The Mega Man Legends game series, known in Japan as Rockman DASH, saw its first release in late 1997 on the PlayStation. It was followed by a prequel spin-off in 1999 and a direct sequel in 2000, after which the series came to an abrupt halt. With the exception of a Japan-only cell phone game and cameos appearance in other Capcom titles, the Legends series remained dormant until September 2010, when at long last a sequel was announced. Fans watched and even participated in the Mega Man Legends 3 development, only to have it canceled in July 2011.

The Mega Man Legends games follow MegaMan, known in Japan as Rock, a young digger who explores and battles his way around a wide, ocean-dominated world filled with sinister sky pirates and treacherous underground ruins. With its rich story and an unforgettable cast of characters as three-dimensional as the graphics, this action platforming adventure was a major evolution of the wider Mega Man franchise. Unfortunately, its revolutionary nature contributed to its downfall, as many fans did not feel it was "Mega Man" enough.

For a broader look into the in-game world, see our Intro to the World of MM Legends.

The Misadventures of Tron Bonne - 1999
This prequel spin-off is set a year before the original Mega Man Legends, and stars his sky pirate rival, Tron Bonne. When a loan shark takes her brothers captive to work off their debt, she raids and plunders to gather the money needed to set them free.

Mega Man Legends - 1997
The first entry in the series introduces digger MegaMan and his family. When their airship crash lands on Kattelox Island, it's fortuitous timing as MegaMan helps defend the island from the Bonne family of invading air pirates who are chasing rumors of the island's legendary treasure.

Rockman DASH Big 5 Island Adventure - 2008
Set between the first and second main games, this quirky, Japan-only entry was released in installments on cell phones. The graphics and gameplay are extremely limited due to the platform, and much of the game revolves around silly interactions between the Caskets and the Bonnes.

Mega Man Legends 2 - 2000
Set a year after the original, this game ramps up the story to a grand level, as MegaMan encounters mysterious Ancients who prove to tie in with both his and his sister Roll's pasts. MegaMan travels and battles across the world in the quest for the four Keys that will unlock the answers.

Mega Man Legends 3 - Cancelled
The long-awaited continuation would have presumably seen MegaMan back from Elysium to battle the reawakened Elder System. The unreleased Prototype Version was likely intended to stand on its own (similar to MML2's Episode 1) and set the stage for new players, but it's possible the developers may have worked its content into the full game.

In the wider scope of the entire Mega Man franchise, the Legends games are indicated to be set roughly 3,000 years after the X/Zero/ZX series, putting them around 51XX to 55XX AD.

Other officially licensed games in the Legends series include a few Cell Phone Mini-Games and the bizarre Adventure to Save the Planet, though they are are not considered canon.

Despite an overt lack of games compared to its brethren franchises, the Mega Man Legends series has made a remarkable number of cameo appearances in other games. Likewise, despite its lack of commercial success, the series has produced a large amount of physical merchandise.