I've always known about them and heard good things but just never played any of them. Not too bothered about going back to the original NES games but can anyone recommend where to start - with titles that are not really dated?
cheers!
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I would recommend Mega Man 2. This is a really basic Mega Man game, and is where the series really took off. The original Mega Man was punishingly difficult, but Mega Man 2 really got it right with being challenging while still being fun.
I played a few on NES when I was younger but found it to be way too difficult, but a few years later picked up the one for the N64 and had tons of fun. That was the best IMO.
I would recommend Mega Man 2. This is a really basic Mega Man game, and is where the series really took off. The original Mega Man was punishingly difficult, but Mega Man 2 really got it right with being challenging while still being fun.
RossRichard
I would also recommend Mega Man 2 as well
If you want to play good Mega Man games, then you should most definelty "be bothered" to check out the NES games. They're the best in the entire series. Mega Man 2 and 3 in particular are considered the pinnacle of the series by many Mega Man fans. Mega Man 5 & 6 are personal favorites of mine, as well.
Definitely this if the OP has a PS2, GC, or Xbox. Two awesome collections.the nes games are the best!
but you can't go wrong with the megaman x collection for last gen consoles
JuarN18
Go for the Megaman Anniversary Collection and X Collection. Recently made it a challenge for myself to beat the two collections, only beat original Megaman 1 so far.
the nes games are the best!
but you can't go wrong with the megaman x collection for last gen consoles
JuarN18
As for as i know,it's not available in Europe.
And that,saddens me.
First off, shame on you.
Second, a great entry point into basic Megaman gameplay (because really, the gameplay is basic but flawless) is Megaman 2 and 3, as others have said, for the NES. I also found 7 on the SNES to be a personal favorite, but I'm most likely in the minority there. Hardest Wily fight in the series IMO.
Third, Megaman X 1-3 are the greatest games ever and should not be missed. Furthermore, these games should be replayed on a daily basis and then carefully put into a display case in your house so they remain intact, and infinitely replayable.
Fourth, dispose of your gaming collection because they all pale in comparison to Megaman X1-3.
The only one I've ever played was Mega Man 6, and that was only for about an hour, and that hour was 12 years ago. I have no opinions on the Mega Man franchise other than they are hard as f*ck. I never made it past the first level in 6 that whole hour I played.
Whatever you do, DO NOT start with Mega Man 9 if you were inclined to do so for whatever reason. I'd start with Mega Man 2 (Mega Man 1 didn't have health bars, and is therefore insanely hard).dante1st
Who told you it didn't have health bars?
First off, shame on you.
Second, a great entry point into basic Megaman gameplay (because really, the gameplay is basic but flawless) is Megaman 2 and 3, as others have said, for the NES. I also found 7 on the SNES to be a personal favorite, but I'm most likely in the minority there. Hardest Wily fight in the series IMO.
Third, Megaman X 1-3 are the greatest games ever and should not be missed. Furthermore, these games should be replayed on a daily basis and then carefully put into a display case in your house so they remain intact, and infinitely replayable.
Fourth, dispose of your gaming collection because they all pale in comparison to Megaman X1-3.
MLBknights58
Agreed. X1-3 were the best of the entire series in my opinion. Not to shabby for a spin-off. After that it kinda went downhill for the X series. I know there a lot of people loved X4 but i just didnt find it as fun as the first three. I have most of the original games but didnt buy X6 b/c X5 kinda killed the series for me. X7 was meh.... But X8 was amazingly fun. As far as the original series goes they I found 7 on snes my personal fav but the remake of the orginal on psp was pretty good as well. Havent tried the new ones that are on psn so no comment there.
I highly recommend picking up the Mega Man Anniversary Collection and Mega Man X Collection on the PS2. Mega Man 2 and Mega Man X are my two faves.
I don't care what anyone says. X4 is the pinnacle of any MMX sidescroller in gameplay, level design and plot. Inafune intended to reach that narrative in the plot from X1 and the timing of the switch to 32-bit consoles couldn't have been better.
Don't forget that he had nothing to do with X after X5 and Capcom completely trainwrecked his original continuity.
Getting the Mega Man Anniversy Collection and/or Mega Man X collection would be the best idea, but if you simply want which games to start off.
Classic Mega Man: 10 followed by 2 followed by 9 followed by 3
10 has an easy mode which is perfect for beginners! 2 has the broken metal blade, which makes the rest of the game easier to handle. 9 was my entry point and one that taught me the brutalness of Mega Man, basically tough love method. And Mega Man 3 due to being a little different from 2 as it throws a few curve balls, like top man's weapon.
Honestly haven't played any X games yet (or rather that I can remember) but X or X4 seem to be good entry points.
I woudlnt' bother with Battle Network or the Zero series as one is a niche title and the other is rather hard. Not bad series mind you, but not good entry points.
I wouldn't bother with the Zero series.
LOSTLEAD8R
QFT. The MMZ series is by no means user-friendly and it specifically caters to those who actually cared about Zero and his exploits in the X series. If you don't care about the X series' plot then just ignore MMZ altogether.
ZX is a good entry point though, especially given the easy mode in it.
Just start with the original. The X series is nowhere near as good.
Heirren
They are nowhere near as good because X is 1000x better. ;)
[QUOTE="Heirren"]
Just start with the original. The X series is nowhere near as good.
MLBknights58
They are nowhere near as good because X is 1000x better. ;)
Na, they don't feel the same and aren't as difficult. The visuals in the original are also more inspired. The color palette lost its originality once it reached 16bit.
[QUOTE="LOSTLEAD8R"]
I wouldn't bother with the Zero series.
QFT. The MMZ series is by no means user-friendly and it specifically caters to those who actually cared about Zero and his exploits in the X series. If you don't care about the X series' plot then just ignore MMZ altogether.
ZX is a good entry point though, especially given the easy mode in it.
MMZ doesnt even go with the X plot, both plots are full of holes that can absorb all life on the planet if put together, and ZX doesn;t help but even that can connect with the X series better than the Zero series. (Question how is X alive after his body dies now that he has no body with data to activate the holograms?)You should pick Mega Man X collection on the PS2, it has the first X title through X6 I believe. My personal favorite is X4.
You can also play Mega Man through Mega Man 8 on the Mega Man Anniversary Collection game on the PS2.
MMZ doesnt even go with the X plot, both plots are full of holes that can absorb all life on the planet if put together, and ZX doesn;t help but even that can connect with the X series better than the Zero series.(Question how is X alive after his body dies now that he has no body with data to activate the holograms?)Jakandsig_
Well, reasons why it's like that IMO is down to two: *SPOILERS FOR THOSE WHO CARE ABOUT MMX-Z GAME PLOTS*
1. Capcom trainwrecked Inafune's intended X series conclusion by releasing X6 without his consent. Forcing him to hastily change part of MMZ's plot. He probably didn't have time to review the whole thing again. If X5 was the actual last game then the intro of MMZ would've seen him revived after his death at the hands of Sigma.
2. MM games, though laughable when it comes to plot depth and people going as far as saying it's not meant for plots, has always been based on ambiguity and vagueness ever since X1. Didn't we all wanna know where Zero came from ever since we saw him blast Vile's mecha in X1? When did we finally get to know his origins? That's right, X4. Zero's plot in that game has been confirmed to be the actual canon. They should've just named the game "Zero 4" LOL!
So yeah, I agree it's not clear how'd Copy X come about. Heck, it's not even clear how exactly the Zero you're playing as on MMZ is not the original "vessel" and how his original ended up destroyed. But my guess is that Inafune left those to interpretation until he actually goes back and wants to do a Megaman series that ties all the knots. Chances are it'll never happen, sadly.
And yes, for those who dunno, plots and continuities in video games for me are a big deal. More so if I'm a fan of said series. I'm most likely a fan thanks to the plot anywho. Don't get me started on ZX's plot, I think he stopped caring about Zero from then on.
I've never played one either. I want to pick up a Mega Man Battle Network game for the GBA soon though. Those games look quite fun.
[QUOTE="MLBknights58"]
[QUOTE="Heirren"]
Just start with the original. The X series is nowhere near as good.
Heirren
They are nowhere near as good because X is 1000x better. ;)
Na, they don't feel the same and aren't as difficult. The visuals in the original are also more inspired. The color palette lost its originality once it reached 16bit.
A color palette loses originality? I'm not sure I follow you there.
16bit looks great. Plays faster, run n gun faster, gameplay feels more satisfying, and have more mechanics at your disposal, eg wall jump, dash, leg powerups throught the series, allowing for more versatile combat and platforming.
Not as difficult? Yeah I'll give you that one.
And they're not meant to feel the same, one is older and slower, the other is much faster paced and focused on upgrades and progression via Dr.Light capsules.
So yeah, to each his own, but X >>>>>>> OG Mega anyday.
[QUOTE="Heirren"]
[QUOTE="MLBknights58"]
They are nowhere near as good because X is 1000x better. ;)
MLBknights58
Na, they don't feel the same and aren't as difficult. The visuals in the original are also more inspired. The color palette lost its originality once it reached 16bit.
A color palette loses originality? I'm not sure I follow you there.
16bit looks great. Plays faster, run n gun faster, gameplay feels more satisfying, and have more mechanics at your disposal, eg wall jump, dash, leg powerups throught the series, allowing for more versatile combat and platforming.
Not as difficult? Yeah I'll give you that one.
And they're not meant to feel the same, one is older and slower, the other is much faster paced and focused on upgrades and progression via Dr.Light capsules.
So yeah, to each his own, but X >>>>>>> OG Mega anyday.
Wait a minute now, let's look at some differences between the X and original Series before we decide erhem: Megaman Has solid gameplay with basic run and gun action with platforming, most of the theme is a more happier-evil type style. This guy wants to take over the world? Ok let's go i am a hero, MEGAMAN (Super fighting robot) aI will stop you Wily. Megaman X has additional gameplay and add-ons which change how some of the gameplay works including wall jumps and has a more in-depth move sets, which originally, although more serious had kind of the original theme but then went on its own for a darker, more mature, and confusing plot that actually helps with how the game has deeper gameplay depth. Megaman Has some interesting abilities and chips. beat can clobber someone, save you from bits, or put a shield over you, he has a chip that allows immunity toward spikes, has Rush Armor and Rush Power armor, as well as the Rush megaman 7 armor which KINDOF combines both. Some other things, he has a rocket arm canon in V (not to be confused with 5) a Pogo stick, an attack cat, a chip that has rush turn into a motorcycle of doom, have rush attack from the sky, have an arrow shot that splits, have a laser shot, have auto canon, and many other things, although it barely changes how you play and the moveset other than the jet Pack add-on, they all seem more like gimmicks then items that increase depth of gameplay (Although the pit saving and the spike control are pretty dern welcome why you take it out stupidcom?) Megaman X has Armor that while gaining it differs depending on game change his gameplay as well, The ride armor chips introduce in Megaman X3 CD (I am sorry the cart version is almost unplayable for jaggy graphics and music alone.) allowed you to summon different types of ride armor to solve various puzzles, and let's not forget armor sets which also peaked at 3. Crash through bricks with your head (Or in X2 find secret passages.) Fire Dual shot plasma cannons, have you heal if your not moving, air dash, air controlled dash (Reintroduced in x6 with blade armor.), then you had the SUPER ARMOR and GOLD ARMOR (Which combined the super armors together) giving you more abilities. While it lacked in X4 the two arm parts provided different results. In X5 we see stages design specifically for Falcon and Giga armor, while Giga has short range buster fire, and has a powerful but close range ultimate, you can push large objects, avoid being killed by spikes, with Falcon, you can fly around stages, and secret items out of reach, you can be invincible, have a piercing ultimate,, and the fact stages were designed with these in mind allowing gameplay depth.. In X6 we have the Blade armor that can pierce with the Saber and have controlled air dashes but they go longer, and they are also an attack as well. Shadow armor sticks to walls, is very fast, and has a multi- directional weapon. In X7, we have an armor that glides, reaching various places in the 3D world. In X8 we have the most CUSTOMIZABLE armor set with 4 different armors. (Although you can't technically customize the ultimate armor) You can exchange you Red armor parts and Blue armor parts combing different abilities, however, if you find all 4 blue and red parts each and add all of them you get the Blue and red armors which are vastly different including the ultimate attack! Also, you have Navigators in some of the games leading you to secret bosses/locations, giving you strategies, background information. In X5 up there are add-on chips you can add to the character changing or adding to their abilities or power, like the jumper, or Abosrb saber, In X7 you can increase speed, defense, power etc. In X8 you can buy characters, OTHER WEAPONS, energy items, stage effected items, customization items, So in this case Depth in gameplay definitely goes to X, although theme is subjective. You might like both, prefer more series to light fun. Now next subject allies. Megaman excluding the Items (item 1 item 2 etc.) has had many allies. Rush can change the game around by offering more depth, turning into a Jet (sometimes controlled) Spring, Submarine for under water stages, etc. Beat is a massive help, Shield, saving you from bits, attacking people with immense power. Roll uh, works at the lab creating numerous chips in megaman 8. Auto, not only does he do what roll does, and has done it more and better providing a large variety of helpful items, but he is a nice allies in the Sky as he takes his Rocket launcher and helps you blast them fools in megaman 8. Protoman Not only helps,he challenges creating a rivalry, and even gives you his Shield, which for better or worse changes the game set-up if you equip it. Bass ( when he teamed up with megaman to beat King) Has a rapid fire shot, can transform with treble, which also allows flight and discovering secret areas and items. You can't get some of the CDs without him.) Dr.Cossak, for creating Beat. Etc. Megaman X pretty much has a lot as well. Zero has helped many times although X has technically saves Zero more times, and Axl. however, the navigators (as annoying as Alia was in X5) in the games are a great help, however actual people helping you are challenging you. the X series doesn't really have much that create a impact like the navigators. Megaman original wins this round. Plot well this is subjective, the X series plot is more serious and in depth but full of holes and just as messed up as the legends series (actually maybe more.) The Original has a more light/slight serious plot that has questions but not that many since most are caused my the X series existence. Megaman for Plot balance. Although some may prefer X's plot anyway. Like me, in some cases. Weapons The X series has some of the most stunning weapons power/speed/animation wise, a large assortment as well, and the ability to change how they work whtehr add-on or charging them. There is also many way to use a weapon, add-ons, ability enhancements. Megaman can sometimes charge weapons to, and may not have as much weapon variety as games like X8 and so on, however, mega mans weapons are more well rounded and can be used in the actual gameplay environment more the the X series which actually adds depth to the gameplay (Like burning a tree to find a secret ladder, changing the whether, destroying terrain etc.) The X series does not deal with world interactivity as much as Megaman does, and in this respect makes the series more strategy wise requiring some thinking and making better puzzles. X series has some but none that makes that much of an impact. Some are actually required to progress in some cases in Original Megaman. Subjective Music: This is subjective although the X series other than the Legends series over all has the longer sound tracks while the majority of Megaman Soundtracks are short as hell and loop all the time.) Also Megaman has the usual upbeat tunes, which also has techno in some games, and some blue type music, while X has upbeat tunes, and techno, then club techno in some games, then Metal. Subjective. Complexity: To be fair going by main series games in both as X barely has spin-offs in comparison, (This includes Megaman and Bass since it is literally part of the story line.) the X series is generally harder and more complex in level design then megaman while megaman is hard as well at times, it usually other than some puzzle and strategy for certain situation, even with that is a more calm and not as OMG EVERYTHING IS GOING TO KILL ME AT ONCE Vibe. The X series is more serious and more of trying to clear a way through obstacles while Megaman is like calm but do this to continue. Subjective Design Stage: Megaman has varied Stage Design. Most of it is balanced and is usually made for Megaman although there are quite a few times where they underestimate Megamans abilities especially for jumping, and I swear Megaman and Bass was made with Bass in mind. Object placement is a tad odd at times, there are more obstacles in your way of gameplay then in the X series although going through them in the X series is sometimes 4x harder. It doesn't really challenge as much and give an even pace. Megaman X series Stage design is like staring at a Wavy line graph. It varies by stage in the SAME GAME. Stage design for X usually is made with it being action packed, with you being able to react quickly, and making the stage around the idea of the boss, not Megaman X. Some people like this approach better. However, balance in stages is random at best and sometimes it changes in the SAME STAGE. Usually obstacles in the way are much harder or require you to go find a hidden object to continue (X6 why you do this to us?) Some obstacles are just irritating, and some require interesting strategy to over come. Now I swear not one stages is actually made with the character in mind completely in any X game except X4, and that's because they were trying to make the game work for X and slapped Zero on later and decided he could go through it just the same which was dead wrong. X6 doesn;t even care who plays the game and the stages in that game are confused as to whether it should be made with the character MIXED with the theme of the enemy MIXED with a stage with quick reactions, MIXED with changing environments depending on the stages MIXED with tons of enemies, MIXED with a survival area MIXED with fast paced puzzles that may kill you (Blizzard wolf fang ice climb with Fire balls falling on you with an enemy shooting you. Arghh..) Although some people may prefer the other, balance goes to Megaman for stage design. Even with the vanishing blocks, and that actually cuts its balance down quite a bit. Design Enemy: Megaman has various enemies of different strengths and attacks. Megaman X does also. But there are a few MAIN differences to how they approach this. In Megaman enemies pop out or attack from NOWHERE. Sometimes you don't see them. Sometimes they hit you into a pit from OUT OF NOWHERE, sometimes they are placed in rows so if you try to take out one enemy while the other is firing you will get hit and then you will get hit again by the original enemy that was trying to get you, and appearing enemies knocking you down toward the bottom of where you just were so you can come back up and hit them again, and i swear some enemies on top of ladders are in such odd positions you can barely see away to attack them WITHOUT BEING HIT (MM&B I am looking at you and Burner mans stage.) Megaman X approaches this with shoving as many randomly skilled enemies at you as it can and sometimes having them off the screen. In some cases, killing a guy that gives you essential parts off the screen so you can't get through a fortress of a certain game (X6 wtf is wrong with you?) Some areas in games of the series will have enemies with different attacks, patterns and/or abilities attacking you at the same time or right next to each other, usually during badly designed stages causing irritation. Their placement is like always in the wrong place but can usually be overcome (excluding X6) so it's not as bad as megamans were you might HAVE tog et attack, but to compensate, they will have a cluster appear out of nowhere. Also pacinfg is odd, I mean you go to an area make it go right into and area that seems quiet and an enemy just kills you sometimes even from behind. To be honest both are just as bad as the other. But the X series has better AI in some cases and the enemies aren't as repetitious. X wins Enemy balance just barely. Design Boss Megamans Boss Design is depending on how you play the game. This also depends on what game you are playing. For example, in Megaman 2, it can actually be very hard if you play normally, but otherwise with one weapons some of the battles aren't as bad. In a game like Megaman and Bass though it matters freaking not. The Robot Masters Vs. Mavericks (X series) is an interesting one. For one in the X series, the weapons are way more helpful and better. While In Megaman they enhance gameplay add abilities (like dashing) and are in some cases powerful. The other thing, Boss order is more important in the Megaman series then the X series (excluding secret items in stages) as in the X series in some cases the weakness weapon is next to useless are hard to use in general. (X7 and the Warfly or whatever his name is.) However Boss rooms in Megaman X are almost always in the boss advantage. (Especially in X6) Heck some times they are not made for the CHARACTER at all. (GATEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE) and I mean literally I swear. Also Megaman X usually has the Boss use more deadly moves as the health becomes low enough while in Some Megaman games this happens, but usually just faster pace of the normal attacks. Megaman boss on the other hand damage you way too damn much in many games and in some cases are almost virtually impossible without some item that allows you to raise defense for a short periods or heal you. However Megman battle are usually much shorter and the attack pattern is random but more predictable. X the patterns are more random then predictable, and in some cases will almost REQUIRE armor. There's a reason people were it all the time and you rarely see X without it, the damage sustained is just ridiculous (although not as ridiculous as Zero and Protoman mind you, depending.) It's basically Predictable pattern plus damage plus being short Vs. Being longer, not being as predictable, boss advantage. Subjectivity on this one. Design: Villain: Main villains in the X series usually either come out of nowhere show up during a stage or have their own stage. Such include Vile Domino and such. Sometimes introduced later in the game. In Megaman the villains are almost always predictable. Mr.X, framed Protoman copy, and Cossak being the ONLY exceptions although some common sense would make you think it;s wily anyway although 6 and 5 did a bit of a better job trying to trick the player. Main villains in the X series has some freaking unfair advantage in power or in stage layout. Like Vile Riding ride armor in a small room then you still have to beat VILE AFTER the armor dies, or the bottomless pit in Gates Stage and the fact characters like Zero love slamming into it. How about the 3 FREAKING TIME we must beat Sigma in X3, and avoid lava. HIGH MAX, most wouldn't have realized you have to attack him twice I know some people to this day that thinks he is invincible. GATE IS INVINCIBLE. You have to spread his own attack at him, but at the same time avoid it yourself. That boss room layout makes aiming a damn chore especially with Zero who by the way loves to nosedive into bottomless pits.Some have just damn large attacks that cover like the whole screen, Dynamo and Colonel do this. Sometimes they show up at the worst times, or in some cases un avoidable after you enter a stage like Bit and Byte and in some cases, Agile, Violen, and Serges. Lumine has a 3rd form after getting beat down by the first 2 which requires you to beat her in 30 second or you just lose and a white light comes and you die. Etc., Etc. Etc. Main Villains in the Megaman Series which included Bass and protoman in some cases . Are different as to say. For one, they aren;t really popping out of nowhere (Except protoman) BUT are not like the X series where you must be fast with reflexes and overpower the enemy. In Megaman series, you usually have to use strategics and attack based on what you have to defeat an enemy, the majority of major villains can take Megaman out in 5 second. King can do it in 3 without the shield. Some main villains are hard to actually hit and require good timing before they out time you. Main villains (or main boss battles) don't usually have Stage advantages but usually just power advantages and lack of an actual hit point. For example, the Wily Saucer series, the Yellow devil series etc. It really depends on move, but when it comes to how balanced the games are to their way of fighting main villains the Megaman series wins as while some may prefer the X series method, it;s all over the palace. That's Tie:4 X: 2 and Original Megaman:4 So It's basically; Balanced game with Strategy involved in the gameplay and battling with light plot and many in game NPCs that help. Vs. Unbalanced Game with fast action with lots of variety, lots of customization, a deeper plot, lack of that much strategy and unfair boss and enemy advantages and questionable stage design. So I mean really some people prefer the X series and some just prefer the Megaman series, but between these two there is by no means a "It should be clear as day one series is better than the other" Both have flaws. Many flaws, although Megaman original is factually a more balanced game. While Megaman X isn't but has plot and fast paced gameplay. Megaman has more strategy, X does not. Megaman has more assistance, X has more playable characters, That impact the game. So remember this as you say one is much better than the other.only played mega man one and am getting my butt handed to meI would recommend Mega Man 2. This is a really basic Mega Man game, and is where the series really took off. The original Mega Man was punishingly difficult, but Mega Man 2 really got it right with being challenging while still being fun.
RossRichard
only played mega man one and am getting my butt handed to me[QUOTE="RossRichard"]
I would recommend Mega Man 2. This is a really basic Mega Man game, and is where the series really took off. The original Mega Man was punishingly difficult, but Mega Man 2 really got it right with being challenging while still being fun.
soapman72
lol, yeah, Mega Man 1 is one of the hardest games in the entire series. It's a wonder it ever got a sequel, because even by NES standards it was frustrating as hell.
Mega Man 2 is much less punishing. I'd start with that one. Story isn't all that important for the series, so it's not like you HAVE to play #1 first to understand it. Dr. Wiley creates 8 robot masters and tries to take over the world. You are Mega Man, a creation of Dr. Light, who goes out and fights against the robot masters and Dr. Wiley. The story changes little through-out the main series.
[QUOTE="soapman72"]
[QUOTE="RossRichard"]
I would recommend Mega Man 2. This is a really basic Mega Man game, and is where the series really took off. The original Mega Man was punishingly difficult, but Mega Man 2 really got it right with being challenging while still being fun.
only played mega man one and am getting my butt handed to melol, yeah, Mega Man 1 is one of the hardest games in the entire series. It's a wonder it ever got a sequel, because even by NES standards it was frustrating as hell.
Mega Man 2 is much less punishing. I'd start with that one. Story isn't all that important for the series, so it's not like you HAVE to play #1 first to understand it. Dr. Wiley creates 8 robot masters and tries to take over the world. You are Mega Man, a creation of Dr. Light, who goes out and fights against the robot masters and Dr. Wiley. The story changes little through-out the main series.
Megaman 1 also if I recall sold and barely did anything for the it's name but still made a sequel. Good suggestion all though megaman 2 is more, funny with it;s stage design, Starting with 2 or 4 (familiar charge aspect) is good, but starting with one or 5 nah.Please Log In to post.
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