When the boss in each stage is defeated, Mega Man will obtain that boss’s weapon. In addition, when certain bosses are defeated, features of Mega Man’s robot dog Rush are added. Rush can use the Rush Coil move from the beginning of the game.

There are also two special adaptors to be found hidden in stages. Keep an eye out!

To equip / use a weapon, Rush upgrade or adaptor, press to display the pause menu. Use to select a new weapon, item or Energy Tank, then confirm the selection with or .

When a Robot Master weapon, Rush upgrade or adaptor is used, the Weapon Energy gauge for the equipped item will gradually be depleted. The Weapon Energy gauge can be refilled by collecting Weapon Energy items. When a new stage is selected, all energy is restored. Furthermore, there is no need to refill Mega Man’s starting weapon, the Mega Buster.

Note: Weapon Energy will not be refilled between stages that follow directly on from each other.

Mega Buster	Mega Man’s standard weapon. You can fire a charged shot by holding until Mega Man flashes, then releasing the button.
Flash Stopper (Bright Man)	Freezes time, allowing you to fire your arm cannon freely at immobile enemies for a short time. Most bosses are immune to its effects.
Rain Flush (Toad Man)	Launches a canister upwards, which explodes into a hail of acid rain, damaging all enemies on screen at once.
Drill Bomb (Drill Man)	Fires a small drill, which explodes on impact. You can also detonate it early using .
Pharaoh Shot (Pharaoh Man)	Fires a small sphere ahead. This can be charged up like the Mega Buster. You can tell the charge level by the size of the sphere above your head. This sphere can also directly damage enemies.
Ring Boomerang (Ring Man)	Fires a large, fast ring ahead, which then snaps back. It has short range, but great speed.
Dust Crusher (Dust Man)	Fires a projectile of condensed rubbish, which is stronger than your normal shots and explodes on impact causing debris to fly off in four directions.
Dive Missile (Dive Man)	Fires a homing missile.
Skull Barrier (Skull Man)	Surrounds you with a barrier which can protect you and damage enemies. It will disappear after one hit.

To use a Rush upgrade, equip it and press to have Rush teleport in front of you. Jump on Rush to springboard (Coil) or pilot him (Marine, Jet). While Rush is equipped, you can fire your arm cannon as normal, but you cannot use charged shots.

Rush Coil	Call Rush and use him as a springboard, allowing you to perform high jumps.
Rush Marine	Rush transforms into a mini-submarine, which allows you to navigate underwater areas with ease. This cannot be activated on land. You can steer Rush using .
Rush Jet	Rush turns into a hoverboard. Jump on top and he will fly forwards. You can steer Rush using ⇧ / ⇩.

Wire Adaptor	Hold ⇧ and press to fire a grappling hook directly upwards, which clings to the ceiling and pulls you up. Disengage the hook by pressing ⇩ or . The hook will damage any enemies it hits on the way up.
Balloon Adaptor	Creates a floating balloon ledge, which will rise steadily and disappear after a few seconds. Use these as stepping-stones to reach great heights!

There are various items to be collected along the way. Some items are found as you progress through the stage, and some will appear when you defeat an enemy.

Life Energy	There are two types of these: a small one which restores two bars of Mega Man’s Life Energy, and a large one, which restores ten bars.
Weapon Energy	There are two types of these: a small one which restores two bars of Mega Man’s Weapon Energy, and a large one, which restores ten bars. The restored weapon energy is applied to the weapon, Rush upgrade or adaptor currently in use.
Energy Tank	You can hold up to nine Energy Tanks, which are used on the pause menu. When one is used, it fully restores Mega Man’s Life Energy gauge.
1 UP	This increases Mega Man’s lives by one, up to a maximum of nine lives.