The worst way to play the Zero series. Control scheme was not updated to make use of the four button layout of the DS, making it a gimped experience. Controls should be B to jump Y to slash, accept no compromise, at least not from a definitive collection, GBA at least had the excuse of only having two face buttons, so at least you're not instinctively reaching for a button that doesn't do anything.

The new easy mode feels pretty sad. Hypothetically, it might serve well enough in its purpose, a digest version that lets you experience the storyline of all four games in a timely manner. But it's such a disappointment to come face to face with a boss that used to be such a memorable and exhilarating fight only to find that it was turned into a complete pushover that's over in a matter of seconds. It's such a waste. It also doesn't make any sense- I'm interested in Zero series's storyline, sure. But that's because I played the X series. Which I originally got into by playing Mega Man X on the SNES. Which I liked for the gameplay and which got me invested into the story/lore as a result of that. Therefore I should play Mega Man Zero series for the gameplay first, original difficulty and all, and if I'm not willing to do that then I probably wasn't serious about it anyway in which case I arguably don't deserve to experience the story nor should I need to.

This collection has actually made it harder for me to make a proper attempt to play through the series in the future, whether via the Zero/ZX Collection on Switch or by some other means. My enthusiasm was severely drained once I played the first game, again, far enough to get my first elemental chip. Ah, remember? You can assign an elemental attribute to your saber without it changing its attacks or appearance, straight out of the 'it is fire because I said so' school of videogame elemental system design. Meh. The game is maybe not the classic to the extent that I remember it.