I have never played the original Mega Man, outside the PSP remake that Capcom released. I started this franchise with the second game, then the third, and I checked out onto the Sega Genesis before the fourth was released.
I remember how satisfying it was completing a Mega Man game. The sense of accomplishment was high. It felt very non-linear at least early on until you figure out there is indeed a specific order to beat all the bosses in.
Memorizing where to jump and when was the hardest part. So many cheap deaths in this franchise. 😂 I wouldn't change a thing though as that is part of what makes it so satisfying to beat any of the 8-Bit entries.