Review: MEGA MAN BATTLE NETWORK LEGACY COLLECTION is a Fantastic Way to Bring Classic Game Boy Advance Games to Modern Platforms
Capcom has launched Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection. This collection gathers all 10 mainline Battle Network titles from the Game Boy Advance and puts them on Nintendo Switch, PC (via Steam), and PS4 for modern audiences. You can purchase the entire collection of 10 games from your favorite retailers like GameStop (affiliate link) for $59.99 or if you’re more selective of your titles, it is split into two collections on the digital storefronts for $39.99 each. Capcom was kind enough to provide me a digital copy of the collection on Nintendo Switch, but the thoughts below are based on my own experience.
The story of Mega Man Battle Network takes place in the near-future interconnected world of Net Society, which depends upon computer programs known as Network Navigators (or NetNavis for short) to manage everything from their toasters to city power grids. While the networked age brings all manners of convenience, it has also imported a wave of cybercrime eroding all levels of society. In these games, players take on the role of Lan Hikari using his PErsonal Terminal (or PET) and his NetNavi, MegaMan.EXE, to confront the culprits behind these cybercrimes. Players control MegaMan.EXE as he explores the net, engages in grid-based combat, and uses Battle Chips to gain devastating abilities capable of deleting even the most sinister viruses.
This game runs really well on the Switch and is a lot of fun. Before we get too into the gameplay, let’s talk about the boot-up menu and interface. So when you buy the entire collection, you’ll basically download two games. Volume 1 includes the first three entries in the series (both versions of Mega Man Battle Network 3 are included) while Volume 2 has the other six entries (two versions for each game). When you first boot up, you’ll be greeted with Mega Man.EXE and can either access the menus for things like the smoothing filter, Buster MAX Mode, language settings, and more or you can access whichever of the games you like. It’s fun.
The smoothing filter is one that I’m sure many fans are going to argue about. Personally, I can understand why some would like to use it and others wouldn’t. I’ve included screenshots below to show the difference of it off and on so you can make the call. I think I might slightly prefer the filter.
The Buster MAX mode is basically giving you an Easy game mode. Your MegaBuster will deal 100 damage to enemies instead of 1. It’s a big upgrade that definitely makes things easy. One nice thing is that you can easily toggle it on and off at any time from the menu that opens when you press the ‘-’ button. As I’ve run around the net, I’ve definitely considered throwing it on just because of how tedious the random battles can be.
On that note, let’s get to more of the actual game. The story is fun. I’m still in the first game, but there’s a lot of content to these games. Basically, you play a 5th grader who ends up having to stop a worldwide terrorist organization. You do have to endure the trials that are the fifth grade like kids demanding you battle them before you can access their own server. At least as far as I’ve gotten, everything feels low stakes for the most part and then you’ll hit a high stakes part that lasts for 10 minutes or so. I like that give and take so far.
The battle system has you send Battle Chips to Mega Man which can be used together if they are multiples or if they have the same chip code. This means that you have to strategize beforehand as you decide which chips to have in your Folder and which will stay in your inventory. Most of the time these chips will be things like a cannon, a bomb, or even a sword, but eventually you’ll get access to other characters like Gutsman, Roll, and even Bass, each with their own effects. In addition to sending chips, you are on a 6x3 grid with a 3x3 section for Mega Man and 3x3 section for enemies at the start. Certain chips can adjust the size of your space and that helps keep things a little different. It’s a pretty unique combat system and is a lot of fun.
Another plus is the music is just fun to listen to. The graphics also work really well for the style of game and especially when you consider that these were originally on the Game Boy Advance.
There are only a handful of complaints I have and they’re pretty minor. First, the amount of random battles can be very tiresome. Second, there’s no map of the net. As you get later in the game and explore more and more of the net, it can feel like a labyrinth and gets very easy to get lost. I wish there was an in-game solution. Thankfully, there are sites like Dr. Cossack’s Lab that has maps you can look at for help.
I know I’m probably sounding like a broken record, but at the end of the day, Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection is a lot of fun. There are some small complaints I have, but if you want to revisit these beloved Game Boy Advance games or play them for the first time, this is a fantastic collection.
