Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Review –
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Review
Mega Man, our other favorite blue buddy that’s not Sonic, is mostly known for its action platformer games. Going up against Dr. Wily and his zany bunch of villains like Guts Man, Gemini Man, and a bunch of other weirdly named bosses, the blue bomber mostly stuck to the formula over the years but experimented with new experiences in between, like a tactical RPG for the Game Boy Advance called Mega Man Battle Network (Rockman EXE).
Despite the departure from the formula, it definitely hit the spot and was pretty much considered a successful outing that garnered quite a following, as evidenced by future titles in the series. Fast forward to a little over 20 years since the first game, and seeing the multiple “collection” releases from Capcom over the years, fans have been waiting for the day when the Battle Network series would finally drop.
Enter Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection.
Consisting of 10 titles (BN, BN2, BN3 White, BN3 Blue, BN4 Red Sun, BN 4 Blue Moon, BN 5 Team Protoman, BN5 Team Colonel, BN6 Cybeast Gregar, and BN6 Cybeast Falzar), fans can once again relive their childhood memories of the game. But is the $60 price tag of the game too steep for this collection?
The Mega Man Battle Network Collection is split up into two volumes if you’re buying it digitally from the Switch eShop (which we played it on) or in one cart if you’re buying the physical version. All in all, you’ll get 10 titles, but really, Battle Network 3-6 and their “alternate” titles are mostly the same except for some exclusive content on the other akin to the Pokemon games.
In a nutshell, what is Mega Man Battle Network? The premise of the game is simple – Set in the year 200X, the world as we know it is largely dependent on programs called Network Navigators (NetNavi), which sets everything up for cybercrime opportunities. Players take on the role of Lan Hikari, the brave kid that goes on to confront these criminals with the help of his NetNavi, MegaMan.EXE.
As you would guess, the gameplay is one of, if not the biggest difference from the classic Mega Man games, and it biggest draw as well. Players will explore the world and engage in turn-based tactical battles that employ card-based deckbuilding mechanics that really make the game stand out thanks to its depth. Players will be able to choose from randomly selected battle chips that act like abilities, aiding them in battle.
At the time, the battle system was quite unique and engaging. Players will square off against enemies in a 3×6 grid that will see movements shift across tiles while firing to beat the other side. It sounds shallow as is, but with the deckbuilding aspect that allows players to customize their arsenal, the strategic aspect of it all shines bright. Battles are very engaging and will require timing and tactics to pull off properly, and players will be rewarded based on how fast they finish up the enemies.
What’s great about this series is that as you play through every game, you’ll see concrete leaps in features and new mechanics that doesn’t make the game fall into the “you’ve played one, you’ve played all” bucket. There is a valid evolution in the series that really makes succeeding entries a “better” game in that regard.
Of course, being a collection that aims to be the one-stop shop for Battle Network fans, the Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection plays host to a number of quality-of-life features that really add so much value to the already awesome compilation. From the modern-looking menu to the addition of a music player that boasts over 180 tracks, and even a gallery that compiles over 1,000 art-related pieces, Mega Man fans will really get a kick out of all the nostalgia being offered here.
There’s also the usual addition of visual filters that make the game look more “high-resolution” compared to its pixelized counterparts, which is frankly a great touch for more modern players that can’t stand the old-school look.
In particular, the Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection includes a total of 499 Patch Cards, which were only previously exclusive in Japan and in events. Along with the addition of a new Buster MAX mode that powers up the Mega Buster shots, playing through the game should be a breeze for those that want a smooth sailing experience without using chips. Capcom allowing players to just have an absurd amount of power off the bat was a great decision and really makes the game much more approachable.
There is an online component to the game which I was not able to test, so I can’t comment on that for this review.
What we liked:
- Tons of content packed into a great collection
- Amount of new features and additions provide great value
- The “definitive” version for fans
- Unique and engaging gameplay
What we didn’t like:
- Some may find it a little bit too pricey, especially since you can’t purchase the games individually
- No way to turn off random encounters (as a feature) unlike other re-released games
Verdict: Buy it!
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection is a sure-fire treat for fans that have been waiting a long time for a re-release. With a collection that has been packed with features over just simply compiling all games, the effort Capcom has made for this really ups the overall value, despite the “bloat” of 10 games when it is technically just 6.
Mega Man Battle Network shines with its unique gameplay that’s beloved ever since it was released over 20 years ago. There’s almost nothing else quite like it and it really works well with the overall theme and setting of the game.
While some may find the full collection a bit pricey, the Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection is a blast and a worthwhile pickup, especially for fans of the Blue Bomber.
*Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection was reviewed on a Switch with a review code provided by the publisher.