Capcom’s Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1 is a blast of early 2000s energy, bundled with love, polish, and a healthy dose of NetNostalgia™. Longtime fans finally get a convenient way to revisit the first three entries in this underrated series, while newcomers can finally understand what the hype was all about.
These aren’t your typical side-scrolling Mega Man adventures. The Battle Network games combine real-time tactical grid-based combat, RPG progression, and narrative-rich exploration. You play as Lan Hikari and his NetNavi, MegaMan.EXE, battling viruses in a world where everything is connected to a futuristic internet.
Each title builds on the last:
-Battle Network 1 lays the groundwork with solid, if slightly clunky, mechanics.
-BN2 improves pacing and introduces more strategic depth.
-BN3 (White/Blue) is where it hits its stride, with refined systems, better storytelling, and deeper customization.
Together, they make a strong case for why this series still has a loyal fanbase two decades later.
The real-time battle system is still one of the most unique in any RPG. You move MegaMan on a 3x3 grid, dodging enemy attacks and countering with a custom folder of "Battle Chips" (think deck-building, but more kinetic). It’s fast, rewarding, and surprisingly deep — especially in BN3, where chip folders, styles, and programs allow serious experimentation.
Capcom didn’t just port these games — they polished them:
-Visual Filters: Optional smoothing that modernizes the look without compromising the pixel art.
-Art & Music Gallery: A rich archive for fans, with official art, concept sketches, and over 180 music tracks.
-Buster Max Mode: A toggle that multiplies your damage for those who want to breeze through the grindy bits (perfect for replaying or casual players).
-Online NetBattling & Chip Trading: A standout feature. You can now battle and trade with friends online — a dream come true for longtime fans.
What Holds It Back:
-While this is a faithful and well-executed collection, it’s not perfect:
-The early games can feel slow, especially for modern players unfamiliar with GBA-era design quirks.
-The storytelling in BN1 and BN2 is charmingly dated — think cheesy dialogue and tech-world tropes galore.
-Quality-of-life improvements like fast-forwarding or more robust save states would’ve gone a long way for marathon sessions.
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1 is more than a nostalgia trip — it’s a preservation of one of Capcom’s most experimental and ambitious spin-offs. Whether you’re a veteran of the Net or a curious newcomer, this collection delivers dozens of hours of strategic action, heartfelt storytelling, and internet-era charm.
It’s not just a great collection — it’s a reminder that MegaMan.EXE deserves a future as much as he deserves this celebration of his past.
Jack In. Power Up. Play This.
Rating: 9/10
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