Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,524 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • music
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1 Game Cover
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"Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1" is a nostalgic collection of the first six games in the Battle Network series, featuring classic grid-based battles and chip collection. Pre-purchase now to experience or rediscover these highly-regarded action RPGs. The game is planned to release at a price of around $40 US dollars, with regional variations in price.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,524 reviews
story52 positive mentions
grinding64 negative mentions
  • The collection brings back nostalgia and allows players to relive their childhood experiences with the classic Mega Man Battle Network games.
  • The gameplay is unique, combining real-time action with deck-building mechanics, making battles engaging and strategic.
  • The addition of Buster Max mode helps players breeze through tedious sections and random encounters, enhancing the overall experience.
  • The first game is considered rough and tedious, with high encounter rates and confusing navigation, which may deter new players.
  • The inclusion of Enigma DRM has caused performance issues and made the game unplayable for some users, particularly on the Steam Deck.
  • There are complaints about the lack of quality-of-life improvements, such as remappable controls and the inability to disable screen borders.
  • story208 mentions

    The story across the Mega Man Battle Network series is generally viewed as a mixed bag; while some entries, particularly Battle Network 2 and 3, are praised for their engaging narratives and character development, others are criticized for being simplistic or convoluted. Many players appreciate the nostalgic elements and the interconnected lore, but also note issues like excessive backtracking and fetch quests that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the series offers a blend of fun gameplay and a story that, while not always deep, provides enough intrigue to keep players invested.

    • “The story throughout Mega Man Battle Network from 1 to 6 is absolutely fantastic, the soundtrack is stellar and the characters are unique in their own way.”
    • “The deep lore and interconnected storylines unfolded through multiple installments, creating a tapestry of memorable moments and surprising twists.”
    • “Each game contributes to the overall narrative while also telling its own story, making for a rich and engaging playing experience.”
    • “Instead, the stories are dumb, all the characters are dumb. The main character's parent trusted the first true AI with a soul using the DNA of their deceased son in the hands of their other kid as if a life is a toy, and that's pretty much all you need to know about how dumb the plot goes.”
    • “The story {which in total fairness, is not really this series' selling point} is incredibly generic and bare bones, with bizarre typos and mistranslations riddled throughout.”
    • “The story is not very interesting and pretty dry when it comes to progression.”
  • gameplay160 mentions

    The gameplay of the Mega Man Battle Network series is widely praised for its innovative blend of deck-building, card mechanics, and real-time action, creating a unique and engaging experience. Players appreciate the depth and customization options introduced in later entries, particularly the navi customizer and style change mechanics, which enhance strategic gameplay. While some entries show signs of age, the core mechanics remain enjoyable and nostalgic, with many players finding the series to be a standout in the action RPG genre.

    • “It's a combination of deck building + card (chip) + real-time action gameplay, all in one, creating a truly unique experience you will never find anywhere else.”
    • “The gameplay has seen a major improvement with a lot more depth into the style system and further ability to customize Mega Man with the NaviCust. The story is really good with a lot of really cool moments following the events of Battle Network 2, and there is just so much to do; the postgame content will have you coming back for a while.”
    • “This game provided countless hours of thrilling and strategic gameplay wrapped in a cybernetic universe that felt both futuristic and familiar.”
    • “The second half of the deal isn't much different than the first, and the gameplay kinda gets old in volume.”
    • “This one dungeon would probably be 80% of the game if one played this game blindly without a guide, and that’s keeping in mind that other dungeons also have annoying time-wasting mechanics and the same obscene encounter rate.”
    • “In terms of gameplay, there isn't anything new; it's basically the same gameplay from the GBA games.”
  • music78 mentions

    The music in the Mega Man Battle Network series is widely praised for its catchy and memorable tracks, often described as "stellar" and "top-tier" for the Game Boy Advance hardware. Players appreciate the inclusion of a music player and the ability to set specific tracks as the main menu theme, although some express disappointment over the lack of options to change in-game background music and the mono version of the soundtrack. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant highlight of the collection, enhancing the gameplay experience.

    • “The soundtrack is stellar and the characters are unique in their own way.”
    • “Buy it just for the music alone.”
    • “The unique strategy-action RPG gameplay of these games is fantastic, and the music is top-tier for the hardware it was up against.”
    • “Not a huge fan of its soundtrack though, but its redesign on how Mega Man and the characters look are pretty well thought out.”
    • “Another minor annoyance is with the soundtrack currently being a mono version of it, rather than stereo which was in the GBA games.”
    • “The only real issue I have with this mega-port is that I can't use the DS styled songs a la Double Team DS.”
  • grinding66 mentions

    The grinding aspect of these games is often described as tedious, particularly in the earlier installments, with players frequently encountering random battles and lengthy chip collection processes. However, the introduction of the "buster max" mode significantly alleviates this grind by allowing players to deal increased damage, making combat more manageable and speeding up the overall experience. While some players appreciate the nostalgia and challenge of grinding, many recommend utilizing the buster max feature to enhance enjoyment and reduce frustration.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “What you get for paying for this version is the ability to cheat, as the games are grindy.”
    • “Unfortunately it can be grindy; if you somehow end up with a style you don’t like, you’ll have to fight 200+ battles to get another one.”
    • “The 'network' is where you'll spend the most time, which is unfortunate because endless random encounters make the game feel grindy.”
  • graphics58 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many appreciating the nostalgic pixel art style and the enhancements made through HD filters that improve resolution while maintaining the original charm. Some users noted minor graphical errors and distractions, such as borders, but overall, the updated visuals and additional features like artwork galleries and music players were well-received. However, a few critics expressed disappointment, feeling that the graphics did not meet modern standards and lacked significant upgrades.

    • “The legacy collection's updated graphics leave an impressive visual impression.”
    • “The fun and spirit of the original games are captured by the pixel graphical style, but the current display capabilities and better resolution improve the overall visual experience.”
    • “The filter on by default keeps the visuals faithful while essentially upping the resolution of the old games.”
    • “The graphics suck.”
    • “The graphics suck ass and look horrible.”
    • “My rig is an i9, 32 GB RAM and 3070; I shouldn't have graphical issues especially on an old game like this.”
  • optimization24 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many users expressing frustration over severe performance issues attributed to the DRM software "Enigma Protector," which they claim degrades performance and blocks modding capabilities. While some players report no noticeable performance hits on platforms like PC and Steam Deck, others have experienced stuttering and other issues, particularly when using HDR monitors. Overall, the introduction of DRM has led to significant dissatisfaction among users, with many labeling it as anti-consumer.

    • “As far as I can tell, there is no noticeable performance hit on either the PC or the Steam Deck.”
    • “At the very least, it doesn't seem to cripple performance because it's a collection of GBA games.”
    • “No issues performance-wise on multiple platforms, cloud saving is very nice.”
    • “I don't even really care about the whole DRM thing; I care that I can't even play the game due to horrific performance issues.”
    • “Crapcom adding DRM to their games to make them unmodable and ruining performance is unacceptable.”
    • “Capcom decided to become anti-consumer using a new DRM 'Enigma' from a dubious Russian company, which blocks modding and reduces performance.”
  • stability12 mentions

    Overall, the game collection is well-made and performs well on the Steam Deck, though users have reported occasional slowdowns and freezes that can result in lost progress. Additionally, some audio and visual glitches have been noted, but these are expected to be addressed in future patches.

    • “Well made and runs great.”
    • “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “Really fun game, and runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “This game collection slows down and then freezes at random times, making me lose all my progress.”
    • “There are a few audio and visual glitches, which will likely be patched out soon.”
    • “This game collection slows down and then freezes at random times, making me lose all my progress.”
  • humor6 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mix of dark and absurd elements, featuring scenarios like hijacked vehicles and explosive threats, which may not resonate with everyone. However, characters like the "funny blue man" and clever jokes, such as the "jack in" gags, provide a comedic contrast to the more serious situations, eliciting genuine laughter from some players. Overall, the humor is polarizing, blending slapstick with darker themes.

    • “I like the funny blue man and his comic antics (getting epilepsy after killing someone).”
    • “I will never stop laughing at the jack-in jokes either.”
    • “It starts off harmless enough, but then you get to a bus getting hijacked and turned into a bomb, a plane getting hijacked in an attempt to crash it (with you on it), a friend of yours literally getting locked up in a gas-filled house, and bubble man literally trying to blow up your friend (in an explodey way, not in a funny way), and so on.”
  • emotional4 mentions

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the characters and narratives, often shedding tears upon completing the stories. The struggles of Lan, his friends, and the unique netnavis resonate strongly, fostering a significant investment in their journeys.

    • “I shed a tear each time I complete one of the stories.”
    • “We became emotionally invested in the struggles of Lan, his friends, and the intriguing NetNavis they encountered along the way.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The replayability of the game is enhanced by the potential for a full HD remaster, which could introduce more playable characters, thereby encouraging players to revisit the game for new experiences.

  • character development2 mentions

    Character development is highlighted through the vibrant and inventive cybernetic settings, with users appreciating the distinctive and recognizable character designs that enhance the overall experience.

    • “It's fun to explore the vibrant and inventive cybernetic settings, and the character designs are recognizable and distinctive.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Buy Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1

Play time

6hMedian play time
6hAverage play time
6-6hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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