Mega Man Battle Network, known as
Battle Network Rockman EXE (
バトルネットワーク ロックマンエグゼ) in Japan, is a video game developed by
Capcom for the Game Boy Advance (GBA) handheld console. It is the first title of the
Mega Man Battle Network series of games. It was originally released in Japan as a GBA launch game on March 21, 2001 and was released later that year in North America and Europe.
Battle Network takes place during the 21st century in a world where society and everyday life is driven by the internet. Users are able to interact with and virtually explore nearly any electronic device using highly advanced, online avatars called "NetNavis". The game follows a young boy named Lan Hikari and his NetNavi Megaman.EXE as they solve a series of crimes instigated by the "WWW (World Three)" organization. Rather than share the platform gameplay of its predecessors, Battle Network is a Real-Time Tactical Role-Playing Game (RPG) in which the player respectively controls Lan in the game's outside world and MegaMan.EXE in its virtual world. Battles take place in Real-Time; special abilities called "Battle Chips" can be accessed to fight off the numerous computer viruses present in the game's cyberspace environments.
Battle Network was created amidst the success of Nintendo's portable RPG franchise
Pokemon. According to producer
Keiji Inafune, the development team wanted
Battle Network to identify specifically with younger gamers by creating a setting resembling the real world and a gameplay model that mixes traditional action and RPG elements.
Battle Network received positive reviews from critics. Its unconventional combat system was given significant praise and its presentation was well-regarded. However, its storyline was met with mixed opinions. The game was followed by a number of sequels and spin-off titles, as well as other media.
Mega Man Battle Network 4, known as Battle Network Rockman EXE 4 (バトルネットワーク ロックマンエグゼ4) in Japan, is the fourth game of the Mega Man Battle Network series, released for Game Boy Advance in 2003 with two different versions: Red Sun (Tournament Red Sun) and Blue Moon (Tournament Blue Moon). In this game, Lan Hikari and MegaMan.EXE partake in a series of NetBattle tournaments.
Mega Man Battle Network 3, known as Battle Network Rockman EXE 3 (バトルネットワーク ロックマンエグゼ3) in Japan, takes place not long after Mega Man Battle Network 2. Deviating from the previous installments of the series, the game was released in two separate versions: White (no subtitle in Japan) and Blue (Black in Japan).
Mega Man Battle Network 2, known as Battle Network Rockman EXE 2 (バトルネットワーク ロックマンエグゼ2) in Japan, is a video game developed by Capcom for the GBA handheld game console. It is the second game of the Mega Man Battle Network series . It was released in 2001 in Japan and 2002 in America and Europe.
Mega Man Battle Network, known as Battle Network Rockman EXE (バトルネットワーク ロックマンエグゼ) in Japan, is a video game developed by Capcom for the Game Boy Advance (GBA) handheld console. It is the first title of the Mega Man Battle Network series of games. It was originally released in Japan as a GBA launch game on March 21, 2001 and was released later that year in North America and Europe.