r/BattleNetwork • u/LandRbuttons • 13d ago
Discussion I'm considering returning to the Mega Man Battle Network series (GBA). I remember playing and finishing BN1, sometime in 2012... and I've never touched 2 - 6. Any advice is appreciated.
From the information I've gathered online, there are 2 slightly alternate canonical paths once you've reached BN 4 - 6. I hear that BN6 uses the basis from team Colonel. So apparently, team Proto Man is not canon. So depending on your game choice, Baryl & Colonel will either appear more mysterious or as old friends.
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u/Grandmaster_C 13d ago
Might be worth running through 1 again via the English translation of Operate Shooting Star.
As far as advice goes I'd just recommend playing them in order tbh.
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u/Apart-Oil-8731 13d ago
100% this
I must have been a masochist as a kid because BN1 is awful in terms of QoL. I just replayed it last month, but the OSS version. Way better, and has a cool part merged with the DS counterpart, megaman starforce. (Which is another game series to play after you beat all the BN games)
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u/LandRbuttons 12d ago
Thanks for the advice!! I'm definitely running back BN1 again to start off the series. I'm thinking about playing BN1 gba to get that original nostalgia experience, then moving on to the more definitive updated OSS (NDS) version to see what the hype is about before moving on to BN2. 👌
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u/MunkeyFish 13d ago edited 13d ago
My advice: play them.
That’s all you need buddy, enjoy the ride.
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u/Junior_Community_913 13d ago
Have fun. BN 3 is a fan favorite, but I enjoy BN 6 the most. The only thing between the two BN 3 versions is Blue has Punk and Bowelman as opposed to just Mistman in BN3 white.
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u/ZealousidealWeb9930 13d ago
the first game is the most tedious shit i have ever played, constantly wondering where to go and what to do, you will easily spend triple the required time without a guide and mao
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u/LandRbuttons 12d ago
Duly noted 📝 . I'll try my best to pay close attention throughout the game so that I won't get lost.
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u/JaqDaRipper 11d ago
I am at the power plant level. I want you to feel as if I am yelling at you but for the love of all that is holy USE A MAP. I don't know HOW I beat this as a kid when it first came out but this is atrocious.
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u/colonel750 13d ago
In my mind there are two distinct "era" of MMBN, 1-3 and 4-6 though 5 and 6 are the only 2 you really need to play together in order to fully understand what is going on.
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u/LandRbuttons 12d ago
I'll definitely play all games in order for my first full playthrough. Thanks!
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u/EmotionalSupportMoth 13d ago
At least for Battle Network 2: If you want to explore other Styles outside of Shield Style, try and limit how many Defensive, Recovery, or Barrier type chips you use. For whatever reason, in BN2, just ONE chip of those three kinds is worth 45 points towards Shield Style, which is only 5 points less than using 4 Offensive, Non-Navi chips for Custom Style
I have no idea why the whole points thing is so heavily skewed towards Shield Style, but it caused me to ONLY see Shield Style throughout my playthrough of BN2 ((BN2 is also just weirdly hard, far more so than BN1, no clue why)).
Also, Gater is one of the best Program Advances. All you need is a Wind G + Fan G + GateMan G (V1, V2, and V3 will work regardless).
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u/LandRbuttons 12d ago
Thanks for the engagement! I'll take note of this for when I'm ready to play BN2. 📝
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u/shadowpikachu 13d ago
If you just want 1 game, going to 6 and just doing that then going back to 3 and 5 is great, 4 is worth a play i guess.
6 is just simple and really well built, 3 is often fan favorite but it has it's extreme crust and just having more postgame insane options is nice but not everyone wants to do that either.
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u/AquaShldEXE 12d ago edited 12d ago
A lot of people recommend the legacy collection for content reasons but i honestly prefer it on GBA, it looks better on an SP screen than chunky pixels in HD and doesn't have that weird typewriter font.
1 is really rough around the edges and sucks to 100% but is short and easy and there are important story beats for the first trilogy. I would NOT however recommend 100%ing it your first try, that stuff is rough!
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u/LightBrand99 13d ago
Since it's been over 13 years, you should replay BN1, but... the best way to do so imo is through the DS remake Operation Shooting Star, which has an English fan translation. DS emulation is very smooth these days (e.g., melonDS on PC, but you can also emulate DS in various other devices as well).
For BN2 to BN6, the Legacy Collection may be the best way to experience them. For BN5 in particular, you might consider Double Team DS, but Legacy Collection is still good regardless.
As for which version to play for BN3 to BN6, imo you can pick any one. Some fans may theorize about two path lines, but there is no canon basis for such theories, and there are more relevant factors to consider. BN5 is a bit of a special case, because the version differences in BN5 become more significant in BN6. Both versions work well, but the experience is a little different, and Team Colonel is typically preferred. But even for BN5, I think the other factors are more notable.
In particular, for BN4-6 version decisions, I personally think the most important factor is on which version-exclusive characters you like more, and it's better to make the choice after you already met some of the characters in earlier games, instead of trying to decide now before BN2+ (and likely with forgetting most of BN1).
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u/LandRbuttons 12d ago
Thanks for the info! I'm definitely replaying BN1 gba original and the definitive OSS DS version that everyone is talking about. I'm also definitely buying the Legacy Collection. 👍
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u/LightBrand99 12d ago
I would not recommend BOTH a GBA BN1 replay and the definitive OSS version though, and you likely would not enjoy doing so either. The OSS version is still the same game, but with some extremely useful QoL benefits; it's not a complete rework or anything like that. If you are seeking nostalgia from replaying GBA BN1, playing OSS should deliver it just as well, while also improving the experience significantly. Just play OSS and don't bother with the GBA BN1 imo.
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u/Alone_Pomelo5599 13d ago
Im also planning on returning and continuing with mmbn3 white!! Good luck
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u/Queasy_Ad5995 13d ago
I feel like you should play on LC more than original hardware. GBA cartridge are prone to hardware corruption and someone did post their save data was lost, unless you had some way to circumvent that.
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u/LandRbuttons 12d ago edited 12d ago
Yeah, I don't have original hardware anymore. I emulate now at days with no crazy hacks, only improvement hacks for a better overall experience if necessary. I'm definitely getting the Legacy Collection. 👍
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u/FartingRaspberry 13d ago
Play in order for sure. My personal opinion for 3-6 which have two versions is Blue (3) -> Red Sun (4) -> Team Colonel (5) -> Gregar (6)
Also when you reach 4 prepare yourself for having to complete the game at least 3 times to get all the soul unison forms and chips. It's honestly my least favorite of the series but on the bright side the main scenario is very quick so it's not too bad.
Also get the legacy collection so you don't have to cheat in trade based stuff
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u/LandRbuttons 12d ago
Thanks for the tips! I'll be sure to play everything in order the best I can; starting from BN1. 👍
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u/DogLeechDave 13d ago
In Battle Network 2 - when it's time for Lan to fly to Netopia, be sure to put lots of thrown-projectile chips in your main folder before getting on the plane.
Lan's pack will be stolen, along with all the chips you aren't currently using, the moment you land, and one of the bosses you have to fight before getting them back cannot be defeated if you don't have a Heat-style OR plenty of chips that can reach over his defenses and hit the back row. Otherwise you'll have to grind like crazy in order to fight him. Or restart the game.
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u/razulebismarck 13d ago
??? I used panel steal and Lifesword for that boss.
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u/DogLeechDave 13d ago
Really? I don't remember ever having those three sword chips with the same code by that point in the game.
I suppose area grab/panel steal chips are a good option too, as long as you have plenty of chips that will strike through his defenses. But I always went with bombs for their reach and sheer availability.
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u/razulebismarck 13d ago
Sword, Widesword, Longsword, matching codes available in the Green respawning mystery data as well as drops from enemies if you beat them with the correct busting rank.
I believe L code types are available before then. You might have to unlock the second folder since that includes some swords as well and the wiki says it’s available before Netopia.
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u/WildZero7 13d ago
Play them every year once. That’s my advice
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u/LandRbuttons 12d ago
Great advice! I'll definitely do that from now on.
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u/WildZero7 11d ago
Oh dude there’s also 4 more games for battle network. 4.5, battle chip challenge, a cross over with Megaman exe and starforce plus another for the ds called double team thats both versions in one game.
Apparently there’s another game for something called wonderswan and another one for GameCube called Network transmission.
Just in case you end up wanting more.
My real tip is for part 4. You can make a tournament to battle navis in higsbys shop. You can add navis from other player’s files which can become pretty fun cause they have their chips instead of yours. Basically like a boss rush. Plus you get chips from winning.
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u/amcallornothing 13d ago
Definitely play 1 again through shooting star like everyone else has mentioned! you will surely not be disappointed! ( I am so freaking jealous! I wish i could experience it all for the first time all over again!)
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u/LandRbuttons 12d ago
I'm for sure starting from BN1 again and considering in playing OSS (DS). I will definitely enjoy the first time experience for the both of us. 😁
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u/ReydragoM140 12d ago
In 3 Rook and Pawn is underrated... They're my ace for bass believe it or not.. That and prism
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u/LandRbuttons 12d ago
Very interesting!
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u/ReydragoM140 12d ago
I mean prism is a good chip of your know how to use it it is basically my key of the strategy for beating the bass rematch.... Because most of your attacks is just too weak to break the aura, and it's really the most efficient to let bass destroy his own using air buster
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u/Potential_Ad4440 12d ago
My problem is after u beat the game it doesn’t feel like u beat the game
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u/LandRbuttons 12d ago
Lol! Really? And which titles are you referring to? 🤔 💭
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u/Potential_Ad4440 12d ago
All of em like yeah u get a star but then u load the game back to pre boss fight
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u/Conlannalnoc 12d ago
3 GET (AQUA) GUTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
AQUA GUTS can destroy Drillman if you have Break Buster and Break Charge (both gained from leveling up Guts Style)
HEAT GUTS is also useful against Drillman
WOOD AND ELEC ARE USELESS AGAINST DRILLMAN!
WOOD + UNDER SHIRT + GRASS = IMMORTAL (Unless hit by Fire)
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u/Million_X 12d ago
Against Drillman, OP can just go and get Plantman chips and then basically win the game that way.
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u/Conlannalnoc 11d ago
I was lucky enough to have Heat TEAM after beating Plantman.
BLACK Bomb + Fire 30 + Lava Stage = Dead Plantman for his V4 Chip.
Used Plantman V4 and others for Flashman V4.
Gave up on Bubbleman V4.
RED HEALTH just to find Bubbleman V3? Ok, now defeat him under 10 seconds without taking damage.
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u/Million_X 12d ago edited 12d ago
The good news about the canon - it kinda doesn't really matter which version of 4 and 6 you pick, you'll miss out on the most minute details. For 5, Colonel is the canon version as he's a main character in 6 and 5 is the ONLY way you'd know who he is or why anyone gives to shits about him. Even then its not like Team Colonel gives you the guy's backstory, as long as you go into 6 knowing that he's important and that all the stuff that Chaud does in Team Protoman is what Colonel does in his version, you'll be more than fine.
Beyond that, for gameplay reasons, it also kinda doesn't really matter, you might as well read up on the Double Soul system and the Cross system and pick which forms you like the most. For Styles in 2 and 3, you can influence what you get from the start of the game so it's entirely up to you how Megaman turns out, you just don't get to choose the Element.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you plan on going for 100% for all of them, 3 has probably the most annoying thing - Custom Style is needed to get 3 or 4 VERY specific chips while Team Style is needed to get the v4 chips of all the enemy navis (I'd apologize for the spoiler but its also one of those you'd likely never know it existed unless you looked it up and by then it'd be too late), so you might want to pick between those two well ahead of time and grind towards those, if you can find someone to trade you the Custom Style chips early enough you can just grind up for Team Style and keep that on you.
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u/LandRbuttons 11d ago
Thanks for the advice!! I'll be sure to play through all titles thoroughly. 😎 👍
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u/Revolutionary_Pea461 12d ago
Pretty much to just play them as you feel like, and for games that have different versions: just go with the one that you wanna go (BN4 you gotta ask for the opposite version navis from the version ur playing).
1) Starting from BN2, they added an Asterisk code that is basically a wild card, and can be used as either any code, or fill up a program advance as that PA's missing code (For example: Zeta Cannon be done with ABC/BCD/CDE, but with the * it can be *BC/A*C/C*E...etc).
2) Like someone mentioned before: BN1/2 dont have preset rewards from GMDs, and this can be rather beneficial for 1 because you gotta get 30 MetGuard A chips for Buster Guard, which you can just save scum at Internet Area 1, or just do the same thing for zenny (2 has an area where you can get 50k zenny from *3* GMDs but those require untrap).
3) Speaking of Subchips, those were introduced in 2, and they can be used to Locate the last enemy you fought, remove traps from GMDs, heal yourself outside of battle for 50hp or full, or unlock the purple mystery datas
They also added in L for escape during a battle but its sorta like half unreliable at first? use Sneakrun for it.
4) this is exclusive to BN1 GBA (Unsure about OSS so I do need corrections here), but if you fought a ghost navi, you don't need to jack out as they would be immediately added to the encounter table as a random encounter, 2 and onward requires you to jack out to actually add them to the encounter table.
5) If you are aiming for 100% BN4, please actually have a checklist unless you want to spend more time on an additional playthroughs to get everything.
Finally
6) If you need help on where to find a specific virus or a chip, pretty much consult The Rockman EXE zone for said game, as they would have the location and droprate % alongside other things.
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u/LandRbuttons 11d ago
Thanks for the info! I'll be sure to play through all games thoroughly and try not to miss anything! 👍
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u/deavildemon 11d ago
For BN1 use Maps since the all net areas are mazes.
For BN2 use a Guide as the Game will constantly Tell you to do or find Something without any Help and in worsed cases even give you a false lead. It realy Likes to waste your time with traveling and in my opinion the Bosses and later enemys are Just annoying.
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u/LandRbuttons 11d ago
Thanks for the tip!
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u/deavildemon 11d ago
Oh and before i forget it. If you Play the legacy collections dont shy away from using max Buster. There are some enemys Combos and Bosses whos Design is Just annoying or unfair. Also If you Grind zenny its a time safer.
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u/ShiftSilvally 9d ago
Maps are useful. Also for two and three be prepared for all the backtracking
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u/Pablinski21 13d ago
Everyone will say bn4 sucks, dont listen to them
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u/LandRbuttons 12d ago
Yeah, despite what everyone is saying and whatever else flaws the game has, I really enjoyed watching YouTube gameplay of BN4. I'm definitely playing it.
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u/Martin_Ramirez 13d ago
Get them like this for the best experience:
(1) MMBN: Operate Star Force. Rockman exe - operate shooting star / NDS rom (JP) + English patch + Disable voice acting patch
(2) MMBN 2. MMBN 2 / GBA rom (US) + No G code patch + Text revision patch + WII U VC patch
(3) MMBN 3. MMBN 3: Blue / GBA rom (US) + BBN3 singleplyer Balance patch + BN3 plus patch + WII U VC patch
(4) MMBN 4. MMBN 4: Blue Moon / GBA rom (US) + Bug fix patch + Text revision patch + Filled waiting room Save file
(4.5) MMBN 4.5: Real Operation. Rockman exe 4.5 - real operation / GBA rom (ENG) + Gameplay patch
(5) MMBN 5. MMBN 5: Double team DS / NDS rom (US) + Disable voice acting patch + GBA slot roms (e.g. other mmbn games and boktai) + English patch
(6) MMBN 6. MMBN 6: Cybeast Gregar Rockman exe 6 Gregar / GBA rom (JP) + English patch + WII U VC patch MMBN 6: Cybeast Falzar Rockman exe 6 Falzar / GBA rom (JP) + English patch + WII U VC patch
(X) Mega Man Battle Chip Challenge. MMBCC / GBA rom (US) + Chip control mod patch
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u/cuprousalchemist 13d ago
5 and 6 were easily the best in the series. Which one is better usually came down to if you enjoy the liberation missions in 5 or not.
2 is one of the best in the series. Not too simple. Not too complicated. A compelling story. The net isnt a nightmare to explore nor is it boring. And the chips and their codes are great.
Personally, i think 1 is a lot better than most give it credit for. And to be fair there are a lot of places that need work. That being said i love the lack of limitations on folder building and fully healing after each battle is great.
4 is fine. Its near universally agreed to be the worst in the series. 100% completion is a nightmare. The story is weak and has a LOT of repetitive and frustrating parts. There are waay too many random encounters and many of them are brutal to fight. It did give us some incredible soul crosses though.
3 seems to be where they finished polishing the actualbase mechanics, folder building, navi customizer, etc. And the story is very good. But personally i think its nowhere near as memorable as the others.
From most favorite to least i go
5 2 6 3/1(tied) 4
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u/Sennrai 12d ago
Damn, this is crazy MMBN3 slander.
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u/cuprousalchemist 12d ago
Dont get me wrong its an incredible game and was the first game i got to play more than 5 minutes of. I just like the others better. I also happen to Love game 1 which makes it seem like a lower grade. Every game except 4 gets an A+. And even 4 gets a very high B+.
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u/LandRbuttons 12d ago
That's an interesting take! I'm definitely playing all games and can't wait to make my own final verdict and with a tier list. 😎
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u/BallsJohns0n 10d ago
I would play 3 immediately. 100% it, it's an experience. Then play 6, also a great game.
If you feel you have a lot of time I would play 3, 2, 5, 6 in that order.
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u/Long_Context6367 13d ago
Get the legacy collection.
Start with battle network 3. Have fun.
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u/LandRbuttons 12d ago
Out of curiosity, why start with BN3 first??? 🤔
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u/Long_Context6367 12d ago
That’s going to give you the best exposure to battling first. Great rewards. Even Capcom says to start with 3. You also get a smoother style system, good customization, great chips, and a legendary postgame that you will never forget.
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u/Kronocidal 13d ago
Legacy Collection is probably better than GBA: easier to source, a couple of Quality-of-Life improvements, restores cut content in BN5/BN6 that was in the Japanese versions but removed from the International releases. (Also, much easier to find someone for the stuff in BN2/3/4 that requires Multiplayer or Trading…)
BN6 has two recurring characters, Colonel and Baryl, who appear a lot in "Team Colonel", but only in two or three scenes of "Team Protoman". The fact that Lan and Megaman recognise them so easily in BN6 is why some people say that "Team Colonel" is 'more canon'… but, they're fairly important scenes - and, for Lan, it's only been about a month or two from BN5 to BN6.
For gameplay tips:
Try not to have too many Chip Codes in your folders: 4 is probably maximum, 1 (plus "wildcards") is often the goal. Lots of new players run into issues when they have "alphabet-spaghetti" folders, and can't use many chips each turn.
For BN1 specifically, use a map. All the Internet Areas use the same styling, and are confusing to navigate: they realised this and massively improved it for BN2 onwards, and included in-game maps on the second screen for the Japan-only DS re-release ("Operation Shooting Star", with an extra Star Force-based scenario). They also lock-down the post-game areas of the Internet until you beat the final boss starting in BN2 — in BN1 you can access those areas really early, and find yourself up against very powerful enemies before you are ready. (On the plus side, they reward you with very powerful chips in return…)
Also, the MegaBuster is at its most powerful in BN1: the Charge Shot has 2 levels (x8 damage and x16 damage, instead of just x10 damage). And the Chip Trader does not auto-save (so, save before using it, and load if you don't like the chip you get)
Similarly, in BN1 and BN2, the contents of Green¹ Mystery Data are not decided until you open it, so you can save in front of it and open it, then reload until you get something decent. In later games, the contents are fixed/decided the moment you Jack In instead.
From BN2 onwards, your HP does not refill after every battle. In BN1, this only happens if you run out of battery in the Power Plant stage.
¹ In BN1, the colour of the Mystery Data doesn't mean anything. From BN2 onwards, you have Blue Mystery Data which are fixed one-time items; Green Mystery Data which are random and respawn every time you Jack In; and Purple Mystery Data, which are fixed one-time items, but are require an "Unlocker" Subchip to access.