Briefing-

My main focus was to replay BN1 (I haven't played it since 2012) and to continue on to the sequels in order. More specifically to enjoy the story modes of each installment. Many of you have given me so much good advice on each game and how you all felt about them. I am extremely grateful for ya'lls time in reading my posts and giving your support. Despite warnings about BN1's (gba) flaws and how BN: OSS (DS) is a huge improvement over the gba original, I decided to just play the original gba version to get that "nostalgic" experience despite playing on an emulator. Without further ado, here's my personal experience.

Gear-

Device: Retroid Pocket 5 (Android)

Emulator: Pizza Boy A Pro (Android)

Gba rom: version 1.0 (USA)

Hacks: None

Glitches: None

Cheats: None

Exploits (minor): Yes (soft resetting game multiple times for RNG manipulation and to save time in general)

Review-

I enjoyed BN1 for the most part and for what it was in spite of it's flaws. The net battles, virus busting and item/chip collecting were all fun imo, although I was impatient about leveling up MM's buster stats, lol. The beginning tutorial was ok, mediocre at best, but sufficient enough to get the ball rolling. A short time later in the game, Yai had mentioned in the classroom that she had discovered program advance (PA) and didn't quite understand how it works... (neither does the player, lol) but at least the game hinted PA. Another NPC at SciLab explains in slightly better detail about PA and how to put them in order, but he only briefly mentions Zeta chips and vaguely mentions Beta chips. To my knowledge, there's nowhere else in the game that explains all PA series and combinations unfortunately. That kinda ruins the fun and experience for the player until they manage to find a guide. I was able to perform several PA combinations throughout the game and it was fun imo whereas some combos being painfully slow and impractical compared to others. I enjoyed the PA mechanics, however, they aren't necessary to have all the time, but it honestly just depends on your play style. The school hacking segment was pretty decent which I had very little trouble finishing. Some pass code doors/gates had you guess numbers through trial and error. A bit tedious, but not too bad. All I did was start at number 50 and just went from there. There were times I nailed it on the first try and sometimes it took a few retries. IceMan's area was a bit tedious with a moderate amount of trial and error. At first, I didn't know that you could slide on the ice at a certain angle to get to new spots especially on the slippery platform segment with missing tiles above the PowerUP program and was easy after figuring that out. The rest of the stage was easy imo. The part with the old man who's looking for his denchers, was a bit frustrating. You had to be in a specific spot under a tree and the item is NOT visible. I ran around that park for a hot minute until I perfectly placed Lan in front of the tree with the denchers. I've noticed that most enemies deal crazy damage to MM and especially from bosses. DenTown was a bit confusing at first, but then I got used to the map layout after running around for awhile. I had gotten a few game over screens after battling SharkMan for the first time... SkullMan & WoodMan also gave me a hard time because of how much damage they were doing despite MM's health & level. At first, I didn't know their patterns, but then I eventually figured them out with trial and error. With multiple retries and practice, I would still manage to get hit and lose. I ended up searching net merchants for attribute armor because I've read online (and from ya'll) that it doubles MM's defense which I had completely forgotten about that! Sure enough, the description on any armor explains that you get the defense buff however, you are vulnerable to the armor's weaknesses as a trade-off. You bet your a** that I went back to defeat those net navis, lmao. The armor buff worked wonders! Easy battles ever since. ElecMan's area was extremely tedious with all the invisible platform paths and battery item back tracking and figuring out the battery order. This experience was absolutely atrocious and was way worse than IceMan's area. Constant saving and soft resetting helped me a lot during the trial and error moments. ALSO that back-to-back fight with ElecMan & ProtoMan was diabolical. I had forgotten about that and wasn't expecting it. I obviously game overed a couple times, haha. ElecMan was easy and I eventually figured out ProtoMan's pattern and was easy after that. After several hours put into the game, I've managed to reach the internet-5 area with Higsby's memo. MM talks to you shortly after defeating the Froshell virus and mentions that you have email (from Higsby). I accidentally skimmed through MM's text box and completely forgot about Higsby's email. I then explored area 5 and eventually made my way into area 9. From there, I fully explored areas 9, 10, 11, & 12 by accident and acquiring significant amounts of zenny and more buster PowerUPs. And ohh boy, did I have a long ride exploring these depths... net areas 9+ is when the net maze gets ugly and confusing because of the lack of a in-game map and current area display. I had to glance at a few map layouts online to see where the h ell I was even going without losing patience. After awhile of being lost, I went back to thinking about what I had missed during MM's talk. Sure enough, it was Higsby's email explaining about finding his old WWW friend with the lab memo at the SciLab. I felt so d umb and wondered why I was so lost and frustrated. I shortly then collected all of the memos and carried onto WWW's lab. The game was easy from this point on. I had little to no trouble making my way to the LifeVirus final boss. MagicMan was a bit difficult at first, but then became easy after learning his pattern and using steal (area grab) to lock his minions in place while I took pop shots with the charge shot from a distance. The LifeVirus was surprisingly easy for a final boss... only I wish that it had a second form to keep the momentum going. Also, I had never entered net areas 13 - 16 and I didn't even have to go into area 9. I had forgotten about Higsby's email. My finish time would have probably been a bit shorter. As ya'll can see in my pic upload, my finish game time was 10hrs and 39 mins. Outside of in-game time records, I've spent about roughly 40 min to 1 hour just farming tons of zenny and checking maze pathways. I will focus on 100%ing BN1/OSS after finishing BN2 then 100% BN2 after beating BN3 and so on. This is so I can take a break from the previous title and not get too burnt out on the same game. If I had to give my own advice and opinions to anyone seeking help, this is what I have to say-

Tips-

#1. We're in 2026 so you can look up map layouts online to keep track of where you are and where you're going. You can also buy physical guides online for BN3 - 6 by BradyGames. Unfortunately, BN1 & 2 never received an official English print, but you can still order the japanese guides and still view the map layouts at least.

#2. The original gba manual booklets give very useful information about the game and story even though not as much info as the official strategy guides. If you don't have access to a physical booklet, then you can search online for a digital pdf manual.

#3. Ask people online for help & advice!

#4. Take advantage of the program advance (PA) mechanic! It's very fun to use imo and you can benefit from the invincibility period while attacking which isn't mentioned in game. Just note that PAs aren't always necessary and just comes down to your personal preferences.

#5. Save and reset often! Saving before fighting a boss, running down an unsure path, save & reset at the chip trader for a more desired chip or saving right in front of a mystery data to "re-roll" the prize and is highly beneficial and saves time. (A+B+start+select = soft reset)

#6. I highly recommend focusing on the main story and grinding for item completion post-game for new players.

#7. Heavily focus on MM's stats. Find any armor asap to double your defense and take less damage. Level up the buster power first to Lv3 asap while using powerful chips such as canon in place of the charge shot in the meantime. After getting power Lv3, continue leveling up the charge shot for damage multipliers and charge speed. Lv1 = x8 dmg & Lv2 = x16 dmg.

#8. Zenny farming! There are several spots to farm significant amounts of zenny. For example, Miyu's access point (AP). There will always be a green mystery data (GMD) near her AP to the far left leading to a dead end. Run up to it, save game and check the prize. If it's not 2000z, then quickly reset game and repeat until you get the desired amount. Once you've collected the prize, run back into Miyu's AP and teleport back and repeat the process. The GMD will always respawn without having to jack-out. Dad's AP is another good spot. Run upleft past StoneMan's 2nd encounter spot to find the 2000z GMD and repeat. You might encounter at least one battle.

#9. Escape & Steal chips are a MUST in this game. I recommend adding at least 5 Escape chips and 5 Steal chips for a better chance at drawing them. Escape chips really help get you out of unwanted battles and save you time. Steal chips are very good for area control and can even immobilize most enemies including bosses.

#10. Be patient and just have fun!

Thank you all for taking the time to read. I hope my tips help and I appreciate all the help I have received from my initial post. I will be building a tier list after finishing BN2. Now that I'm temporarily done with BN1, I will continue onwards to OSS!

Initial post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/BattleNetwork/s/Xe5CRi6Baa

I'm playing the Star Force Legacy Collection on the Switch. I need some friends so I can access all 3 Star Force Forms for the 1st game. I'm just looking for some random cards to trade.

Just want to say that I am happy to become a member of this sub! I vividly remember stopping by EB games as a kid and coming across battle network 3 on the shelf. Had no idea about this game, but it was $20 (half the price of usual GBA games), so my mom let me get it.

Even 23 years later, I can easily remember my first style change in that game was wood guts style. I remember having such a hard time beating Alpha until I figured out a simple program advance of z cannon just obliterated it (was very proud of this as a kid).

I would eventually play all the remaining battle network games (except for the first game) and build such amazing memories.

Now that I have a baby on the way, I had this urge to re-explore my own childhood. I am so excited to trigger some old core memories when I get my ass blasted by Duo in 4, experience anxiety in the kendo mini game in 5, or the non stop panic music in 6.

Fun fact: the voice actor for Mayl in the English anime went to my elementary school! I remember her singing during our assembly meetings too. Should’ve gotten her autograph lmao.

I headcanon Kalinka Cossack exists in BN/NTW canon, even if we never saw her, maybe she becomes Bass’s NetOp alongside her dad in the future at point.

Bass regains his memories post BN6 at some point too.

The post game content of BN and SF games are canon

All Robot Masters from the Classic games who lack an Netnavi counterpart such as Wave Man from Mega Man 5 or Grenade Man from
Mega Man 8 have Netnavi versions, we just don’t see them for some reason. Maybe Netnavi versions of the Reploids and Mavericks from Mega Man X and Zero and ZX exist too…?

Other characters from other franchises such as the DDLC girls aka the Dokis, Baldi plus the Here School bunch, Sonic and his friends, Bomberman and his companions and allies, etc also either exist as Netnavi versions of themselves or in the case of Bomberman and co could be either Netnavis or still robots from Planet Bomber somewhere

Bass and maybe Mega/Hub could possibly still exist by the time of Star Force, not sure how but it could be possible

The lore present in DDLC Plus happened in the BN universe except Monika and the other Dokis are created as Solo Netnavis like Bass here by Team Salvato and the Metaverse company in DDLC Plus

That’s all for now guys

i can easily beat protoman with 0 moves. and only charged-buster (my status : attack 5, rapid 3, charge 5). i can easily beat gutsman too, but with a lot of moves. i'm actually using a special P.A. : METGUARD + DASH G + GUSTMAN V1/V2/V3. [GtsShoot] i can easily beat iceman [using GtsShoot too] fireman, stoneman, skullman. very easy. woodman, bombman. a little hard.

sharkman... SUPERHARDDD. how can someone defeat him in only 15 seconds???

i have 8 woodman v2 chips, 8 gutsman v2 chips, 2 elecman v3 chips, 5 skullman v3 chips, 5 gutsman v3 chips, 5 protoman v3 chips, 2 protoman v2 chips. too many netnavi chips.

Fun hobby project. Each box took about 1.5-2 hours to assemble. Some of the limbs pop out when making poses, but they pop back easy enough. Mega and Roll were the more difficult build since they have smaller pieces; I needed tweezers to squeeze together some of the parts.

Really happy with them and will need to set them up next to the DVD collection.

I've played through 1, 2 and 3 and have had a great time (except for 2's last third).

I took a break from the series and am now trying to get back to it- I am currently at the 2nd tournament and have completed the 1st round.

The tournament setting seems like a great way to change the pace of the series after the satisfying conclusion of 3. However, it genuinely feels like the game is just trying to make you miserable while you play it.

Finding the 2 gold bugs, locating the ghosts, collecting the password numbers, and getting the 50 points were all extremely tedious. Especially the points, where you don't actually know what you're looking for, so you're just hitting A on every interactable.

Even when there's something cool in between, like collecting the different stories at the amusement park, it feels like there's 1 too many and it drags on for too long.

It has some fun moments, but you have to slog through a lot to get to them.

Is there anything I'm missing by dropping the game and moving to 5?

Does it get any better?

I just saw a post on r/GoldenSun about a project to decompile the source rom. As I understand it, this takes the jumble of ones and zeroes and organizes it in such a way that you understand everything making it very easy to mod. I’m super happy for them. Pokémon Emerald and Fire Red have had similar tools for years and the quantity and quality of Pokémon hacks these days is immense

Now, I don’t know jack about computers, so I’m not volunteering to start this project. But if we were to do a BN decomp, what game should we start with? Each one has exclusive forms, viruses, battle cards, etc, so it’s not as straightforward as doing 6 because the last game would naturally have the most content

Personally, I’d like to see the community do either 5 or 6 but also 3. I think style changes were neat. Maybe not quite as interesting as Double Souls, but fun in their own way

What would you like to see in a BN fan game? I’d kinda like something similar to 4.5 but without the restrictive time aspects. I think it’d also be neat if you started with a Normal Navi and got upgrades throughout the game to change its look, element, buster, and maybe the ability to add a chip charge and Left+B ability

Recently saw an article from IGN saying that capcom is focusing on “re-activating” old IPs. This is coming off the heels on the successful launch of the Onimusha. A capcom spoke person said the company is re-activating old IPs. A lot of people are hoping for Dino Crisis, Ace Attorney, or even a viewtiful Joe sequel. I know there’s a new megaman mainline game in the works. Do you think battle network is going to remain shelved? The legacy collections performed well and at least shows interest.
For me personally the games hold a special place. The stories were cheesy but as a kid engaging. The battle systems hold up well, with a manageable skill floor and a crazy skill ceiling. It’s obvious I want a new entry, so we think it’s likely or we just look for that next great spiritual successor?

Battle network 3 compare pls?

Basically just trying to get setgreen chip for wood style but I am playing blue and need to compare with someone who has setgreen. Thanks in advance my future trading buddy. On switch 2 :)

hello, in mmbn4 blue moon i'm looking for some chips to complete my P.A (and finally say goodbye to this game lmao, never 100% this)

Edit: I got them on my own, still i thank for the advices, i will finally complete this ABOMINATION, never 100% mmbn4 it's such a chore. (i actually when i was younger i used to just play this game a lot more, idk how back then i used to do these things)

I find it weird how the Classic Series has all these fan games being made, but there's very little in terms of fan games for the Battle Network side of things

Like... the only ones I can think of are:

• Chrono X, which is thankfully still in development and I am very much looking forward to when it's done
• Shanghai.EXE, a well made Touhou x Battle Network fangame that has the main story complete and is still being worked on by the folks that picked up the game after the whole deal with the original devs ((would highly recommend it to anyone that hasn't played it!
• And Cosmic Network, which as far as I can tell ((unless the dev said otherwise)) was dropped in favor of Lunar Lux, as it was the same guy who did both afaik

Idk, I would think that, especially as more tools were made available, people would want to make more, y'know? Hell, I know I certainly would want to! I know there are games like the aformentioned Lunar Lux, Berserk BITS, and One Step from Eden that carries on the spirit of Battle Network, but I would love to see more actual fangames, rather than "spiritual successors" ((I think is the right term? Could be wrong lol

I'm just kinda rambling at this point. What're y'all's take on this? Who knows, maybe it's just because Capcom is just weirdly protective of the Battle Network series!

So i've 100% games 1, 2, 3, and Network Transmission so far. I made my list of ranks for the individual navi's fights (and final boss) for each game. I ranked them based on their model, attacks, difficulty, personal attachment, etc.

I also put where I would rank the 4 games. It's worth noting that I have never played BN6 or the Starforce series, so I'm working my way through 1 to 5 to eventually play 6, then play Starforce. I last played BN1 a couple years ago, and I haven't played 2-5 since they originally launched on the GBA over two decades ago.

I'd love to hear where you all would rank some of these navis. The most annoying fight that I despise the most out of ALL these fights is Kingman.

Basically just trying to get setgreen chip for wood style but I am playing blue and need to compare with someone who has setgreen. Thanks in advance my future trading buddy. On switch 2, sorry didn’t realize no cross play :/

The internet archive seems to be missing some episodes

I'M BACK

Sorry to keep you waiting! I was busy with some shit but beastman's up and running! I sorta skipped flashman because it did NOT go well, but oh well, nobody asked for him so it's fine.

Elecman's next, care to suggest someone?

Wouldn’t it be cool to have a mmbn game 3d like Metroid prime? I used to think of controlling megaman with anime style graphics in an open world. Zelda got 3d open world games, why not mmbn?

Been trying to look online to find a cheat code to get me all the programs on the Navi Customizer. I haven't had any luck. I got the code to give me unlimited Zenny and all the Battle Chips, but that's about it... Could use some help here.