Mega Man Battle Network

Mega Man Battle Network launched on the Game Boy Advance in March 2001, arriving just as the handheld console was hitting stores in Japan. Developed by Capcom, this title split from the series' platforming roots to explore a tactical role-playing experience set in the 21st century. Here, society runs on the internet, allowing users to project avatars known as NetNavis into cyberspace to interact with devices. Players guide eleven-year-old Lan Hikari through the real world while controlling his digital partner, MegaMan.EXE, inside the network. Together they hunt down computer viruses and stop the criminal WWW organization from causing chaos. Combat unfolds in real-time on a six-by-six grid where strategy matters more than reflexes. Instead of traditional weapons, players equip Battle Chips to unleash attacks or defenses during these encounters. This system drew inspiration from the collectible card game boom of the early 2000s, encouraging fans to build custom decks called Folders. Producer Keiji Inafune aimed to create a setting that felt grounded in reality for younger gamers while blending action with RPG elements. Critics praised the unique battle mechanics and presentation, though some found the story less compelling than its gameplay loop. The game later appeared on the Wii U Virtual Console and joined the Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection in 2023.[edit]