Ahh Mega Man Battle Network, you odd little RPG type experiment with interesting card and grid-based combat you. It is hard to believe that you will be turning 20 years old next year. What started off as an interesting spin-off to the mainline Mega Man games ended up spawning quite the amazing legacy for itself. With over 6 games and a spin-off series of its own, in the Star Force games, Battle Network remains one of my favorite iterations of the character to date. Sadly, the franchise has remained dormant for a long time with no return in sight.
Well, that is until Capcom recently let it be known that they are seeking partners to help them release 20th-anniversary merch based on the franchise! What has been revealed so far is that Capcom is planning to release toys, apparel, action figures (which doesn’t go in the toy category somehow?), and other consumer goods. No mention has yet been made about the possibility of a legacy collection for the titles but I am personally feeling it will be more a matter of “when” and not “if” at this point.
With the original Mega Man, Mega Man X, and Mega Man Zero games getting the compilation treatment, Battle Network is the next biggest name in the franchise to re-release. If it does end up happening I seriously hope they find a way to combine the later entries into single games again because the whole copying Pokemon thing was just a joke. Yes, I know there were different story elements in a few of the later games but still. Definitive version that stuff Capcom!!
My tangents aside, I am happy to see that Capcom hasn’t forgotten about the Battle Network games and do play to give them some hype next year. I am again hoping it will lead to a compilation but we will have to see how that plays out. Now if only Capcom could remember that Mega Man Legends is a thing as well.
