Mega Man Battle Network 5
Mega Man Battle Network 5 | ||
---|---|---|
Composer(s) Akari Kaida (GBA) | Mitsuhiko Takano (DS) | |
Series | Mega Man Battle Network | |
Platform(s) | Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS | |
Release | Game Boy Advance
| |
Genre(s) | Real-time tactical role-playing | |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team ProtoMan[b] and Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Colonel[c] are 2004 role-playing video games developed and published by Capcom for the Game Boy Advance (GBA) handheld game console. Combined, they make up the fifth mainline installment in the Mega Man Battle Network series, and follows Lan Hikari and his NetNavi MegaMan.EXE, as they attempt to take down Nebula, who have kidnapped Lan's father and taken over the internet, with an anti-Nebula task force.[9]
Development on the game started during the localization of
Mega Man Battle Network 5 received a generally tepid reception from critics, with many finding it too similar to previous entries, and criticizing the aging presentation; in mid-2005, both versions were combined and re-released for the
Gameplay
The gameplay of Mega Man Battle Network 5 is largely similar to that of its predecessors. The player explores the real world through
When MegaMan.EXE encounters viruses, the screen shifts to a battle screen set on a six by three square grid. On the left half of the grid is MegaMan.EXE, and on the other half are his opponents. MegaMan.EXE has a relatively weak arm cannon, the Mega Buster, but his main weapon is Lan's library of battle chips, one-use-per-battle special attacks which grant various abilities, including simple attacks, attack enhancements, defensive effects, terrain transmogrification, or assistance from other NetNavis. Before battle, the player can construct a folder consisted of thirty battle chips, and each turn of a battle (measured by a timer bar at the top of the screen), the player is presented with a random selection of these chips. The player can send MegaMan.EXE up to five battle chips, after which the battle takes place in real time, with MegaMan.EXE, controlled by the player, attacking with his Mega Buster, dodging attacks, or activating battle chips from his queue.[9][10]
MegaMan.EXE joins a team led by either Lan's and MegaMan.EXE's rivals
Much like previous games in the series, Game Boy Advance copies of Mega Man Battle Network 5 can connect using the Game Boy Advance link cable to battle head-to-head or to trade battle chips.[9] Battle Network 5 also includes content referencing the Boktai series by Konami,[12] such as a crossover battle feature unlocked by combining both Battle Network 5 and Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django.[10]
Plot
Protagonists Lan Hikari, MegaMan.EXE, and their friends are called to the SciLab headquarters at the request of Lan's father,
While investigating another disturbance at SciLab, Lan meets either Chaud (in Team ProtoMan) or newcomer Baryl (in Team Colonel), who recruit him to begin forming an elite team of NetNavis to liberate the Net from Nebula's control. In a series of almost identical scenarios between games, Lan meets other powerful NetNavi operators and recruits them. Through the team's efforts, the Net is liberated and peace is restored. However, the occupation of the Net is revealed to be a diversion by Nebula while searching for "The Hikari Report," a research project by Lan's late grandfather, Dr. Tadashi Hikari.
The Hikari Report is explained as a research project by Dr. Hikari and
The liberation team storms Nebula's base and confronts Regal in the SoulNet server room. After defeating Nebula Grey, MegaMan seals it and the room begins to self-destruct. While the heroes evacuate, Yuichiro stays behind to speak to Regal about their fathers' research while a mysterious voice causes the SoulServer to overload. In Team ProtoMan the speaker is unseen, while in Team Colonel it is revealed to be Dr. Wily, who also commands Baryl to rescue Regal and Yuichiro. Because of the SoulServer overload, Regal has many of his memories erased and is now a peaceful scientist. With their NetNavis back, Lan and MegaMan's friends join them on the Net.
Development and release
Development of the game started during the localization of
Team ProtoMan released in Japan on December 9, 2004, and June 21, 2005, in North America.
The Game Boy Advance versions were re-released onto the
Double Team DS
In May 2005, it was officially announced that both games would be coming to the Nintendo DS as Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team DS,[21] although its existence was previously hinted at when Nintendo Power added an untitled Battle Network game to its release schedule.[22] It was released in Japan on July 21, 2005,[5] and in North America on November 1, 2005.[4] Its European release was announced on February 7, 2005,[6] and released there on April 13 of the same year,[7] while its Australian release was delayed to April 2007.[8]
The port was led by main planner and writer Tsukana Takenaka, who stated that the port was requested by the producer with the initial goal of combining both GBA versions into one game, and including an opening movie.[5] The DS version was also handled by 14 other people.[21] The DS version added additional content, including a new transformation for MegaMan called SolCross, unlocked by putting a copy of Boktai 2 into the GBA cartridge slot,[e] and being able to swap between Navis during fights.[23][24]
The developers had also experimented with fully 3D graphics early on, as 3D models of several areas and characters were found within the data of
Reception
Aggregator | Score |
---|---|
GameRankings | 69% (ProtoMan)[27] 66% (Colonel)[28] 70% (Double Team)[29] |
Metacritic | 67/100 (ProtoMan)[30] 66/100 (Colonel)[31] 68/100 (Double Team)[32] |
Publication | Score |
---|---|
Eurogamer | 6/10 (DS)[23] |
Famitsu | 36/40 (GBA)[33] 31/40 (DS)[34] |
Game Informer | 7/10 (GBA)[35] 7.8/10 (DS) [36] |
GameSpot | 7.1/10 (GBA)[9] 7.5/10 (DS)[37] |
GameSpy | (GBA)[38] (DS) [11] |
IGN | 6.5/10 (GBA)[10] 6.5/10 (DS)[4] |
Nintendo Power | 6.5/10 (GBA)[39] 7/10 (DS)[40] |
Sales
Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team ProtoMan was the 48th best-selling game in Japan in 2004 at 255,061 copies.[41] This version was also the 55th best-selling game in the country in 2005 at 211,099 copies. Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Colonel placed at number 65 with 194,472 copies sold that year.[42] Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team DS was the 52nd best-selling Nintendo DS game in Japan in 2005 at 106,526 copies.[43]
In North America, Team ProtoMan was the tenth best-selling handheld game in July 2005.[44]
Critical response
In North America, both the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS versions of Mega Man Battle Network 5 met with fairly tepid critical reception, with Metacritic and GameRankings aggregate scores ranging from 66% to 70% across the different versions.[30][31][32] Reviewers often highlighted the reuse of aging art and sound assets from previous games,[11] comparing them unfavorably with contemporary Game Boy Advance games,[9] as well as the lack of changes from its predecessors.[9][10][11] Craig Harris said in his review for IGN "Even though this sequel can be considered "the best in the series so far," Battle Network 5 doesn't add all that much to the series."[10]
The Liberation Missions were also poorly received by reviews, with the general consensus being that they only slowed down the game;[10][11][6] GameSpy wrote that "Perhaps if the concept was fleshed out in a spin-off title, the experience would feel more complete than the "Final Fantasy Tactics for Dummies" vibe that it has now."[11] Reviewers praised the DS version for including both games, as well as a new map system, but felt that it hadn't utilize the system's features to their full extent.[11][4][23]
Reviews weren't entirely unfavorable, especially when the topic of Battle Network 5's predecessor was concerned. GameSpot, in particular, compared it favorably with Battle Network 4.[9] Japanese reviews were also more positive, with Famitsu scoring the GBA and DS versions 36/40 and 31/40 respectively.[33][34]
Notes
- ^ Although some sources lists its European release as April 14,[6] other websites indicate certain regions got it on April 13.[7]
- ^ Japanese: ロックマンエグゼ5チーム オブ ブルース, Hepburn: Rokkuman Eguze Faibu Chīmu Obu Burūsu, lit. 'Rockman.EXE 5: Team of Blues'
- ^ Japanese: ロックマンエグゼ5チーム オブ カーネル, Hepburn: Rokkuman Eguze Faibu Chīmu Obu Kāneru, lit. 'Rockman.EXE 5: Team of Colonel'
- ^ Japanese: ロックマン エグゼ5DS ツインリーダーズ, Hepburn: Rokkuman Eguze Faibu Dī Esu Tsuin Rīdāzu, lit. 'Rockman 5 DS: Twin Leaders'
- ^ In the Japanese version, this requires Shin Bokura no Taiyō: Gyakushū no Sabata, which didn't release for Western territories.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d "Capcom's million-seller title "Megaman Battle Network" going into a movie! Third edition of TV animation "Megaman" on the air from October 2004!". Capcom. September 21, 2004. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
- ^ GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- ^ a b c カプコン、チームバトルとなった「エグゼ5」シリーズの第2弾 GBA「ロックマン エグゼ 5 チーム オブ カーネル」. GameWatch (in Japanese). February 21, 2005. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Harris, Craig (November 1, 2005). "Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Protoman – Game Boy Advance Review". IGN. Archived from the original on April 2, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ a b c d Protodude (January 30, 2022). "The Humble Beginnings of Mega Man Battle Network 5 DS". Rockman Corner. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c Bramwell, Tom (April 5, 2006). "Nintendo release dates". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ a b "Mega Man Invades Europe". Nintendo World Report. February 7, 2006. Retrieved August 11, 2022.
- ^ a b Jastrzab, Jeremy (March 19, 2007). "Updated Australian release list, 19/03/07". PALGN. Archived from the original on March 24, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Frank Provo (July 8, 2005). "Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Protoman Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 16, 2007. Retrieved July 7, 2005.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Craig Harris (June 27, 2005). "Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Protoman Review". IGN. Archived from the original on November 2, 2006. Retrieved September 27, 2006.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Theobald, Paul (November 1, 2005). "Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team DS Review". GameSpy. IGN. Archived from the original on October 22, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2006.
- WIRED. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^ Midnite (March 19, 2018). "EXE 15th Ann. Special Staff Discussion! (Part 1)". The Rockman.EXE Zone. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
- ^ "あれから18年。江口名人が語る「ロックマンエグゼ」の描いた未来が現実になったワケ" [Eighteen years have passed since then. Master Eguchi talks about how the future envisioned in "Rockman.EXE" has become a reality.] (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. January 17, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2022.
- ^ Niizumi, Hirohiko (August 16, 2004). "Capcom to release Mega Man Battle Network 5". GameSpot. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved March 8, 2007.
- ^ "Mega Man Battle Network 5". The Cutting Room Floor. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- Siliconera. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- Siliconera. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ McWhertor, Michael (June 28, 2022). "Mega Man Battle Network 10-game collection coming in 2023". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
- ^ Kim, Matt (June 28, 2022). "Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Announced for Nintendo Switch". IGN. Retrieved June 29, 2022.
- ^ a b "Capcom's famous blue bomber battles his way onto the Nintendo DS in MegaMan Battle Network® 5: Double Team". GamesIndustry. Gamer Network. May 18, 2005. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
- Nintendo of America. November 2004. p. 22. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
- ^ a b c Parkin, Simon (September 19, 2006). "Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team Review". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on November 11, 2006. Retrieved September 26, 2006.
- ^ Morcos, Antoine (February 6, 2006). "Interview Megaman". Gamekyo (in French). Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ Protodude (November 3, 2011). "Lost 3D Battle Network 5DS Revisited". Rockman Corner. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ "Why was this game cancelled so early?". Capcom Unity. Capcom. February 22, 2009. Archived from the original on February 28, 2009. Retrieved August 14, 2022.
- ^ "Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Protoman for Game Boy Advance". GameRankings. Archived from the original on July 11, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ "Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Colonel for Game Boy Advance". GameRankings. Archived from the original on July 13, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ "Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team for DS". GameRankings. Archived from the original on July 10, 2010. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ a b "Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Protoman for Game Boy Advance Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 15, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ a b "Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Colonel for Game Boy Advance Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 15, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ a b "Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team for DS Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 26, 2009. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
- ^ a b Riley, Adam (December 1, 2004). "Japanese Reviews | Nintendo Hot in Famitsu's Eyes". Cubed3. Archived from the original on October 16, 2012. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- ^ a b Freund, Josh (July 13, 2005). "News – Latest Famitsu review scores". GamesAreFun. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- ^ "Reviews: Mega Man Battle Network 5". Game Informer. No. 148. Sunrise Publications. August 2005. p. 108.
- ^ "Reviews: Mega Man Battle Network 5". Game Informer. No. 151. Sunrise Publications. November 2005. p. 180.
- ^ Provo, Frank (November 8, 2005). "Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team Review for DS". GameSpot. Archived from the original on July 4, 2010. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- ^ Theobald, Phil (June 20, 2005). "Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Protoman". GameSpy. Archived from the original on July 1, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-04.
- ^ "Now Playing: Mega Man Battle Network 5". Nintendo Power. No. 194. Nintendo of America. August 2005. p. 81.
- ^ "Now Playing: Mega Man Battle Network 5". Nintendo Power. No. 198. Nintendo of America. December 2005. p. 124.
- ^ "2004 Top 100 Best Selling Japanese Console Games". The MagicBox. Archived from the original on 2010-11-28. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ "2005 Top 100 Best Selling Japanese Console Games". The MagicBox. Archived from the original on 2006-04-07. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ Plunkett, Luke (December 14, 2006). "Kotaku Magu: Famitsu Lists 100 Biggest Sellers On DS In Japan". Kotaku. Archived from the original on September 26, 2009. Retrieved 2010-06-20.
- ^ "AIAS NPD Top Ten Video Game Sales". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
External links
- Official website (in Japanese)