Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collectionreleases worldwide today, and even after just a few hours with the game, the nostalgia factor is clear as day. The best part is that it isn’t even the first collection released by Capcom, with it following in the footsteps of theMega Man Legacy CollectionandMega Man Legacy 2 Collection,as well as the exact same treatment forMega Man X. As such, it can’t really end here when there’s reach backlog of content that deserves these re-releases.
There’s really two sub-series in theMega Manfranchise that deserve this treatment next:Battle NetworkandStar Force. They’re definitely later entries from the franchise and break the mold from the style ofMega Manportrayed in collections thus far, but that doesn’t mean they would be any less fun.
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Mega Man Battle Network
Set in a different timeline and continuity than the rest of theMega Manuniverse, this game features AI programs and networks over robotics. Thus, NetNavis were born to navigate the dangers of the internet and viruses, where the BattleChips would act in a similar function to Weapon Models, etc. found in games likeZero/ZX Legacy Collection.
In the series, Lan and Mega Man (a NetNavi now) get involved in various schemes such as the WWW as headed by Wily and would meet otherMega Mancharacterswho were imported to the series as NetNavis such as Zero, Iris, and Colonel. It used a hybrid action RPG and card system where players found on 6x3 grids using battle chips. This typically happened when exploring the net as Mega Man, while there also exploration in the real world of Lan’s town and surrounding areas with his friends.
The ideal remake would include all of the spin-offs,Mega Man Battle Network, Mega Man Battle Network 2, Mega Man Battle Network 3 BlueandWhite, Mega Man Battle Network 4 Red SunandBlue Moon, Mega Man Battle Network 5 Team Colonel/Team Protoman/Double Team DS, andMega Man Battle Network 6 Cybeast GregarandCybeast Falzar. Notably, the third game branches into two different versions, not unlike aPokemongame, and would be interesting if there were two collections with each one housing different versions of the latterBattle Networkgames.
Mega Man Star Force
Star Forcewould followMega Man Battle Network, hardly changing up the basic formula with a new subseries now moved up to the Nintendo DS. Although it was 3D this time, there was still a battle grid, and despite being set far off in the future, it basically used the same elements. That said, there’s no fixing what isn’t broken, and this method keptStar Forcein line withBattle Network.
This subseries includedMega Man Star Force Leo/Pegasus/Dragon, Mega Man Star Force 2 Zerker x NinjaandZerker x Saurian, andMega Man Star Force 3 Black Ace and Red Joker. Despite just being three games, as the fourth was canceled, there’s still more than enough content for a collection. Or, better yet, it’d be simple enough for there to be a behemoth titledMega Man Battle Network x Star Force Collectionto release given the two’s similarities.
A Real Possibility: Mega Man Battle Network or Star Force Collection
Hoping for older nostalgic games to make their way back into the spotlight is one thing, but it’s worth mentioning that this is a real possibility. Fans have been clamoring and vocal about this idea dated even to when theZero/ZX Legacycollection was first announced, and Capcom has set a precedent for listening to fans via itsremakes ofResident Evil.
Resident Evil 3would happen, it said, ifResident Evil 2 Remakefans were vocal enough, and nowRE3is coming sooner rather than later. Fingers crossed the same can one day be said forMega Man Battle NetworkandMega Man Star Force.
Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collectionis out now for PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
