To the joy of many fans, Capcom finally announced the Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection in a Nintendo Partner Direct. This will collect all six of the main Mega Man Battle Network Game Boy Advance titles, as well as both versions of Battle Network 3 and onward. A number of spin-offs are being left out of this collection and the fate of the Mega Man Star Force trilogy remains uncertain, but what is in the full package is worth celebrating regardless.
The digital version of the Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection will be split into two installments, the first containing Battle Network 1 through 3 and the second Battle Network 4 through 6. The latter package does technically contain two more games than the first, but like the Pokemon games that inspired them, there aren't many differences between versions. Those getting into the Mega Man Battle Network series for the first time or veterans who want to return to an alternate version may be wondering what the differences in these titles are. They are best illustrated with the version differences between Mega Man Battle Network 3 White and Mega Man Battle Network 3 Blue.
The Odd Creation of Battle Network White and Blue
Battle Network 3 was the first entry in the Mega Man Battle Network series to employ two versions. Every subsequent title up to the end of Mega Man Star Force was released with two equivalent takes on the game. This encouraged friend groups to diversify their purchases and trade Battle Chips they couldn't otherwise get. For European and Western players, it seems like an initiative to double down on the Pokemon qualities Battle Network was designed with. However, that was not initially the case.
The initial December 2002 Japanese release of Battle Network Rockman EXE3 was a standalone title. At the end of March 2003, a second version titled Battle Network Rockman EXE3 Black came out. The original game was released outside of Japan as Mega Man Battle Network 3 White, while Black was localized as Mega Man Battle Network 3 Blue. Like later alternate versions, Black exchanged some Battle Chips, chip codes, one boss, and one form change, as well as introducing a number of cosmetic changes. However, Black was not following Pokemon tradition; rather, it was upholding Capcom's tendency to release upgraded versions with new content.
Mega Man Battle Network 3's Major Version Differences
Differences between the White and Blue versions of Battle Network 3 start off small, with things like color differences in various menus and objects, some standard Battle Chips having unique codes per version, and shops having different inventories. The major differences come in with bosses and BN3’s high-end equipment. Battle Network White has players fight MistMan as Serenade's #2, while Blue uses BowlMan. Of greater note is the appearance of Mr. Famous and his NetNavi Punk, who older fans may recognize as one of the Mega Man Killers from the Game Boy platformers. This is the only Battle Network game to feature Punk, as Mr. Famous is replaced by his hint-giving assistant in White. Even though Punk's Battle Chip was exclusive to a Capcom promotion, Battle Network 3 Blue could be worth playing over White just to see this bit of classic Mega Man fanservice.
The other reason to play Battle Network Blue is because of how much easier it is than White. The biggest advantage is the FolderBack Giga Chip, the easiest Giga Chip to get in Blue. FolderBack is strong enough to alter how battles are approached, as it restores all used Battle Chips including itself to the Folder, thereby promoting an extra-aggressive playstyle. The five Giga Chips in each version are different, even if they are unlocked the same way, and White's Navi Recycle just can't hold a candle to FolderBack.
The last major difference between the White and Blue versions is the unique Style in each, and the Navi Customizer blocks that come with them. White’s Ground Style is gained by using terrain-affecting chips, and can crack enemy panels with charged shots. Shadow Style’s charged shot in Blue deals no damage, but turns MegaMan invisible and invincible for a few seconds. That’s in addition to gaining it by simply using lots of Invisible chips, and the Style conferring Customizer blocks that let MegaMan ignore most harmful panels.
In summary, Battle Network 3 Blue gives players more safety and resources, while Battle Network 3 White demands more strategy. Both are valid ways to experience Battle Network 3, and players will be able to get both at once as part of the Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection.
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection will be released in 2023 for PC, PS4, and Switch.