The Legacy of 'Mega Man Battle Network'

With the release of the Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection in 2023, there appears to be a renewed interest in the RPG series. However, this resurgence has yet to result in Capcom reviving the series with a new entry. Indie games inspired by Mega Man Battle Network, such as One Step From Eden, EndCycle VS, and Berserk B.I.T.S., attempt to fill this void with their similar battle systems and card-collecting mechanics. Unfortunately, none of these games has perfectly recreated the appeal of the Battle Network series. Enter Shanghai EXE: Genso Network and Mega Man Battle Network Chrono X, two existing fangames that continue where the series left off.

Shanghai EXE: Genso Network

Shanghai EXE: Genso Network is a fangame starring characters from the Touhou Project universe, but with gameplay identical to that of Mega Man Battle Network. Shanghai EXE plays like the greatest hits of Battle Network, combining features from across the series. The presentation, scenario, and level design are most reminiscent of the first three Battle Network games, while the mechanics are more in line with the latter. Fans of the series will recognize the return of Style Changes (2 & 3), but with the ability to swap them during battle, similar to the Cross System (6). Dark Chips (4 & 5) also return, and instead of the Navi Customizer (3-6), Shanghai EXE features a similar mechanic called the AddOn Manager. What makes the AddOn Manager special is the purple AddOns that let you equip even more AddOns in exchange for an adverse effect. The only thing Shanghai EXE lacks is multiplayer, which could have been a reality if Capcom hadn't shut down its development in 2018.

Mega Man Battle Network Chrono X

Mega Man Battle Network Chrono X is a fan-made sequel to Mega Man Battle Network 6 set between the conclusion of that game and its epilogue. Its signature mechanic is the Me.M.E.N.T.O. system, which gives Mega Man access to different transformations based on bosses from previous games. Mementos are like Crosses (5) in that each grants Mega Man innate buffs and debuffs, but rather than being limited to one, there are several you can freely equip. The Navi Customizer also features a new Conversion mechanic, which replaces programs that yield the same abilities as your equipped Memento with one that complements its playstyle. Program X is another mechanic introduced in Chrono X, similar to Beast Out (6), but much is unknown about its use. Unlike Shanghai EXE, Chrono X features online multiplayer and supports cross-platform play between PC and Android. Although still in development, a demo containing the first three scenarios is available for download.

The target audience of both fan games is veteran players, so newcomers might find them a bit challenging. On the other hand, experienced players will face devilish challenges that put their skills to the test. Honestly, the quality of these fan games has made me less interested in Capcom revisiting Mega Man Battle Network and more keen on them creating another similar sub-series like Mega Man Star Force. A fresh start might be for the best, as many of the staff who made Battle Network what it was have since parted ways with Capcom. Until then, I will continue to support fan projects that carry on the legacy of this beloved series.

Update: On September 12th, 2025, Capcom announced Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection.