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Mega Man Battle Network (also known as Mega Man EXE) shares the daily life of Lan, a ten-year-old boy living a quiet life in a small town called ACDC.
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At this time (in 20XX), the Internet has become so important that everyone is equipped with a PET (short for Personal Exploration Terminal), a kind of pocket computer that allows for telephone calls, Internet connections, and interfacing with most electronic devices (for maintenance purposes). And no, the term smartphone was unknown to me in 2001!
Each PET is personalised by a navi, a virtual character with whom you can dialogue. These navis evolve on the Internet, guided by their operators. Lan’s navi is called MegaMan.EXE.
Alongside technological advances, cybercrime has exploded, so much so that the Net is regularly targeted by viruses that attack careless navis or programs regulating electronic systems (from household appliances to traffic lights), which can have catastrophic effects.
To counter this threat, authorities call upon Net Battlers, individuals equipped with elite navis, programmed to fight viruses.
Today, virus hunting has become so crucial that it’s taught in schools, and all schoolchildren dream of becoming Net Battlers one day…
| Year | Title | System |
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| 2001 | Mega Man Battle Network | Game Boy Advance |
| 2002 | Mega Man Battle Network 2 | Game Boy Advance |
| 2003 | Mega Man Battle Network 3 | Game Boy Advance |
| 2003 | Mega Man Battle Network 4 | Game Boy Advance |
| 2005 | Mega Man Battle Network 5 | Game Boy Advance |
| 2006 | Mega Man Battle Network 6 | Game Boy Advance |
| 2003 | Mega Man Network Transmission | GameCube et PlayStation 2 |
| 2004 | Mega Man Battle Chip Challenge | Game Boy Advance |
Main characters:
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Lan Hikari, the hero of this story, is a mediocre student—except when it comes to eliminating viruses. On the right, his virtual sibling, MegaMan.EXE, the perfect “good” lesson-giver.
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| Mayl, Lan’s girlfriend (the blabbering know-it-all), and her digital friend Roll.EXE (the window dressing).
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Dex, Lan’s best friend, and his navi GutsMan.EXE. Two brawny types without particular talent.
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| Yai, the mega-rich daddy’s girl who loves giving her opinion on everything, and Glide.EXE, her butler-navi.
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Chaud, a pretentious Net Battler, as sociable as a block of ice, and his navi ProtoMan.EXE.
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| Higsby, a clueless bloke who lives only to collect battlechips (programmes that enhance a navi’s combat abilities), and his virtual alter ego: NumberMan.EXE.
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Overall, this makes for a rather charming modern role-playing game, likely aimed at a younger audience, featuring an original combat system.
There’s also an animated series adapted from the game; the episodes vary in quality, but the beginning is watchable.
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