Following last year’s digital release of the main Rockman EXE manga, Battle Story Rockman EXE is now available in digital form! The manga can be purchased on various Japanese online bookstores including Amazon Japan for a cool ¥1540 per volume. All you need is a Japanese Amazon account and a credit card, and you can read these on your PC with the Kindle app.
Written by Jun Keijima and illustrated by Miho Asada, this Battle Story Rockman EXE was originally released in 4 volumes from 2002 to 2004. Official translations were later released in France and Indonesia.
In 2017, in celebration of Battle Network’s 15th anniversary, “New Editions” were released, which condensed the series into into 3 volumes as well as added new content, and these are the editions now released in digital form.
Well, this isn’t something you see every day. After a whopping 18 years since the games’ original release, a new Lotto Number has been discovered in Mega Man Battle Network 4! What’s the reward for this Lotto Number, you ask? Why, it’s none other than the Z Saver Z BattleChip. This chip could previously only be obtained by linking with Mega Man Zero 3, and was a one-time-only deal – each copy of Zero 3 only had one Z Saver chip to give out.
The Lotto Number was randomly discovered by TREZ contributor GreigaMaster, who came across it while digging through the game’s code. To get your shiny Z Saver chip, all you need to do is head over to the Number Trader in Higsby’s chip shop and enter the code: 72794137.
Turns out there was never a reason to buy MegaMan Zero 3, Z-Saver was a lotto code BN4 all along pic.twitter.com/zS05x9nVgj
What makes this code special is that it was never even released in the official strategy guides! Some background info: after the release of each Battle Network and Star Force game, several strategy guides were published in Japan. Then a few months later, a smaller, “add-on” guide would be released, which would include all of the game’s “secret” info, which was left out of the initial guides. This includes things like parts of the post-game, secret bosses, event chips – and yes, a full listing of every Lotto Number and secret code in the game.
However, when Rockman EXE4 Ultimate Navigation DS was released in Japan, two Lotto Numbers were omitted from the list: GunSolEX G and Z Saver Z. To get the Lotto Number for GunSolEX, you had to piece it together yourself using hints in the game (“how many petals does Master Otenko have?”). It was later also published in the North American strategy guide by BradyGames. However, the existence of a Z Saver Lotto Number would remain a secret – until today.
When the Battle Network games were brought over to the Wii U Virtual Console, a function was added to each that lets you receive trade-only chips without having to trade for them (as this was impossible on Virtual Console). For Battle Network 4, one of the chips you receive is – you guessed it – Z Saver Z. So even in the Virtual Console releases, Z Saver was still treated as a trade-only chip.
With this new Lotto Number, you no longer need to dig up your copy of Zero 3 for GBA in order to complete your chip library. But you should probably hang on to it anyway, as it’s the only version of the game where you can encounter the Battle Network viruses in Cyberspace!
Mega Man Battle Network Overclocked, a 3D fan remake of the first two scenarios from MMBN1 developed by Nick West, has just received its final content update. This new update adds the second scenario featuring NumberMan as the boss. Nick notes that though this is the final content update, there may be some patches in the future, as he plans to use his skills towards creating an original game.
For those new to Overclocked, the game reimagines the first chapters from MMBN1 in full 3D. That includes the overworld, as well as battles. This isn’t just a 1-to-1 remake, however; Overclocked also includes some features from later games, such as SubChips, Regular chips and being able to escape from battles.
Have you tried this fangame yet? You can grab it for free from Nick West’s itch.io page and play it on Windows PC right now!
The deluge of Battle Network characters in Rockman X DiVE continues! Following last week’s Bass XX, this week will see the addition of not one, but two new MMBN characters to Rockman X DiVE: MegaMan.EXE Hub Style and Roll.EXE.
As always, these characters come with several abilities from the BN games. Hub Style has his Charge Shot, which as the name implies, can be charged up for extra damage. He also has access to four different kinds of Program Advances: Hyper Burst is a burst shot that explodes in a wide area. Body Guard summons ninja stars that auto-target enemies. Poison Pharaoh creates a statue that lingers on the field for a bit and drains nearby enemies’ HP. Finally, Life Sword is another big AoE sword attack. You can switch between these PAs by swapping Hyper Burst’s chip, so you can bring whichever is most suitable for each stage.
Roll, of course, comes with her signature Roll Whip and Roll Arrow. The first is a close-range attack, the other can hit enemies from afar. Hitting an enemy with Roll Whip also activates Heart Flash, and a heart will drop down on Roll to recover some HP. Next, Roll Arrow has a passive skill which can be unlocks, which causes defocused enemies to have a 100% miss rate. Roll’s skills can also increase her defenses, which combined with her healing will likely make her a resilient character.
Using either of these character in the upcoming Network Domination Project event will yield a 40% point acquisition bonus. The boss of this event is none other than Life Virus R, the final boss from Mega Man Network Transmission.
MegaMan.EXE Hub Style and Roll.EXE will be available to draw in the Asian versions of the game, starting from November 24th, 4 PM until December 8th, 4 PM (UTC+8). The international version of the game, Mega Man X DiVE, will likely not see these new characters for quite some time.
Good news for all you manga aficionados: the complete Rockman EXE manga just dropped on Amazon’s digital Kindle store!
Known as MegaMan NT Warrior in the west, the Rockman EXE manga was penned by Ryo Takamisaki and originally ran in CoroCoro Comic from 2002 to 2006. The story is loosely based on all six main games’ stories.
The versions being sold by Amazon are the 8-volume reprint versions released for Mega Man Battle Network’s 15th anniversary, featuring extra content. Of course, you’ll need to know Japanese if you want to be able to actually read these manga – but in terms of image quality, it’s hard to beat digital.
If you’d like to buy the digital edition of the Rockman EXE manga, all you need is a Japanese Amazon account and a credit card. Each volume is sold for ¥1,650 a pop (approximately $15 USD). Though denoted as “Kindle editions”, you can also view them on a PC using the free Kindle app.
You thought Mega Man Battle Chip Challenge‘s gameplay couldn’t be any more random? Well, you might want to think again! Developer Sam Donow has just released Mega Man Battle Chip Challenge Randomizer, adding on to the ever-growing list of MMBN randomizers.
The MMBCC Randomizer does exactly what you’d expect: given a English ROM for Mega Man Battle Chip Challenge, it will randomize various aspects of the game:
BattleChip and NaviChip stats (such as HP, MB, Attack Power)
Which operators and Navis appear in tournaments
BattleChip decks for enemy Navis
The MMBCC Randomizer can be used through a web interface at mmbccr.com (or this alternative link). Simply dump the ROM from your US or EU copy of Mega Man Battle Chip Challenge, and select it in the web interface. This will produce a randomized ROM, which you can then run on any GBA emulator or flash cart. You can also tweak the randomizer’s settings for a personalized experience.
For the technically inclined, Sam has also released the randomizer on GitHub, which can be used with Python 3. This version also has some additional features such as randomizing the names of the chips themselves.
Of course, as with many randomizers, the result could be pure chaos… but that’s the fun of randomizers! Either way, it’s sure to be a fresh experience. Will you be giving the MMBCC Randomizer a try? Let us know in the comments!
If you’re in the market for a new MMBN-inspired indie game, here’s a game that might pique your interest: Hero.EXE, which has been in the works for a little while now and has just launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund development. The team at Mystery Egg Games aims to bring the game to just about every console under the sun: PC DRM-free, Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One.
As the name suggests, Hero.EXE wears its MMBN inspiration on its sleeve. Combat works just like in MMBN: during the compile phase (Custom Screen), you’ll draw and select codes (BattleChips) from a deck of 30 for the next turn. The action itself is real-time and grid-based, taking place on a familiar red-and-blue battlefield.
The game’s setting is also quite similar to MMBN: you find yourself suddenly beamed into the Grid, a digital world plagued by glitches and governed by powerful bosses known as Monarchs. To survive, you’ll have to pair up with an A.V.A. (Navi), who will be your partner for the entire game. There are a number of A.V.A.s to choose from, each having their own unique abilities and personalities, adding plenty of replay value.
Seems like Rogue wasn’t content with just being the event boss for the “Bond that can’t be severed” event, so now he’s also coming to Rockman X DiVE as an S Rank playable character! As announced by Capcom Taiwan in the trailer above, players will be able to draw the Mu swordsman himself starting from September 15th, 4 PM (UTC+8) until September 22nd, 4 PM (UTC+8).
Rogue comes with attacks based on those from Mega Man Star Force 2: Rogue Fist, which launches him across the screen, dealing damage to any enemies he passes through. He can also use Rogue Break, a large AoE attack that enables him to use Rogue Fist again.
Of course, Rogue wouldn’t be Rogue without his signature EM barrier; a shield that temporarily renders him invincible. In addition, he also has a passive ability that increases his damage output when his HP is low.
For the time being, Rogue will only be available in the Asian version of Rockman X DiVE and will likely not arrive in the global version for a while.
The last major Mega Man series yet to cross over with Rockman X DiVE, Mega Man Star Force is finally about to go On The Air and pulse in to the Deep Log!
As announced by Capcom Taiwan, Star Force Mega Man and Harp Note will be making their way to Rockman X DiVE in just a few short days, as part of the Bond that can’t be severed event. The event starts on September 8th, 4:00 PM (UTC+8) and will run until September 22nd, 3:59 PM (UTC+8).
Note: for the time being, Star Force Mega Man and Harp Note will only be available in the Asian version of the game. The North American version (operated by NebulaJoy) will likely not receive this new event for a while.
Star Force Mega Man will be an A Rank character whom you can draw by spending Event Coupons. Harp Note, on the other hand, will be an S Rank character. If you manage to draw Harp Note, using her in the event will net you 40% bonus Event Coupons.
Harp Note comes with two skills, based on her attacks from the original games. Machine Gun String fires a set of guitar strings into the targeted enemy, and using this skill also summons a speaker. The speaker will stay on the field for a while and automatically fire towards enemies.
She can also use her Song of Pulse skill, an AoE attack that sends notes flying in all directions. Enemies hit by the notes will be inflicted with a negative status effect; and you have the option to choose between Out of Control, Defocus and Skill Seal. In addition, Harp Note can use a Shield and automatically lock on to enemies.
As part of the event, you can also challenge a special stage with a new boss at the end. Of course, it’s none other than Rogue, wielding his Mu sword from Mega Man Star Force 2.
Rockman X DiVE can be downloaded from the iOS App Store and Google Play in select regions. If you’re an Android user, you can also download and install the APK file for the game directly from the official website, regardless of which region you’re in.
Will you be pulsing into the Deep Log soon? Let us know in the comments!
Star Force fan-game Mega Man Star Force: EndWave has received a new demo, just in time for SAGE 2021! We last checked out this project two years ago, and it’s come a long way since then. Unlike a previous demo, which was mainly a battle system demonstration, the new Version 1.3 now includes an overworld and story cutscenes.
Mega Man Star Force: EndWave is a fan-game based on the rumored cancelled concept for Mega Man Star Force 4. Geo and Omega-Xis team up with genius hacker Kazuma to investigate a mysterious threat manipulating people’s emotions. This draws the ire of the Satella Police as Geo and Kazuma find themselves wanted outlaws. In the first chapter, Mega Man is tasked with investigating an old PET, which is now emitting a signal pointing to Geo and Kazuma’s location.
The battle system is a 2D version of the system used in the official Mega Man Star Force games, where the camera is always at a side view rather than over-the-shoulder – similar to the Battle Network games. You can move up and down on your column, use a Shield to block incoming attacks and Lock-on to enemies for close-range attacks. EndWave also features a dynamic difficulty system, which increases enemies’ strength as well as the rewards they drop if you play well.
The Custom Screen has been simplified from the previous demo and official games, too. You can now pick any three from the four available cards on the screen. In addition, there’s a Wave Special card that powers up each time you land a Counter Hit, but can only be used once per battle.
