Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Colonel builds on the series’ signature blend of action and strategy, plunging players into both the real world and cyberspace. Outside of combat, you guide Lan Hikari through towns, buildings, and the Dark Chip Factory, searching for clues and mission objectives. When Lan “jacks in,” you switch over to an isometric battlefield where Mega Man.EXE navigates a grid-based map, dodges enemy fire, and unleashes attacks.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

Combat unfolds in a hybrid real-time and turn-based fashion. Each turn, you select Battle Chips from a deck—ranging from standard buster shots to specialized support abilities—and then enter the Net to execute moves against rogue viruses. Fast reflexes matter as much as tactical planning; you’ll need to dodge incoming projectiles and position Mega Man strategically, all while maximizing chip combos for devastating effects.

Unique to this installment are Liberation Missions, a strategic mini-game that plays like a three-dimensional chessboard. You and the enemy alternate moves to flip dark tiles back to your control before meeting on the field. Victory hinges on planning your paths and choosing when to engage, breaking up the usual hack-and-slash routine with a cerebral challenge.

Team Colonel’s defining twist is the mid-story switch to Colonel.EXE, offering a fresh moveset and Battle Chip library. This dual-perspective approach not only diversifies gameplay but also sheds light on the Dark Chip conspiracy from a different angle. Additionally, cross-linking with Team Protoman allows you to trade exclusive chips, encouraging multiple playthroughs to complete your collection.

Graphics

Team Colonel retains the bright, chibi-inspired art direction that defined the Battle Network series on Game Boy Advance. Character sprites are expressive, with detailed portrait illustrations during dialogue sequences that bring Lan, Mega Man, Colonel, and the supporting cast to life. The user interface remains crisp and intuitive, keeping health bars, chip selection grids, and mission objectives clear even in the heat of battle.

Cyberspace environments are rendered with vibrant colors and geometric patterns that evoke the feel of a living network. Enemy designs range from simple viruses to imposing Dark Navis, each animated smoothly as they charge, shoot, and react to your attacks. The Dark Chip Factory, in particular, stands out with its foreboding palette and intricate machinery backgrounds, lending an ominous tone to the mission.

On the liberation boards, tiles flip and pulse with satisfying visual feedback, making each strategic conquest feel impactful. Animations for chip activation—whether summoning a shotgun spread or deploying a healing protocol—are fluid and carry the weight of their in-battle significance. Despite the GBA’s technical limits, frame rates remain steady, even when multiple effects overload the screen.

Story

The narrative picks up shortly after the events of the previous title, plunging Lan and Mega Man into a new crisis. A shadowy organization has begun distributing Dark Navi chips, corrupting Navis into ruthless foes. As incidents escalate, the threat shifts from isolated network glitches to full-scale cyber warfare, threatening global infrastructure. Lan’s mission is clear: infiltrate the factory producing these chips and cut off the supply at its source.

Along the way, you reunite with familiar allies—Mayl, Dex, and Chaud—each contributing unique skills and emotional stakes. The mid-game perspective shift to Colonel gives voice to an initially adversarial character, deepening the conspiracy’s lore and showcasing the stakes for NetAdmin forces. Interwoven dialogue sequences balance lighthearted schoolyard banter with the tension of high-stakes infiltration.

Pacing remains tight throughout, alternating between investigative segments in the real world and climactic Net battles. Side quests and chip trading opportunities add optional story beats, fleshing out secondary characters and revealing hidden motivations. While the central plot follows a familiar “stop the evil mastermind” arc, the dynamic character interplay and unexpected alliances keep it engaging from start to finish.

Overall Experience

Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Colonel refines the franchise’s core mechanics while introducing enough fresh content to justify a sequel—especially if you enjoyed the previous installments. The dual roles of Mega Man and Colonel provide complementary playstyles, and Liberation Missions offer a cerebral diversion that breaks up consecutive combat zones. The pacing is well-balanced, ensuring that neither exploration nor battle feels overextended.

Replayability is high for completionists. Exclusive chips tied to Team Protoman linking, hidden side missions, and the drive to perfect your Liberation Mission strategies all encourage multiple runs. Trading and battling with friends via link cable remains a highlight, turning the chip collection grind into a social affair. Even years after its release, the game’s depth and polish hold up under extended play.

For fans of tactical action-RPGs and long-time Mega Man enthusiasts, Team Colonel delivers a satisfying mix of story-driven missions and strategic combat. Newcomers will appreciate the accessible interface and gradually escalating challenge, though familiarity with chip syntax and basic battle tactics will help ease the learning curve. Ultimately, this entry stands as one of Battle Network’s most complete packages—an essential addition for any handheld RPG aficionado.

Retro Replay Score

6.7/10