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Good: battle system

Bad: identical port of GBA version

Looking Bright: the future of the series

Let's get something straight right at the beginning. Mega Man Battle Network 5 Double Team is not a brand new DS game. It's just a port of the GBA version. The reason the Double Team name was slapped on was because it has both GBA versions of MMBN 5. The funny thing is that even though Nintendo released two different versions of the game, the only difference between them was the SKU number. So to summarize, Nintendo put both versions of MMBN 5 into one DS game, both of which were already the same thing anyway. After we clear the dust and sort all this nonsense out, we find that MMBN works great on the DS and hopefully this leads to an original MMBN on the DS for the future.

The game opens up like any other MMBN, Lan, cleverly named for a game based on the internet, is procrastinating his homework and is more interested in surfing the net. When Lan does go onto the net, his trusty navi named Mega Man accompanies him and they do battle against evil navi viruses. Navis are beings only in the net world and this is how each person is represented in it. Of course the evil navis roam the net causing havoc and breaking down systems. Lan seems to be more interested in busting these viruses than concentrating on his homework and this is the basis of Lan's personality. He's a young kid looking to have fun than study. For veterans of the series, the first couple hours might be a pain since it's almost a complete tutorial on how to play but for those who are beginners will gladly appreciate it.

MMBN definitely has quite a unique battle system and this aspect is what keeps the series good. Battles are real-time and not quite turn based. You'll fight on a grid that is divided in half; where one side will be yours and the other will be the enemy's. Movement is allowed on any grid space pertaining to your side and you'll need to line Mega Man up in order to hit targets. So this allows you to choose which target to focus upon and dodge enemy attacks. The trusty bust cannon will always be at your side but there are power-up chips that you can use too. You'll select these before battle and during once your tension meter fills back up. This occurs over time and as you take and deal damage. Chips can range from health replenishes, stronger attacks, buffs, grid morphing (reducing your enemies space) and more. To top it off, the 5 chips you'll be able to use each time you equip them is randomly decided. Now at first this sounds discouraging, but what it does it add a bit of twist and logical strategy to the fight. You'll need to see what you have available, what enemy you are fighting, and then decide your means of approach. It's almost like solving a puzzle.

The DS's unique hardware features are barely used. Since the game was originally designed for the GBA, the two screens are never used in concession and the touch screen is limited to selecting options from menus. In a way it's almost annoying because unless you use your bare finger (which we all cringe at doing) you'll be picking up and setting down the stylus many times. This also means that the graphics and audio have not been changed and expect to see GBA anime stylized graphics. This is not to say the game isn't full or color and looks terrible, just that don't expect much more than GBA looks.

MMBN keeps the same formula that is starting to wear thin. The gameplay is still loads of fun to play, but it's the story and the lack of interest that starts to haunt the game towards the end. There's just not enough to keep interest as far as longevity. There is some room to grow as far as multiplayer since the DS is now going online. Imagine an actual online battle arena much like the one found in game. You can fight whoever you come across all wirelessly online. Again, the series as done the right thing by moving to the DS, it's just a matter of taking advantage of it.

Graphics: C+

Sound: C+

First Play: B-

Last Play: C

Gameplay: B-

Overall: 78% C+