Almost every Mega Man game has now been re-released in a remastered collection. While I’m happy to see this, I’m still disappointed that Mega Man Legends hasn’t gotten the same treatment – but that’s a discussion for another time. The newest addition to Capcom’s efforts to preserve the Blue Bomber’s games is the Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Star Force games, don’t worry – they’re a spin-off of another spin-off, Battle Network! Besides Mega Man Soccer, it’s likely one of the most obscure parts of Mega Man’s history, especially from the Nintendo DS era. This was a period when Mega Man’s future was uncertain, as it had been ten years since his last major console game. He was primarily appearing on handheld devices, but those games weren’t always successful.
Mega Man Zero and ZX were truly excellent games, as you can experience in the Mega Man Zero/ZX Legacy Collection. However, the other games from that time tried to stand out by doing things a bit differently. Star Force, like Battle Network before it, aimed to reimagine Mega Man for a new audience. While the story and style were a big shift, the gameplay was where you really saw the changes.
Similar to Battle Network, Star Force uses strategy and card-based battles. While quite different from the original Mega Man games, Star Force still offered enjoyable gameplay. Though generally considered not as good as Battle Network, the Star Force games are worth checking out, and this new collection from Capcom is a great way to experience them for the first time.
Oh, One Last Thing
How good a game compilation is ultimately depends on the quality of the games included, and unfortunately, Star Force isn’t one of the best Mega Man titles. It’s not terrible, but these games were pretty unremarkable when they first came out, and they haven’t improved with time. After the strong Battle Network series, it always seemed strange to me that Star Force felt like a step backwards.
Even though the battle area was made smaller to speed things up, combat actually felt slow when this game first came out, and it feels even more sluggish now. While characters move at a good speed, the smaller space and camera angle make everything feel cramped and slow down the action. It wasn’t very exciting on the original DS, and it hasn’t improved over time.
I’m a big fan of card-based battles in games, and while the combat in the Star Force series isn’t as good as in Battle Network, it’s still enjoyable. The card selection is smooth, and combining card effects is a nice touch. It doesn’t have a ton of strategic depth, but it’s still fun to play as Mega Man and see familiar enemies brought to life in 3D.
This collection includes all three Star Force games, which were released between 2007 and 2009. Like the Pokémon games, each one had different versions to collect. If you enjoyed the Battle Network series, you’ll find a similar experience here, though it’s not quite as polished.
Compared to Battle Network, the Star Force games haven’t held up very well. They feel overly restrictive and don’t trust players to figure things out. The games constantly have characters explaining even the simplest tasks, repeating themselves, and then offering to explain again. It became almost comical when a character would say, “Oh, one more thing,” late in the game.
Unlike Battle Network, the Star Force games are perhaps the worst-aged Mega Man games of all time.
The stories are quite detailed and lengthy. While not inherently negative, I found it surprising how little of the plot stuck with me after playing each game. There’s a lot of conversation, and at times it feels excessive. Some of the dialogue is also very cheesy, which some players might enjoy – I admit I have a soft spot for it – but it can become overwhelming after a while.
The story and writing have their strengths. The dialogue is often witty and humorous, reminiscent of the anime-inspired style of previous games like Battle Network and Star Force. It has a unique, lighthearted charm that’s refreshing to see.
The biggest problem with the Star Force games is that they haven’t held up well over time. With so many excellent Mega Man games readily available today, these feel like a last resort. After enjoying six Battle Network titles, this spin-off, despite having similar gameplay, feels a step down. Each game also feels too similar to the others, and by the time I reached Star Force 3, I was starting to lose interest.
Preserving a Legacy
Capcom has consistently done a great job of protecting and showcasing the rich history of Mega Man. Their Legacy Collections haven’t just made the classic games accessible, they’ve also honored what made each one special. The new Star Force compilation continues this trend, including things like concept art, full soundtracks, and collectible card galleries – features we’re seeing more of in these collections, and which are always welcome.
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The Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection unfortunately includes some common issues found in modern game compilations. By default, it applies low-quality CRT filters and pixel smoothing that don’t look very good, though thankfully players can disable these features. It’s positive that options exist to adjust the visuals, but it’s still frustrating to see these kinds of filters included as standard.
Thankfully, each game in the collection looks and runs like a dream.
It’s great that all the games in this collection look and play so smoothly. While they’re older DS games – about three generations old – it’s a pleasant surprise to see them working perfectly. Some similar collections from other developers haven’t been well-optimized, so it’s not always a given that these classic games would run properly on modern devices.
A lot of people think the spin-off Mega Man games are even better than the original series, and I tend to agree. I especially love the X and Legends games. While Star Force isn’t as strong as those other spin-offs, it’s still worth checking out if you’re new to these games – you might find something you really enjoy.
Closing Comments
The Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection features three lesser-known games from the popular Capcom series. Continuing the style of 2001’s Battle Network, these games blend card battles with RPG elements and exploration. While they haven’t aged perfectly—the combat is simple and the game often directs you very specifically—players willing to overlook some unusual design choices and lengthy storylines can still find a lot to enjoy in this one-of-a-kind Mega Man card game experience.
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2026-03-25 18:10