Megaman Network Transmission (GameCube 2D Platformer)

How long has it been since the last Megaman game has graced a Nintendo Home
Console?  Okay, we had Megaman 64 a while back, and it was largely ignored,
despite being a good little game, however...  Both X series AND the original
Megaman series haven't seen a Nintendo Home Console since the SNES...  And
alas...  That doesn't seem like it's going to change any time soon, however,
this little gem will serve to remind gamers of how much fun the classic
Megamans were while adding in some new material.  

After finally defeating the WWW Organization, Lan and Megaman finally seem to
have some time off.  However, word begins to spread a nasty bug called the
Zero Virus, and before Lan knows it, he and Megaman are once again fighting
to say the 'Net from someone's evil scheme.

Gameplay

For the most part, the game plays and controls like the classic NES Megamans
right down to hitting down and A to slide.  Obsticles, enemies, stages, and
occasionally, even music, tries to give you that classic feel of nostalga.
However, despite feeling like a classic, the game's mechanics are QUITE
different.  Seeing as the game is based on the EXE series, the game's
mechanics reflect that in the use of Chips.  There are roughly 137 Chips in
the game, most of them offensive, some defensive.  Of course, some chips are
more powerful than others and a lot of them even have an elemental alignment
which comes in handy against most enemies.  And just like in the EXE games,
you must equip a certain number of them (20 in this game) onto Megaman by
putting them in his Folder.  Now, at the beginning of each level (or after
everytime you die), the game will randomly draw five Chips from your 20 and
present them to you.  You can then choose the order in which to equip, if you
want to equip them.  After that, during the stage, you can switch between
Chips by way of the L and R buttons and should you run out of chips or need
new ones, you must wait until your "Custom" Meter, at the top of the screen
fills up.  Once that does, you can chuck the chips you have left and get new
ones by pressing Z.  Additionally, you add chips to your collection by either
killing an enemy and taking his chip, buying them from Higsby's shops, or
receiving them through E-Mail as part of the storyline.  And with all these
chips, you must do battle with tons of enemies, some from the EXE games, some
of them classic enemies, some of which haven't been in a game since the 80s
(Including, Tackle Fire, Big Eye, Peng, Splne, Beak, Hot Dog, and many, many
more), and deal with traditional Megaman platforming.  All in all, it works
very well, though it's kind of annoying that you have to keep re-fighting
bosses to get more of their chips and I also wish the Elemental System had
more of an effect on the bosses butit still works anyway. :p

Graphics

Like any Non-Legends Megaman game worth its salt, this sucker's side
scrolling in traditional fashion.  Additionally, the graphics are cel shaded
which looks really good, especially during the cut scenes.  Enemies all move
beautifully, and Megaman...  Megaman moves fluidly (except when he gets up
from climbing a ladder) and he even jumps in that classic NES fashion!  :p
All in all, nothing to really complain about!  ^^

Music

Traditional Megaman/Capcom-ish music.  Most of it's new.  A couple of
returning songs from the EXE series, and at least one classic remixed tune
(Fireman's Stage).  In anycase, it's all very good!  :)

Conclusion

In the end, this is a great game and much longer than the old NES Megaman
games (about 30-40 hours)!  Sure, it's not perfect...  'Could've been
longer...  I would've liked to have seen the game do more with the Elemental
alignments of bosses, but...  What can you do?  It'd be a fun game for
anybody, but for life long Megaman fans, it's quite a little treat!  ^^  At
least rent it if you're not a hard core Megaman fan, but if you are, you KNOW you'll be playing this game
over and over again so just buy it all ready!  ^^

Score:  8/10