I wasn't sure how I wanted to approach this review as I began to write. I really had two options to consider. I could either complain about the re-hashed aspects of the franchise, or I could just review the game based on the merits of the individual title. In the end, I have chosen to do far more of the latter and just a pinch of the former. Mega Man Battle Network 5: Team Protoman is one of the two versions available in the quickly growing Mega Man Battle Network (MMBN from here on out) series for the Gameboy Advance. Along with MMBN 5:Team Colonel, MMBN 5: Team Protoman takes a lot of what has made the series popular and repaints it with a fresh coat of story and a couple of new features.

Facts and Features:

• Ninth MMBN title on the GBA
  
• Companion title to MMBN 5: Team Colonel
  
• Enemies unique to each version of MMBN 5
  
• Separate storyline from MMBN 5: Team Colonel
  
• Six distinct allies to befriend in each version
  
• "Chaos Union" system allows for new customizable battle tactics
  
• Mattel BattleChip included with the game
  
• Available now
  

Presentation
MMBN 5: Team Protoman is presented in just about an identical manner of its predecessors. The story takes place in a futuristic world where the internet is an integral part in everybody's lives. Basically anything made by man is in some way capable of jacking into the net. As always, an evil plot is discovered by LAN and his Navi, Mega Man to disrupt everyday life by exploiting the internet in a dubious manner. The game feels identical to earlier versions of the series, but luckily the story is engaging enough to keep you around from getting bored of the same old thing. As expected, everything is laid out in a pretty simple manner; and thanks to a sort of tutorial at the beginning of the game you don't have to have any knowledge of former MMBN games to fully enjoy Team Protoman. Cutscenes are kept at a reasonably short length and the characters manage to avoid being overly wordy most of the time.