Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team E3 2005 Preshow Report

Capcom announced at an E3 press conference that its long-running Mega Man Battle Network series is making its way onto the Nintendo DS handheld system. The card-battler-style strategy game is called Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team, and will include the full versions of Battle Network 5: Team Protoman and Team Colonel from the Game Boy Advance. This opens up some unique linked-feature opportunities, like being able to trade Navis (or sidekicks) from one version to the other. You'll also be able to view your PET, or map, through the second screen on the DS, power up Mega Man by cheering him through the mic, and battle your friends wirelessly in tournament mode. Chips you've earned in previous Battle Network games on the GBA can also be carried over, which should be a nice benefit for longtime players of the series.

The story of Double Team picks up from the end of Battle Network 4 after the defeat of the Dark Chip Syndicate. The villains have resumed operations under a new moniker: Nebula. Once again, you are called upon to stop Nebula from taking over the Internet. As you make your way through the campaign, you'll acquire and use six different Navi allies. You'll also be able to take advantage of a "soul unison" feature, which allows Mega Man to use the abilities of allies and defeated enemies.

Mega Man Battle Network 5: Double Team is slated for release in North America this fall for the Nintendo DS. Keep an eye on GameSpot for further information on the game as it becomes available.