Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection Is Out Now: Which Game Should You Play First?
Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection launches March 27 with all seven DS games. Here is which version to play first and what makes this collection worth your time.
March 27, 2026 · 3 min read
Ex-competitive player turned writer. If a game has a ranked mode, I've probably grinded it. I write about what's worth your sweat.
Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection launched today, March 27, bringing seven DS-era RPGs to modern platforms. If you never touched this spinoff series, or bounced off it years ago, here is what you need to know about where to start.
What Is Included
The collection contains all three mainline Star Force games in their multiple versions:
Star Force 1 (2006): Pegasus, Leo, and Dragon versions. Same core game, different transformations and exclusive content.
Star Force 2 (2007): Zerker x Ninja and Zerker x Saurian. Two versions, two tribe combinations.
Star Force 3 (2008): Black Ace and Red Joker. The most refined entry, with the highest ratings from the original releases.
Seven games total. The collection also includes a gallery of illustrations, music player, and online play support.
Where to Start
Star Force 1 is the obvious starting point. The story follows Geo Stelar, a kid mourning his father's disappearance, who bonds with an alien named Omega-Xis to become Mega Man. Pick any version. Pegasus, Leo, and Dragon differ in their Satellite Admin transformations and some exclusive content, but the core experience is identical.
If you want the best game in the collection, skip straight to Star Force 3: Black Ace. It scored highest among critics and represents the series at its most polished. You will miss some story context, but the gameplay improvements are significant.
How These Games Play
Star Force evolved from the Battle Network formula. Instead of a side-view grid, combat happens on a 3x5 grid viewed from behind Mega Man. You move between three columns while enemies attack from ahead. Cards (Battle Cards) let you use special attacks, and timing matters.
The overworld blends real-world exploration with Wave World traversal. Geo walks through his town, but Mega Man surfs electromagnetic waves, finding secrets and battles in a parallel dimension layered over the physical one.
What Makes This Collection Worth It
These games never left the DS. No rereleases, no ports, no remasters. Finding physical copies costs serious money now. The Legacy Collection brings all seven versions to Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC for the first time.
Online features, originally dependent on Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (dead since 2014), have been restored. Brother Bands and wireless multiplayer work again.
For longtime fans, the gallery and music player add archival value. For newcomers, this is simply the only reasonable way to play these games in 2026.
Quick Recommendations
First timer: Start with Star Force 1: Pegasus. Play in release order if you have time.
Short on time: Go straight to Star Force 3: Black Ace. Best gameplay, best refinement.
Battle Network fan: Star Force 1 will feel familiar but different. Give it a few hours before judging.
Completionist: You have 7 games and version-exclusive content. Good luck.
Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection is available now on Switch, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.