A Complete Run Down of the Mega Man Timelines (Classic and Battle Network)

With the release of Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection, the series has seen quite the surge in popularity again. So I figured now would be the perfect time to write something I've wanted to cover for a long time—the Mega Man Timeline.

Many people think that Mega Man is just a kids' platforming series with little to no story, but I’m here today to prove them wrong. The "crazy" truth is that Mega Man’s lore is actually quite complicated, involving more than one timeline. This often leads to confusion when discussing Mega Man Battle Network in relation to the rest of the overarching series. In today’s post, I want to clear up that confusion and walk you through the complete timeline.

Before we get started, let me explain a bit about how these timelines work and where my information comes from. First of all, the series as a whole has been handled by multiple development teams; because of this, certain details can get a bit muddy.

Parts of the story have been retconned, while other pieces of information reflect the "dev team's point of view," which may or may not align with what other teams originally intended. This is especially true regarding the Zero and ZX series, as those games were developed by Inti Creates.

As for my sources, most of my information comes directly from the games themselves, as well as the Official Complete Works books released for various entries in the series. For the sake of this post, I will focus primarily on what is considered canon, though I will highlight "gray areas" where the lore may have shifted over the years.

Also here's a general spoiler warning, as I'll be going into what needs to be said, but without giving away too much of the plot or overall story.

So with that being said... Let's get started.

The Beginning and the Split

The beginning of the Mega Man Timeline is where our split occurs. In many ways, these can be seen as two different worlds, as it has never been made 100% clear if these branches ever truly existed within the same continuity.

Based on the information we have from the games, you can consider them two separate universes that diverged in one major way. These universes share a similar background, but the characters differ slightly. Confused? Well, don't worry—it doesn't get truly "crazy" just yet.

The Classic Timeline

Before the start of the first Mega Man, we find two scientists: Dr. Light and Dr. Wily. Originally best friends, they worked together to bring the sci-fi world of robotics into reality. While they eventually co-developed a robot known as Proto Man, the two scientists failed to see eye-to-eye. They eventually had a falling out and split to pursue their own paths.

After the split, Dr. Light created a "son" named Rock and a "daughter" named Roll. While these two robots were his pride and joy, they weren’t his only creations. Wanting to benefit humanity, he created a series of Robot Masters to assist with various tasks, such as construction. These robots were released into the world and functioned perfectly—until a jealous Dr. Wily intervened.

Wily hijacked the robots, turned them into an army under his control, and set them loose to cause mass destruction. To fight back and free his fellow robots, Rock asked Dr. Light to convert him into a combat model, thus becoming Mega Man (Rockman in Japan).

The Rise of Rivals

The Classic series' story is fairly straightforward at first. Mega Man 1 follows the hero as he defeats the Robot Masters and eventually captures Dr. Wily. The next few games follow a similar pattern: Wily escapes jail and attempts to conquer the world with new robots.

However, the dynamic eventually shifts. Proto Man re-enters the picture early in the series, acting as both a friend and a rival to his brother. It isn’t until Mega Man 7, though, that we see a true "anti-Mega Man" rival: Bass.

Bass was created by Dr. Wily specifically to rival Dr. Light’s Mega Man. While Bass doesn’t actually like Wily or care to follow his orders, he is obsessed with proving he is the strongest robot by defeating Mega Man himself. Despite his importance, it isn't Bass who changes the series forever, but rather his successor.

The Turning Point: Evil Energy and Project X

In Mega Man 8, an alien machine crashes onto Earth. Both Dr. Light and Dr. Wily race to the site, but Wily arrives first and recovers a strange power source known as "Evil Energy." While this energy is the main conflict of the eighth game, its lasting impact on the rest of the series is much more significant.

Around this time, unknown to the world, Dr. Light begins a new project: a successor he calls "Mega Man X." This robot is designed with unlimited potential (hence the "X") and the ability to think and feel for himself. While robots like the original Mega Man seem to have personalities, they are ultimately bound by their programming. Mega Man has a strong sense of justice because he was built that way; like the Robot Masters, he could technically be reprogrammed. X, however, is a new type of machine—as close to human as possible. Fearing the world wasn't ready for a robot with true free will, Dr. Light sealed X away in a capsule to run decades of diagnostic tests.

On the flip side, Dr. Wily began working on his own advanced robot to follow Bass. Using the Evil Energy obtained in Mega Man 8, Wily completed his ultimate masterpiece: Zero. We catch a sneak peek of Zero during the events of the second Mega Man arcade game. Wily keeps Zero sealed away for a time, but his eventual release may have spelled the end for the original cast.

The Missing Link

The only clues we have regarding what happened between the Classic and X series are found in Mega Man X4. In that game, we see flashbacks of Wily's "spirit" or recordings instructing a berserk Zero to destroy his rival. What exactly happened to Dr. Light, Rock, and the others after that point remains a matter of fan speculation and one of the biggest mysteries in the franchise.

MegaMan X - 100 Years Later:

The second main series in the timeline is Mega Man X, which opens roughly 100 years after the events of the Classic series. At this point in time, Dr. Light has passed away, and the robots he brought into the world are long gone. His lab has fallen to ruin, and Mega Man X remains sealed inside.

It isn't until a scientist named Dr. Cain discovers the lab that X is finally awakened. Fascinated by X’s unique ability to think, feel, and make his own decisions, Dr. Cain decides to replicate Dr. Light’s work. This leads to the creation of the "Reploid" line—robots based on X’s design and capabilities.

The Rise of the Mavericks

Needless to say... the world wasn't ready. Reploids having free will is much like humans having free will, except far more dangerous. These massive machines can easily be turned into weapons of war, equipped with guns, swords, rockets, and jets. If such a robot turns on humanity, it becomes a terrifying threat.

These rogue Reploids are officially dubbed "Mavericks." To combat this threat, a group of elite Reploids is formed: the Maverick Hunters. Leading them is an advanced Reploid named Sigma. He is the best of the best, commanding other elite hunters to protect humanity. Peace is briefly restored—until one fateful incident.

The Zero Incident and Sigma’s Fall

At some point, Zero is released from Dr. Wily’s hidden lab in a state of pure, murderous rage. Sigma is called in to deal with the threat, but things don’t go as planned. Although Sigma defeats the rampaging Zero by shattering the crystal on Zero's helmet, the "Evil Energy" (or Maverick Virus) transfers from Zero to Sigma himself.

This marks the start of Sigma’s descent into madness—an event that changes the world forever. Eventually, X joins the Maverick Hunters (feeling a sense of responsibility for the existence of Reploids), and a now-stable Zero is recruited as well. While the two become close friends, X is initially nowhere near as strong as Zero. When Sigma finally betrays the Hunters and declares war on humanity, he takes many elite soldiers with him. This leaves X and Zero as the only ones left to face the new Maverick threat.

 

The Canon of X1

There are actually three versions of the events of Mega Man X1: The original game, the manga adaptation, and the remake titled Maverick Hunter X with its included OVA, The Day of Sigma.

The OVA was created for the PSP remake, Maverick Hunter X. It serves as a prequel, showing the moment Sigma turns maverick and attacks the city, though it does contain some non-canon elements. For example, Dr. Cain is killed in the explosions in the OVA, but since he appears in later games like X2 and X3, the OVA is generally considered its own separate continuity.

The Story of Mega Man X1 - X4

Mega Man X1: Follows X and Zero’s mission to take down Sigma. Zero is ultimately killed during the final assault, leaving X to face Sigma alone. Throughout the journey, X finds armor upgrades left by Dr. Light. While these are holographic recordings, it’s heavily implied they may be an AI or Dr. Light’s uploaded consciousness, as the hologram seems aware of current events.

Mega Man X2: X continues his life as a hunter without Zero. The game introduces a Reploid who bears a striking resemblance to Dr. Wily, who eventually restores Zero to help X stop a resurrected Sigma.

Mega Man X3: Focuses on a failed "Anti-Virus" meant to stop the Maverick outbreaks. As expected, Sigma is the puppet master behind the chaos.

Mega Man X4: This is the turning point for the series’ storytelling. It explores X’s desire for true peace and dives deep into Zero’s dark past. We see glimpses of Dr. Wily and Zero’s original purpose, leading Zero to famously question, "What am I fighting for?" The plot centers on Repliforce, a Reploid army attempting to secede and form their own nation—a conflict that ensures things will never be the same for our heroes.

The Crisis of Mega Man X5

In Mega Man X5, we see the full impact of the Sigma Virus (as Sigma himself has now evolved into a digital virus). At this point, Sigma has infected an entire space station, the Eurasia, and set it on a collision course with Earth. It is up to X and Zero to stop the catastrophe.

To do so, they must build the Enigma Cannon to destroy the station before it’s too late. This requires gathering specific parts held by Reploids who have unfortunately been infected by the virus and turned Maverick. In the game, it is technically possible for the Enigma Cannon to destroy the colony, but the more common outcome is that it fails, forcing the players to move on to "Plan B."

Plan B involves piloting a space shuttle directly into the colony to destroy it once and for all—a dangerous mission that Zero volunteers to undertake.

The Aftermath and the Final Confrontation

Canonically, even though the shuttle destroys the colony, the debris still crashes into Earth, causing massive environmental damage. The Sigma Virus spreads globally, making the surface uninhabitable for humans. With the world in complete chaos, X and Zero head off for a final battle against Sigma in his newest body.

The climax of X5 once again focuses on Zero’s true nature. It is revealed that Sigma has somehow met with Wily in the past (potentially through the mysterious Reploid from X2). Sigma explains that the virus doesn't infect Zero to destroy him; instead, it makes him stronger. Since the virus technically originated from Zero, this comes as no surprise to the players.

Despite learning the truth about his origins, Zero takes down Sigma, but once again at the cost of his own life. X is caught in the explosion and left nearly destroyed, only to be saved by the spirit of Dr. Light. (As noted before, Light’s interventions fluctuate between pre-recorded messages and direct, sentient assistance.)

The Original Conclusion

This was originally intended to be the end of the Mega Man X series. A few years after Sigma's defeat and Zero’s death, the story concludes with X continuing the fight against Mavericks, now wielding Zero’s Z-Saber as a tribute to his fallen friend.

The Split and Retcon of X and Zero Series

Originally, Mega Man Zero 1 was meant to follow the events of X5. Keiji Inafune joined forces with Inti Creates and provided a story outline to bridge the two eras. The game was initially intended to begin with X returning Zero’s Z-Saber to him, but the overall plot had to be adjusted as production moved forward.

Ultimately, the X series was too successful for Capcom to end it at X5. As a result, Mega Man X6 went into development at Capcom at the same time Mega Man Zero 1 was being created by Inti Creates. Because both games were being developed simultaneously, significant changes had to be made to the story to ensure the two series could still eventually coexist in the same timeline.

The Last Half of the X Series

Mega Man X6 focuses on a strange new event called the "Nightmare," and it altered several story elements to make this new narrative work. The time skip originally seen at the end of X5 was shortened from several years to just a few weeks, and Zero was once again revived to remain a main character in the series.

Due to these decisions, the story of Mega Man Zero 1 also had to be altered. To ensure the two games didn't conflict, the ending of X6 was designed so that Zero is sealed away to fix a recurring issue with his body—implied to be related to the Maverick Virus. However, because the X series remained popular, this scene was eventually retconned to take place at an "unknown point in time" to allow for more sequels.

In other words, while that scene remains the definitive end of the X series timeline, many more events take place between the normal ending of X6 and Zero’s final slumber.

The Later Games: X7 and X8

Moving on, Mega Man X7 introduces "New Generation Reploids" and a new protagonist, Axl. This leads into Mega Man X8, which sets up a future where these advanced Reploids are poised to take over. This is also the game where Sigma is seemingly killed once and for all, as a new "big bad" takes the stage. Unfortunately, this is where the X series technically ends, leaving the bridge to the future unknown.

A Note on Command Mission

Timeline-wise, we also have Mega Man X Command Mission, which focuses on a Reploid rebellion. However, at the time of this writing, the game is considered its own separate timeline or "what-if" world. Since the game was released before X8 but takes place chronologically after it, it is impossible to tell if it is truly canon until the main X series continues.

The Elf Wars

Sometime after the events of the X series, a new threat emerged. Using a revolutionary AI being known as the "Mother Elf," X managed to delete the Sigma Virus once and for all, ending the Maverick outbreaks that had plagued the world.

However, a brilliant but evil scientist named Dr. Weil decided to use the Mother Elf for his own gain. He captured her and reprogrammed her into the "Dark Elf," using her power to bring all Reploids under his absolute control. Furthermore, Weil stole Zero's original body to create a terrifying new Reploid dubbed Omega, sparking the catastrophic conflict known as the Elf Wars.

Zero was eventually placed into a new, replacement body to fight alongside X. Together, they managed to defeat Omega and end the wars, but the cost was most of the population. Once the war ended, Zero chose to be sealed away once again. In the aftermath, a safe haven for the survivors was established—a utopian city-state known as Neo Arcadia, with X serving as its leader.

The Zero Series

The Zero series begins some time after the Elf Wars and, as the name suggests, features Zero as the main protagonist. The story follows Zero after he is discovered and awakened by a young scientist named Ciel, who leads a Resistance group against Neo Arcadia. At this point, the Neo Arcadian government has taken over the world and begun summarily executing innocent Reploids. Zero is told that their leader, X, has become a corrupt tyrant—but as with most things in this series, the truth isn't that simple.

While the Zero series consists of only four games, they are much more story-focused than the previous X titles. They feature hub areas to explore, multiple NPCs to interact with, and a mission-based structure. The series boasts a wide cast of characters with diverse backgrounds and interconnected story arcs.

The narrative once again dives deep into Zero’s identity. While Zero 1 serves as an introduction to this bleak new version of the world, Zero 4 relies heavily on the fallout from events like Mega Man X5. Eventually, it is revealed that the "X" ruling Neo Arcadia is actually a Copy X—a flawless but soulless replica. The real X has sacrificed his physical form to become a Cyber Elf, watching over the world in a spiritual state. Upon Zero's return, the real X steps back, leaving the fate of the world in the hands of his best friend.

By the end of the Zero series, Zero is forced into a final confrontation with Dr. Weil. He successfully puts an end to Weil’s plans and the threat of the Dark Elf, but this time, Zero does not survive the battle.

The Road to Legends

The interesting thing about the Zero series and its placement in the timeline is that the development team at Inti Creates had a specific plan from the start. Long before these games, the franchise had jumped into 3D with Mega Man Legends. Although that game had several changes for its Western release, the core plot remained: it was set at the very "end" of the Mega Man timeline.

The Zero team wanted to use their series to bridge the gap toward that distant future. This is why the Reploids in the Zero games were given more humanoid appearances and why certain design elements from Legends began to appear. With the Zero series ending the way it did, it cleared the path for a new era—one that would eventually lead the timeline to its Legends conclusion... but things were about to change once more.

The ZX Series

The Mega Man ZX series served as the successor to the Zero games, taking place hundreds of years later. By this point in the timeline, humans and Reploids have advanced to the stage where it is nearly impossible to tell them apart. Reploids have been given biological parts, while humans have become mechanically enhanced. The only distinct difference is that Reploids are marked with a red triangle symbol on their foreheads.

The Era of Biometals

The story once again centers on a conflict with a corrupt government. The protagonist is a young human—the default being a boy named Vent—who joins a new Resistance. Interestingly, this Resistance is led by a Reploid who was a supporting character back in the Zero series.

To fight, the main character utilizes a new technology known as "Biometals." These are artifacts that contain the data and souls of legendary Reploids from the past, allowing the user to "Mega-Merge" and transform into a version of that hero. In ZX1, the protagonist receives Model X, transforming into a version of Mega Man X. Eventually, they acquire Model Z (based on Zero), as well as other Biometals based on the Four Guardians from the Zero series.

A Cliffhanger Ending

Sadly, the ZX series only received two entries. The second game, ZX Advent, shifts the focus to a mysterious new Model A, which bears a striking resemblance to Axl from the X series.

Unfortunately, ZX Advent ends on a massive cliffhanger. A secret ending reveals a character's plan to "reset" the world and return it to a "natural" state. Many fans wonder: could this have been the cataclysmic event that flooded the world and led directly into the era of Mega Man Legends? Since the series has been on hiatus ever since, we may never know for sure.

A World of Endless Water

Mega Man Legends takes place thousands of years into the future on an Earth that has been almost completely flooded. Humanity lives on small islands scattered across a vast ocean, and many make a living as "Diggers," exploring ancient ruins to recover lost technology.

The story follows a 14-year-old boy who was discovered in stasis within some old ruins and was adopted by a famous Digger named Barrell Caskett. Barrell named the boy Rock (renamed "Mega Man" in the Western version) and raised him alongside his granddaughter, Roll.

From Pirates to Truth

The first Legends game focuses on the family crash-landing on Kattelox Island, where they defend the locals against a family of pirates—the Bonnes—who are searching for a legendary treasure. Legends 2 dives deeper into the mystery of Roll’s vanished parents. While these games initially seem disconnected from the rest of the series, the ending of Legends 1 and specific revelations in Legends 2 shed light on a shocking truth.

The Ultimate Twist

The reality is that this world is so far into the future that original humanity has completely died out. The "humans" currently populating the islands are actually Carbons—artificial lifeforms that represent the final step in Reploid and human evolution.

Rock himself is revealed to be a "Rockman Unit" (or Mega Man Unit), a high-level Purifier who served under the "Master"—the last true human being. His original job was that of an "Irregular Hunter" (the Japanese name for Maverick Hunters), tasked with maintaining order in the system. After a series of events left him seriously injured, he was sealed away to recover, which is where Barrell eventually discovered him.

Lost in Translation

The name change in the English release arguably weakens this plot twist. In the Japanese version, the boy is just a "normal" teenager named Rock, so the reveal that he is a Rockman Unit feels like a major discovery. In the US release, naming the "normal" kid Mega Man makes the reveal that he is a Mega Man Unit feel much less surprising.

The Current End of the Road

As of now, this is the chronological end of the series. No game has taken place after Mega Man Legends 2, and the highly anticipated Mega Man Legends 3 was unfortunately canceled years ago. It’s a shame the story hasn't moved past this cliffhanger, but perhaps we will see a conclusion someday.

However, even if this timeline ended here, it wasn't the end for the franchise...

Filling in the Gaps of the Classic Timeline

Because there are so many significant time skips in the franchise, there is plenty of room to fill in the gaps. Mega Man 9, 10, and 11 are all newer entries in the Classic series, yet they all take place before the transition to the X era.

The X series itself ended on a cliffhanger with X8, and there is still a considerable amount of time between the events of X8 and the epilogue of X6 where Zero is finally sealed away. Furthermore, the Elf Wars—perhaps the most pivotal event in the entire timeline—have never actually been shown in a game; they have only been described in dialogue and sourcebooks.

The ZX series also remains unresolved following the cliffhanger of ZX Advent. Between the Zero and ZX eras, there is a time skip that could easily be explored, and there is a massive, "massive" gap between ZX and Legends. Even if we were to get a direct sequel to ZX Advent, it wouldn't necessarily lead us straight into the world of Legends.

In short, these gaps allow for entirely new series to be created within the original timeline. Iconic eras like Classic, X, ZX, and Legends could all receive direct sequels without disrupting the overall flow. This story is far from over—and remember, this is still only one branch of the Mega Man timeline.

Going Back to the Split

As I mentioned at the beginning, there is a specific point where the two main timelines diverge. In the Classic Timeline, Dr. Light and Dr. Wily worked together on robotics. However, in the Battle Network timeline, things went quite differently.

In this universe, the equivalent of Dr. Wily works alongside a man named Dr. Tadashi Hikari (whose name translates to "Dr. Light"). While Wily remains focused on robotics research—much like his Classic counterpart—Dr. Hikari turns his attention toward creating a virtual "Cyberworld."

As history unfolds, Dr. Hikari’s internet research is prioritized over robotics, fundamentally changing the world. Naturally, Dr. Wily becomes jealous as his own work is sidelined in favor of the networking boom.

Thanks to Hikari’s breakthroughs, the entire world becomes interconnected through the Cyberworld. Instead of giant robots roaming the streets, everyone carries handheld computers called PETs, which house their very own AI companions known as NetNavis. This shift is what defines the world of Battle Network.

The Battle Network Series

While the Battle Network timeline isn’t as long or as complicated as the Classic timeline, it is an RPG series and, as a result, contains much more dialogue and plot.

The first game introduces us to our main character, Lan Hikari, and his NetNavi, Mega Man.EXE. The two get caught up in cyber-terrorist attacks led by Dr. Wily, and the game shows how the duo eventually puts an end to his plot. Of course, this only scratches the surface; Battle Network 2 introduces a new "big bad" that connects back to the first game's story, which is then expanded upon even further in Battle Network 3.

Battle Network 4 begins a new story arc (which still builds off the foundation of 1–3), while 5 and 6 serve as the conclusion to the overall saga. Many events along the way mirror what we saw in the Classic series. Characters like CutMan from Mega Man 1 appear here as NetNavis instead of robots, often playing similar villainous roles. So, while the series doesn't span as many centuries as the Robot timeline, the games themselves are packed with content.

The Three Versions of the Story

Because of the narrative depth of Battle Network, I prefer not to spoil the major twists. Chronologically, the games are fairly straightforward, but there are actually three distinct versions of this universe:

The Game Canon: This timeline follows Battle Network 1, Network Transmission, Battle Network 2, 3, Chip Challenge, 4, 5, and 6. There is also a non-canon "Navi simulator" titled 4.5: Real Operation, and multiple mobile titles.

The Anime Timeline (NT Warrior): This is a retelling of the story with tons of original content and completely altered plots. While Season 1 loosely adapts the first two games, the sequels—Axess, Stream, Beast, and Beast+—go in their own directions entirely. The events in the show generally do not relate back to the games, even though they share the same characters.

The Manga Timeline: The manga is a closer adaptation of the games than the anime, but it still exists in its own continuity. However, a recently released special chapter serves as an epilogue to both the games and the manga, which creates a bit of a gray area. This stands as the current "end" to the first era of this cyber-world timeline.

Mega Man Star Force

Mega Man Star Force is the second series in this alternate timeline, taking place 200 years after Battle Network. In this era, the physical "wired" virtual world has evolved into wireless "Wave Roads." Humanity has largely moved away from relying on NetNavis—at least initially.

The story focuses on Geo Stelar, a young boy grieving the loss of his father in a space accident. His life changes when he meets an alien named Omega-Xis, who fuses with him to transform him into the new hero in town: Mega Man. The first game primarily focuses on Geo’s emotional journey as he learns to open up to others while defending Earth from alien invaders.

As the series progresses, the world begins to shift back toward the familiar mechanics of the past. By Star Force 3, a new version of Navis—known as Wizards—becomes the global standard. Unfortunately, this is where the timeline currently halts. Star Force 3 is the final entry, and we have yet to see where the series will head next.

The Crossover: Operation Shooting Star

There was, however, one very special addition to the lore. Rockman.EXE: Operation Shooting Star was a DS remake of the original Battle Network 1. It features a bonus scenario where Geo (following the events of Star Force 3) travels back in time to stop a new threat.

This arc takes place during a previously unexplored time skip in Battle Network 1, allowing Lan and Geo to meet and work together. The story is handled carefully so that nothing in the established Battle Network canon is retconned, and while it doesn't significantly advance the Star Force plot, it officially confirms that both eras are part of the same continuous timeline.

The Star Force Anime

Like its predecessor, Star Force received an anime adaptation. While it stayed slightly closer to the source material than the Battle Network anime did, it still followed its own unique narrative path.

Chronologically, the Star Force anime serves as a sequel to Mega Man NT Warrior: Beast+, placing it firmly in the "Anime Timeline" rather than the "Game Timeline." Unlike the long-running Battle Network show, however, this adaptation was shorter, consisting of only two series: Star Force and Star Force Tribe.

The End

And that’s basically it! That was my complicated, long-winded explanation of the Mega Man Timeline. If you actually read through all of that without getting confused, congratulations—and thank you so much for taking the time!

This post ended up being much longer than I originally expected, but I had a great time revisiting the lore. Writing this reminded me just how much I love this series as a whole and how much I’m looking forward to new entries being released. With so many plot points still left open, I really hope we can finally fill in those gaps one day.

Until next time, guys!