The game is set in the Battle Network setting, but both MegaMan.EXE and Geo Stelar appear together and are playable. The game is largely identical to the original title with the exception of an extra chapter involving Geo's appearance and a battle against a new NetNavi named ClockMan. However this chapter is completely disconnected from the storyline of the game and is not mentioned again afterward. The battle system is retained from the original Battle Network series, with the addition of some fine-tuning that the system saw throughout the series's progression. The player is able to control either Mega Man in battle after the ClockMan chapter. The two Mega Men do not play identically; Star Force Mega Man brings his ability to lock-on to far-away targets, as well as a brief shield to block minor attacks. Both Mega Men utilize Battle Chips instead of Battle Cards, and new Chips appear. The PET interface has been revamped to allow for touch-screen capabilities. The touch screen also serves as a map while traversing the cyber world has also been added.
Development
In January 2009, monthly Japanese magazine CoroCoro Comic held their annual Mega Man boss design contest. However, unlike previous contests, it was unknown what upcoming Mega Man title the winning boss would appear in, nor was it revealed even after the winner was announced as Clock Genius in the April 2009 issue. At the 2009 World Hobby Fair convention in Japan, the new Mega Man title was finally unveiled as a cross-over between the Battle Network and Star Force series. There was early speculation that the title may not just be a crossover, but also a remake of a previous Battle Network title, fueled by a comment made in an interview by GameTrailers with series producer Takeshi Horinouchi. Horinouchi later confirmed the speculation with the launch of the official teaser website announcing that the game is an enhanced remake of the first Battle Network title. The Battle Network series officially ended in 2005 with the release of Mega Man Battle Network 6 for the Game Boy Advance. Around the 20th anniversary of the Mega Man franchise, Capcom was receiving a strong sentiment from fans wanting a new Battle Network title. Horinouchi stated that they wanted one more try at the series. He explained, "This game’s inspiration is actually a celebratory image drawn by the designer for Mega Man’s 20th anniversary. From that time, I’d secretly been thinking 'In time we should try something neat with EXE and Star Force.’ Thus, our next project Rockman EXE Operate Shooting Star has come to be started. Essentially, this is a Mega Man Battle Network 1 remake for the DS, porting it and adding something extra. You the fans may be wondering, what sort of theme comes with combining EXE and Shooting Star? This is something that Battle Network fans of course, and Star Force fans as well, will enjoy."
Reception
According to the Japanese publication Famitsu, Rockman.EXE: Operate Shooting Star was the ninth best-selling game in Japan during its release week at approximately 23,000 copies sold. A total of 44,110 units were sold in Japan by the end of 2009.
