Release Date: September 2005
Platforms: GameCube
Developer: Kuji London
Publisher: Nintendo
Genre: Action / Real Time Tactics
Prep: Released only on the GameCube. Can be emulated easily with Dolphin emulator.

Pre-Game: by Filbert


The 6th generation of consoles will always be special to me. The era of the GameCube, PS2, and Xbox was during my pre-teens into teenage years. I remember being 13 and many friends were already talking about how they can’t wait to be 20. Being able to party, have money, their own place. I still recall a conversation with a friend around that time (we were probably 12-13). We had no jobs, no real responsibilities, and pointed out how we at the moment were able to just hang out in each other houses and play games all weekend.

Which me and friends spent many of weekends and summers hanging out playing too many video games. We were restricted by car rides, where we could reach on our bikes, still too young for too many distractions in life. The GameCube was the only console I owed of the 6th generation. Because of that the era of the purple lunch box has always been a clear defined chapter in my life. When I think back to games I played on the GameCube I can often connect them to other memories around that time.

Which brings me to Battalion Wars. When I reflect about the GameCube I remember Madden 2002. It was day after Christmas, and Madden 2002 was the first game I purchased for the console using some Christmas money (partly because it was only 20 dollars). When I remember Battalion Wars it brings me to the book end of the 6th generation.

Battalion Wars was on the tail end of major games Nintendo published on the console. The GameCube still another another solid year and titles such as Mario Party 7, Chibi Robo, and Pokemon XD Gale of Darkness. Around this time excitement was building for the 7th generation. I believe this was probably the first game I bought by driving myself to the store.

Battalion Wars was a game that released and I recall not even knowing it was a game in development. I remember reading a few reviews which sung it’s praises and it appeared to be a game right up my alley. I bought it in October with some birthday money which would of been the same month I turned 16 and was finally able to drive. Due to that major chapter in my personal life, this game really marked a transition period in my life as well as my experience with the GameCube. Now, the GameCube wasn’t over for me, but how I played it began to change.

The last year of the GameCube is also when I got my first part time job. I went from getting a game very few months and investing time in discovering every aspect of the game. To picking up often 20 dollar player’s choice games every couple weeks and playing a lot of titles I had to pass on earlier in the generation.

I haven’t beat Battalion Wars likely since 2005 or 2006. Though, I still remember playing it and having a blast. Being surprised this was a Nintendo published game since it was so war focused. It does it in a more cartoonish way much like Advanced Wars or even the classic Army Men games. One thing I remember appreciating about the game was being able to control individual soldiers or units. I’ve always been drawn to games that have big conflict though they let you control a single unit/solider in that conflict.

I have went back to Battalion Wars a few times. Yet, each time only playing the first handful of missions. This EXP Monthly will be the first time I have beaten it and played through more than the first few missions in…. two decades… (Man do I feel old typing that). As I type this it’s October 27th and I just turned 37. I’m sure as I play this game is going to take me back to being 16 gaming in simpler times. I’m hoping as I play it might jog a few memories from 20 years ago.

I am excited to hear others thoughts and see how this game holds up in a modern lens.