Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3727 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Atari
• Released on: 2007-03-30
• Platform: Nintendo Wii
• Dimensions: 7.48" h x .39" w x 5.51" l,

Amazon.co.uk Review
Now that almost any old console or arcade machine can easily be emulated retro gaming has become bigger business than ever. Nowhere else is that more true than with Neo-Geo games, arcade and home console titles whose 2D graphical prowess were matched only by their price (which is why only the hardcore know about them). Now though everyone can experience the classic games of old, including the entire Metal Slug series – one of the finest side-scrolling shooters of all time. This compilation includes all seven of the core games, including the brand new Metal Slug 6 and Metal Slug X. If you’ve never played a Metal Slug game before it’s functionally similar to games like Contra/Gryzor as you trundle from left to right across the screen perforating with extreme prejudice anyone that comes your way (usually Nazi stand-ins or aliens).

Although Metal Slug's set-up is both simplistic and unoriginal it's the execution that makes it shine. Weapon upgrades include everything from a lighting bolt shooting cloud to a machine-gun equipped monkey helper, as well as the eponymous metal slugs: heavily armed vehicles ranging from tanks to helicopters, jet planes, submarines, ostriches and elephants. The attention to detail in the animation is incredible, helped by the game's wicked sense of black humour. However, although all the games are essentially arcade perfect not all of them are as well regarded as each other (particularly numbers 4 and 5) and the controls aren’t necessarily well suited to either the Wii or PSP – although the former includes a lot of bizarre alternative motion control options. In the end though the only real flaw is the extra loading pauses throughout the games, but if you can ignore that this is an excellent celebration of one of 2D gaming’s greatest bastions.
HARRISON DENT

Customer Reviews

ven Games in One - Side Scrolling Bliss
Metal Slug Anthology provides Metal Slugs 1, 2, X, 3, 4, 5 and 6 all in one package. There are a few extras as well, including artwork and text interviews.

This includes every Metal Slug game made, and includes the brand new, never seen Metal Slug 6. In Metal Slug 6, the enemies of the old games join forces with you against a new, nasty enemy. You also get new characters - the Ikari Warriors Clark and Ralf from the Kingdom Fighter game.

There are varying levels of difficulty, and also a variety of controller setups to choose from. For example, in one mode you hold the Wii controller sideways, use the buttons to move and fire, but have to actually make a throwing motion with your hand to launch a grenade. Be sure to experiment with all of the different controller styles for a little while to figure out which one best suits your style. It's going to be an adjustment no matter which one you go with, compared with the old style standard controller with lots of button pressing. Yes, it'll be annoying at first. Just tough it out through that period and soon it'll start to seem second nature to do the movements.

The graphics are typical Metal Slug, which means they're not incredibly detailed close-ups of human style faces - they are just flying bullets, scrolling landscapes and lots of explosions. Really, you don't play Metal Slug to ogle at finely detailed castles and flowing capes. You play it to blast away thousands of bullets at a never ending stream of enemies, alone or with a friend. These are the types of games where you have a buddy over for the afternoon, sit down for a few hours with a bowl of popcorn and rip through an entire game for fun. It's mindless, it's relaxing, and it's satisfying to win the game.

If you're a fan of the previous games, it's of course great fun to play Metal Slug 6, with its all new enemies, storyline, and levels. If you've memorized all the previous games and levels, this gives you a new challenge to take on. If you've not played the others before, you can catch up on the entire franchise all on one game disc. It's pretty amazing that you can get seven full different games on one disc, for one price.

There's still no speech, but they do provide cut scenes to give you a sense of the story that is unfolding. Easy mode gives unlimited machine gun fire but not as many reward tokens - graduate up to harder mode to get the standard pistol fire as your default and to unlock secrets more quickly.

It's a little frustrating when you take on the enemies, because they do not flash to show you if you're hitting an area that can actually take damage. Still, that's a minor complaint in a game this fun. Highly recommended for old school side scrolling fans!

Don't bother with the arcade versions now
The Metal Slug arcade machines are notorious for being unbelievably hard. It's not uncommon to find yourself feeding well over $10 into a machine just to finish the game. Multiply that by 7 and you might come close to even $100 if you are playing with a partner.

Instead, invest your dough in the Metal Slug Anthology. The games are perfect arcade emulations and you get infinite continues. They are still very, very hard and you'll never finish a single level with all of your stats intact, but it's a fun ride nonetheless. Some of the games can be a bit samey and you'll finish them all in about an hour. But for chaotic, button-bashing mayhem with loads of explosions and firepower, you can't go wrong with Metal Slug.

Graphics A
Sound B
Gameplay B
Lasting Appeal B-

Great acrade shooting
this game really is great fun. its simple button bashing at its best. you get 7 games all with there own wacky storylines and you get to play them muiltplayer 2! the only problem with this game is that its to short, but the games do have great replay value. another must have for the wii.