Metal Slug Anthology review

Big guns, bigger tanks, and a whole lot of classic 2D shooter on your PSP

12DOVE Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Seven games on one disc

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    Funny moments (mecha-ostrich?)

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    Looks great

  • +

    plays better

Cons

  • -

    Not much variety overall

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    Multiplayer local only

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    Load times

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The Metal Slug series is one of those litmus tests for gamers. Some think it's the pinnacle of classic, 2D arcade side-scrollers such as Contra and the recently 360-fied Alien Hominid. Just two gun-toting friends charging constantly to the right, blasting every superdeformed tank, copter, soldier and ammo dump in your path into fireballs in an orgy of bombast and buddy-dom. Others call it a fossil, dislike 2D graphics no matter how great the animation, aren't moved by giant explosions or whimsical game design, and think these games are just too damn hard.

Metal Slug Anthology, which collects all seven arcade Metal Slug titles, is destined to reinforce both of those schools of thought. But given the choice, we'll take the one that lets us unload into projectile-vomiting zombies, drive jumping tanks, get fat, fight giant mutant barracuda and ride camels with laser cannons in their saddlebags.

The games themselves - Metal Slugs 1-6 and the 2.5 version called "X,"play smoothly with the PSP controls, and though they have to be blown up slightly to fill out the PSP's screen (there's a too-small authentic view and a too-stretched widescreen choice as well) it's some of the best 2D you're ever likely to see. Of course, they play beautifully but brutally, like the arcade-tuned, nerve-grinding, reflex shredders they are - you can set it up for infinite continues if you like, and even save your game mid-level.

More info

GenreAction
DescriptionThe flagship old-school, side-scrolling arcade shooter series collects all seven of its guns and hits the small screen with all the color, wacky personality, and bombast that you'd expect.
Franchise nameMetal Slug
UK franchise nameMetal Slug
Platform"PS2","Wii","PSP"
US censor rating"Teen","Teen","Teen"
UK censor rating"12+","12+","12+"
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
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Eric Bratcher
I was the founding Executive Editor/Editor in Chief here at GR, charged with making sure we published great stories every day without burning down the building or getting sued. Which isn't nearly as easy as you might imagine. I don't work for GR any longer, but I still come here - why wouldn't I? It's awesome. I'm a fairly average person who has nursed an above average love of video games since I first played Pong just over 30 years ago. I entered the games journalism world as a freelancer and have since been on staff at the magazines Next Generation and PSM before coming over to GamesRadar. Outside of gaming, I also love music (especially classic metal and hard rock), my lovely wife, my pet pig Bacon, Japanese monster movies, and my dented, now dearly departed '89 Ranger pickup truck. I pray sincerely. I cheer for the Bears, Bulls, and White Sox. And behind Tyler Nagata, I am probably the GR staffer least likely to get arrested... again.