Customer Reviews

Metal Slug Anthology

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After numerous delays, SNK has finally brought the Metal Slug Anthology to the PS2. This game has already been out for a few months on the Wii and for about a month on the Sony PSP, but the PS2 version is the best version to get of this game.

Think of Metal Slug as Contra on steroids/crack and you'll have a proper understanding of what all of these games are about. For the most part, you run to the right side of the screen laying waste to everything in your past while rescuing hostages and sometimes getting access to vehicles called Metal Slugs to cause even more damage. Most of the game is spent running and shooting, but they also spice things up with some shooter type segments in which you're in a flying vehicle of some sort (and at one point a small submarine type thing).

Basically, you get all 7 proper Metal Slug games on one disc (well, really 6 as Metal Slug X was a re-working of part 2 that fixed most of the extreme slow down problems of Metal Slug 2), all are emulated almost perfectly from the original SNK Neo-Geo system ROM's. The only slight downside is that there is some in game loading when you finish one area of a level and are heading to the next area. The game will pause for about 1 to 3 seconds (though the music will keep going) while the game loads the next area. While some purists will decry this and say that it ruins the game, it only breaks up the breakneck pace just the very slightest and was kind of unavoidable.

The games are slightly letterboxed with black bars on the left & right side of the TV screen to approximate the original arcade screen size.

As for the games themselves, I found them to be arcade perfect ports all the way disregarding the slight load times. Some people are upset that they didn't just put the PS2 ports of 3, 4, and 5 that have already been out for the PS2 either in the states or Japan on this collection instead of emulating the original arcade ROM's, but I think that these emulations do a much better job of preserving every single frame of animation as well as the proper arcade feel of the original Neo-Geo titles. There is some slow down at times, but this was present in the original games and can actually help out in hectic parts at times.

The animation is the most important thing of Metal Slug games and since these are great emulations of the original ROM's, nothing is missing in this regard. The sound/music is also duplicate flawlessly. The Metal Slug games have always had great music anyway.

Some people have complained that there is a lag in the controls at times, but I've played through all 7 games and found that the control is dead on.

The first Metal Slug feels a little more sluggish compared to the rest of the games, but that's more due to how they chose to animate your character when you turn from left to right as well as jumping. Never did I die as a result of some lag time in the controls, everything just felt right in that regard.

Probably the best part of this collection is the fact that Metal Slug 6 (which is a fairly recent game) has been included on this game. I would say that next to part 3 (which was ported to the US X-Box but not the US PS2), it's the best game of the series by far.

Extras include unlockable art galleries when you beat each game, you can listen to the music of each game and there's a text interview with some of the original game developers about the Metal Slug series.

They could have maybe included some of the combat school extras from the Neo Geo CD versions of 1 & 2, but you really can't complain too much.

Each game takes around 45 to 60 minutes to beat, which might not be seen as much, but these are more of old school games in which the point was a quick burst of pure pick-up-and-play gameplay. But when you combine all 7 of these in one package for only 40 dollars, you can't beat it for pure adrenaline pumping fun.

The PS2 version corrects most of the errors of the PSP and Wii versions as well as minimizing the in game load times.

Highly recommended!

I once owned an AES copy of Metal Slug X in the late 90's which I paid over $300 brand new. I loved the whole Metal Slug series. Played it constantly at any arcade that featured the game. So when I heard late last year that a complete collection was coming out soon, I was pretty thrilled.

My copy of Metal Slug Anthology finally arrived last week. The collection features every MVS Metal Slug game that was released in the arcades, as well as the home Neo-Geo system. Along with the 7 Metal Slug games, the collection also features a few extras such art, music, and interviews.

Aside from some loading, the action is just as intense and frantic as you remembered from the arcades. All the big pixel explosions and huge bosses are there as expected.

Here are all the games:

Metal Slug 1
Metal Slug 2
Metal Slug X
Metal Slug 3
Metal Slug 4
Metal Slug 5
Metal Slug 6

Metal Slug 6 features different game-play features such as the ability to switch between stored weapons. The graphics have been overhauled. The music and voice also sound different.

Overall, this is quite an exceptional collection. The ability to own every Metal Slug game on one disc for around $40 is quite a deal, especially when you consider that these games originally went for $300 or more each on the Neo-Geo system. Also, you get a neatly sized package versus the original huge carts.

If you enjoyed any of the Metal Slug games, I suggest that you do not pass up this awesome collection. Rocket Louncher!

What the Metal Slug series has always lacked in innovation has always been made up for in terms of action, humor, and just plain old insane gameplay. Finally, SNK Playmore has compiled all of the Metal Slug games to grace arcades on one handy disc with the Metal Slug Anthology, and despite a few minor flaws, this package is a superbly sweet deal. All 7 Metal Slug games are here, including Metal Slug X and the excellent Metal Slug 6 (making it's debut on the consoles), along with a few extras like interviews and art galleries as well. And as any Metal Slug fan would come to expect, every game is challenging beyond belief. For newcomers though, there is the option to play with infinite lives, but purists can still get their fill here as well. There are a few noticeable flaws to Metal Slug Anthology however; most notably is the frequent load times that pop up during the game and the moments of slowdown and occasionally laggy controls. Despite all that though, Metal Slug Anthology still manages to satisfy in nearly every aspect, and although it would have been nice for SNK Playmore to include some more bonuses on the disc, this is a sweet pick up regardless.

For those who aren't in the know, Metal Slug is a true classic gaming franchise. I'd put it well above Contra as the best side scrolling shooter ever.

I remember when I first saw Metal Slug 1. Me and a friend of mine were at the bowling alley when we first saw and played it. It blew our minds. This game had us talking for days about how cool we thought it was. About all the cool stuff we saw and experienced while playing it. We couldn't wait to go back and play it again. It soon became our favorite game and couldn't play it enough. As time went on, I'd hear rumors of it appearing on this console or that one and I remember the feeling of wanting to do or pay anything to have it. Then the sequels came out in the arcades and I remember how fun it was to see the new versions, see the differences and have so much fun playing them. Well now they're all here.

These games are so fun and unique. The art style is so original and ineteresting (you gotta hand it to SNK for sticking with the 2D sprites in their games),there's really nothing quite like it. The idea is simple, take one or two soldiers through various stages fighting pseudo WWII German soldiers, zombies, and other various creatures. At the end of each stage are some of the funnest and most original boss battles you'll ever see. Along the way are a great variety of weapons and vehicles to use to destroy everything. Machine guns, flame throwers, shotguns, grenades, rocket launchers, tanks, planes, and submarines are just some that come to mind. The animations for the stages are great and characters are hilarious. It's violence but in such a comical and semi-realistic way. The controls are great on all of these games as well as the unique graphics and sound.

So if your new to this series and are even the slightest bit interested, feel free to jump in and try it, you will not regret it. For those of you familiar with this series at all, this is one of the easiest guaranteed no brainer buys ever. Six games on 1 disc!!! But get it while you can because like Capcom, SNK is notorious for not producing enough of each title and then they get harder to find and the price goes up and up.

This series is like a nightmare cartoon version of Contra. It is insanely difficult and challenging. I found this to be much harder than Contra itself. This is the equivalent "Touhou" of this genre. Even on easy mode, a seasoned video game player will be using multiple continues. If you are someone who is easily frustrated with extreme challenge, this is so not for you. Prepare for quite a few one hit K.O. / deaths. Yes, this is one of those where the slow hovering unrealistic dot will send your character into death throes.

Despite the ferocious challenge level and a few irritating game play elements, this is, in true SNK fashion, a very fun series of games. It doesn't have quite the Nintendo "Mario" depth of play or fun of say, Yoshi's Island or something, however it is really fun in its own way. The artwork and backgrounds are quite stunning to look at and almost have a pseudo Bluth look to them. There is also a sense of humor going on. Playing through this, you get a sense of how there is this rivalry between how fun it is versus the "pump quarters in it for the SNK profit margin" element. It was designed to force an arcade gamer to pump quarters into the machine. Of course, that brings up the huge upshot of this collection... no having to use an actual quarter to continue.

So it is fun, yet not as fun or playable as Mario. It is like Contra, only much, much harder. The play controls can be frustrating at times. Did I mention how insanely challenging it is?! Yet, somehow it is different enough (especially different LOOKING) so that it has enough fun to play for hours. The hand drawn cartoon animation is actually pretty good. The look is like ... at times, it reminds me of really good 1980's cartoons like Inspector Gadget (Penny was awesome!). Other times it looks like some pseudo Don Bluth anime.

If you are ready for action, ready for insane adversity and ready to spam continue (without quarters this time) then this might be for you!

After being extremely disappointed with the Wii version of this title, I decided to bite the bullet and spend the extra cash so I could play it with some decent controls on the PS2. And for the most part, I was not disappointed. I was instantly wisked back to my teen years in the 90's while taking in this great series. I've always seen Metal Slug not only as great gameplay, but also as a work of art with its detailed graphics and fluid animation. It also isn't afraid to poke fun at the genre it belongs to with its tongue-in-cheek, over-the-top action.
My only complaint with this release is that in some of the later titles, the controls seem to have a bit of lag. I thought I was imagining things at first, but when I switched between the titles like MS1 and MS4 and 5, I noticed that the first game has very responsive controls while there was some definite lag on the fourth and fifth between entering the commands and the action taking place on screen. It's very slight, but still noticeable.
Despite the laggy control in the later titles, I would still recommend without hesitation Metal Slug Anthology for the PS2 to retro-gaming fans.

I got this game for my brother a few years back and we still play it! It's fun and a classic.

I have always being a fan of the Metal Slug series, with its humor, its action packed gameplay and its flawless 2D animation. But for a long time, you could only play these games on the arcade if you didn't want to shell out big bucks for a Neo-Geo. So, when I heard this anthology was going to be available for the PS2, I bought it the moment it came out.
Now, the disc contains seven games, from Metal Slug to Metal Slug 6 and they are just as I remember them, down to the annoying slow-down issues of Metal Slug 2, and as you complete each game, you'll unlock galleries, music and interviews.
The only thing I miss was the "Combat School" of Metal Slug X, otherwise, this is a fine collection, sure to please hardcore SNK or 2D game fans.

2 words across the video gaming platform brings fear into the hearts of men. METAL SLUG! and with the exception of a term of ''Anthology'' put together makes it even more devastating. This is thy most testosterone-crammed Die hard-istic run&gun shooter ever assembled! the controls are simplistic for the gore-tastic swarm of action that is waiting for you to feast on. The animation is cartoon-ish but it still keeps that Combative-steel knife feel that no other 2D shooter can deliver.
This is the game that action films are made of and it humbles the ideal of what every action star is and should be.
If your looking for a more complex and conceptual plot, you won't find that here.
This is strictly made for the machine-gunner lover! and those who have a fetish for explosive patriotic motives which leaves you with an exhausted yet satisfying feel of a tension after playing one whole game! (which is clearly presented by the antagonistic saddam hussien carbon copy your constantly fighting to prevent schemes from.) for this is a must-have in any action gamer's gallery.
I can't recommend this game enough! for the true medals that you receive in this game is the collection of saving P.O.W's without dying once in a level and the urge embetter your player ranking score. 10 out of 5!..Yep it's that good!

If you were never a fan of metal slug or dont know what it is let me break it down for you. Cartoony military dudes shooting everything in their path. If that sounds appealing to you pick this collection up. It contains the first 7 games including metal slug x. if you are a ps2 owner get it! you wont regret it.