Metal Slug 3

"The best ever, absolutely incredible!"

I've been playing video games for years now and oh so rarely does one this fine come along. The metal slug series is fantastic, and Metal Slug 3 is no exception to the rule! Nazca and SNK took all of the elements that made metal slug successful and built upon them, more weapons, more vehicles, more styles of gameplay, more action, and more mayhem! As the series progressed more artistic license was taken in the character design, and stages, and Metal Slug 3 is an all out attempt at making the best shooter ever.

First off the general theme that the aliens are behind everything still exists but the game has shifted focus from being you against a nazi-style regime to you against enemies of every shape and size in an all out brawl. Giant crab-like creatures attack you, huge underwater eels attempt to crush you, a multitude of mini-bosses harrass you, abomidable snowmen freeze you, zombies eat you, mummies mummify you, aliens, clones, the list just goes on and on and on. Its a refreshing change of pace. Along with the enemies comes entirely new ways to play, traditional land based gameplay is mixed with underwater fighting, one level is a horizonal flying shooter complete with both Jet Fighter and Helicopter slugs, not to mention a neat jetpack.... another level is a vertical shooter, and to make it more interesting the game is littered with multiple paths and secret areas.

What? Did you say multiple paths? YUP! You are frequently given the choice of taking teleport pods to new destinations, or simply walking a different way in normal gameplay can expose whole new areas. Playing the game once you can't see it all! Finally, this game is long, definetely the longest metal slug to date, and extremely difficult (I think!) compared with metal slug 1/2/X. Which is perhaps the only failing point of the game, in the other metal slugs I felt that my skill could keep me alive, but MS3 throws so much at you, and the bosses are truly so wicked that you are bound to die countless times as the game progresses regardless of how badass you are.

Being somewhat of a Neo Geo purist (I own an mvs system) I secretly hope that this game is not released on anything else, like the dreamcast. BUT rumours abound that its in the works so perhaps many more non-arcade goers will get to play this tremendous shooter.

Graphics - 10

I love 2D graphics, and you just can't beat these. Huge enemies, really cool effects, scaling, blobs, its just great. Metal Slug 3 has no slowdown as far as I can see, even in the heat of crazy battles. In fact the only slow moment is the first 1/4 second of the game, the titles don't look smooth. Otherwise no problems.

Sound - 9

The only reason the sound didn't get a 10 was because its not CD quality, but obviously due to the limitations in the neo geo hardware. The music is really good though, and theres alot of it, and its mostly new, except the old favorite themes etc are still there. The sound effects of the creatures / enemies are also very well done. Its probably my favorite metal slug soundtrack to date. Also of note is the redone announcers voice for the powerups, its much more professional, the guy who says ''Heavy Machine Gun!'' sounds less like an SNK programmer or desk jockey than in previous incarnations of the game.

Gameplay - 10

Metal Slug rocks... with the enhancements made over the other titles in the series this will keep you coming back for more, it was thoroughly enjoyable (but very hard! granted I played on the hardest difficulty setting... ) Very replayable.... I love it!

Overall - 10

Simply fantastic, I can't stop extolling the many virtues of this game. It has come as close to a perfect arcade shooter as I can remember. If you see it, play it. If you own a neo geo home system, buy it. If you own an mvs system, buy it (its a bit on the pricey side now though!) though it should be noted that it comes in an oh so cool crystal clear shell, and if you own some other system, wait with bated breath for an arcade perfect port.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/19/00, Updated 07/19/00