""It's like a death sentence for him.""

Metro-Cross was released in arcades in 1985 by Namco. It is a fun, unique game that has an insane difficulty once you get past the third level. Anybody who wants to test their reflexes should give Metro-Cross a try, but bring a pocket full of quarters with you and don't plan on having any left by the time you are done.

Metro-Cross is a running hazard game. You star as SURVIVABLE RUNNER. Your goal is to run down a hallway and try to make it to the exit in time. This is a lot easier said then done, because scattered throughout the hallway are green tiles that slow you down, explosive pads that go off if you touch them and green frogs that try to gang up on you and slow you down to a crawl. The good news is you can't die in Metro-Cross. The bad news is there is a timer on each level and if you aren't fast enough to make it to the goal by timer's end, it's game over.

Try as I might, I am not very good at Metro-Cross. I wouldn't be surprised if 95 percent of the world's population would find this game excruciatingly difficult. That doesn't stop this game from being really fun. I am improving ever so slightly and can now make it to the eight level on one credit. Sadly, level nine and onward kick my butt like nobodies business. At least it has continues.

The graphics are amazing (for 1985). Namco really impressed me here. Sound effects are great, and the music is good.

I think this game has universal appeal, even with the insane difficulty. It's kind of surprising how under the radar Metro-Cross is. It is something Namco should be proud to have in their legacy. Give Metro-Cross a shot and I'll come just a hair short of guaranteeing you will get into it.

I think I'll end this review talking about frogs. I hate the frogs in Metro-Cross. They make me so mad. Those frogs have screwed me out of so many quarters in Metro-Cross that I think I'll be going to a french restaurant soon and will order up some amphibian legs. Namco taught me to hate frogs and you will too if you get hooked on Metro-Cross.

Reviewer's Score: 6/10, Originally Posted: 08/23/05