"10th Aniversary of Metal Slug"

Metal Slug Anthology is the release of the 7 main Metal Slug games in celebration of the 10th year of Metal Slug. Metal Slug is a series of side scrolling shooters which debuted in 1996 for the NEO GEO. Since then, sequels have been released for multiple platforms. While the basic formula of Metal Slug has remained intact, there have been many different gameplay additions in each sequel. Anthology contains Metal Slug 1, 2, 3, X, 4, 5 and 6.

Controls
------------
Metal Slug is a side scroller, with simple controls. X makes your character jump, square is the attack/action button, which controls your firearms, knife, and melee attacks. Circle throws a stick grenade, and triangle is used to switch weapons in Metal Slug 6. The R button is used to set your Metal Slug to self destruct.

Attacking is simplified for the user. Going close to an enemy and pressing the attack button will use your knife or melee attacks, and press it while relatively far away will make your character fire your guns. Each characters starts off with 10 grenades, with the exception of one character in Metal Slug 6. These grenades can be used to deal massive damage to enemies. Metal Slug 6 featured a system which allowed the player to keep two long guns, as well as their pistol, and switch between them at any time by pressing the triangle button.

Storyline
-------------
The storyline isn't anything magnificent, as the focus of Metal Slug games is the action. The Regular Army, which you play as, sends the Metal Slug team on missions to defeat Morden, who is a parody of Adolf Hilter during the Second World War. While the enemies mostly stick with WWII based weapons, the Regular Army seems to have much more advanced weapons available to them. The "Main" protagonists seem to be Marco and Tarma, with the addition of Fio and Eri later in the series.

Gameplay
-------------
With the exception of Metal Slug one, you start each game by selecting the solider that you would like to play as. When you have made that choice, you start the first level, and play all the way through to the final level. You will find yourself shooting hoards of enemies such as bugs, soldiers, tanks, APCs, trucks, planes, helicopters, aliens, zombies, mummies, and rebels. Your goal in each level seems to be getting to the end and defeating the boss of the stage. Many of the levels feature alternative paths to get to the end, where most of the time you will have to defeat different enemies, but you will end up at the same boss fight.

Metal Slug mixes humour into the game, with cartoon-styled actions and reactions. Prisoners of War are amusing little men you can rescue, usually with beneficial effects for the players. The series' namesake, Metal Slug, is a variety of combat ready vehicles. The original Metal Slug is a tank featuring a side vulcan and a large cannon. The player can use these vehicles to aid in their success. If a player reaches the end of a level after rescuing PoWs and without dying, bonus points are awarded. Bonus points are also awarded for having a Metal Slug at the end of each level. Various objects such as food, letters, dolls, and animals are collectible for points.

Audio/ Video
-----------------
Metal Slug has quite an impressive soundtrack with different tracks for many of the areas. Many of the later Metal Slug games feature remixes of familiar Metal Slug themes. The sound effects remain the same for the most part, and you will grow to enjoy these sound effects.

The visual aspect of Metal Slug has never attempted anything too great. Rather, Metal Slug focuses on comedy in enemy animations to entertain the player throughout the level.

The Bad?
-------------------------------
The game has lots of areas where it must load before you can proceed in the later games, such as Metal Slug 5 and 6. Metal Slug 2 also feature some lag. The screen has been intentionally squashed down, and could have taken the entire screen, but it appears that SNK wanted it centered. Players will also notice some slowdown in areas with lots of explosions and special effects, but this won't happen much.

Replayability
----------------------
Featuring 7 games in total, and with an army of unlockable music, wallpapers, artwork and an interview, this game will be bound to please both fans of the Metal Slug series and casual gamers. MSA is a pick up and play style of game, so it is perfect for a quick fix of gaming on the go. If you know someone else who owns the game, you can link up and play with them as well. Metal Slug with multiple people makes it much more enjoyable. You will find yourself coming back to this game again and again.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/05/07, Updated 05/30/08

Game Release: Metal Slug Anthology (US, 02/20/07)