Metal Slug
Encyclopedia
is a run and gun video game for the Neo-Geo
console/arcade platform developed by Nazca Corporation
and published by SNK
. It was originally released in 1996
for the MVS arcade platform. The game is widely known for its sense of humor, fluid hand-drawn animation, and fast paced two-player action. It is the first title in the Metal Slug series.
The player (1 is Marco and 2 is Tarma) has to constantly shoot at a continual stream of enemies in order to reach the end of a level. At the end of each level, the player confronts a boss
who is often considerably larger than regular enemies and takes many shots to defeat. On the way through the level, the player finds weapons upgrades and "Metal Slug" tanks, known as the SV-001 (Super Vehicle), that can be used not only as weapons but also as added defense.
The protagonists can perform melee attacks by using a knife and/or kicking. The player does not die for simply coming into contact with most enemies. Correspondingly, many of the enemy troops have melee attacks. Much of the game's scenery is destructible. Sometimes this reveals extra items or powerups, most of the time it simply results in collateral damage
.
During the course of a level, the player encounters prisoners of war. If they are freed, the player can receive bonuses in the form of random items or weapons. The player receives a score bonus for freeing POWs at the end of the level; at this point the game shows the name and rank for each of the prisoners freed. If the player dies before the end of the level, the tally of freed POWs is restarted.
There are a total of six levels, with themes ranging from forests, garrisoned cities, snowy mountain valleys, canyons, and military bases.
s, mobile artillery, aircraft
, armored personnel carriers and technical
s. Much of the game's humor comes from how the enemies portray themselves. The player encounters them at many times of leisure: sunbathing, roasting food over a fire, or just conversing among themselves. They will also scream loudly if they see the player, while doing these things.
version of the game was produced, which featured a "Combat School" mode that allows the player to revisit previously-played stages, but with new mission objectives to fulfill.
Sega Saturn
and PlayStation versions were also released. The Saturn version was available in two different versions, 1.002 and 1.005, the latter with minor bug fixes, and are no longer in production. The PlayStation version is currently being distributed by SNK Playmore as a re-release version. Both ports feature the Combat School, while the PlayStation version feature a new game mode dubbed "Another Story", which consists of a series of plot-based mini-games.
In 2006, Metal Slug Anthology
(titled Metal Slug Complete in Japan) was released for the Wii
, PlayStation 2
and PSP
. This compilation includes the original Metal Slug, and all of its arcade sequels (including Metal Slug 2 and Metal Slug X) up to Metal Slug 6
. The games are emulated versions, with none of the additional game modes and content introduced in the other home versions of the game.
Metal Slug is also on GameTap
, with a two player online option, and was also released on the Wii's Virtual Console
in 2008. Metal Slug was included as part of SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1
which was released for the Wii, PlayStation 2, and PSP in 2008.
An official version of Metal Slug by SNK playmore is also on PSP and PS3, with Neo Geo emulation.
Neo Geo (console)
The is a cartridge-based arcade and home video game system released on July 1, 1991 by Japanese game company SNK. Being in the Fourth generation of Gaming, it was the first console in the former Neo Geo family, which only lived through the 1990s...
console/arcade platform developed by Nazca Corporation
Nazca Corporation
was a Japanese video game company that developed video games for the Neo Geo. The company was formed in 1994 by a group of employees from Irem who were tired of the company's inactivity...
and published by SNK
SNK Playmore
SNK Playmore Corporation is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. SNK is an acronym of , which was SNK's original name. The company's legal and trading name became SNK in 1986....
. It was originally released in 1996
1996 in video gaming
-Notable releases:*January 29 — Duke Nukem 3D, successor to the simple side-scrolling originals, and a genre-redefining title for first person shooters....
for the MVS arcade platform. The game is widely known for its sense of humor, fluid hand-drawn animation, and fast paced two-player action. It is the first title in the Metal Slug series.
Gameplay
Boss (video games)
A boss is an enemy-based challenge which is found in video games. A fight with a boss character is commonly referred to as a boss battle or boss fight...
who is often considerably larger than regular enemies and takes many shots to defeat. On the way through the level, the player finds weapons upgrades and "Metal Slug" tanks, known as the SV-001 (Super Vehicle), that can be used not only as weapons but also as added defense.
The protagonists can perform melee attacks by using a knife and/or kicking. The player does not die for simply coming into contact with most enemies. Correspondingly, many of the enemy troops have melee attacks. Much of the game's scenery is destructible. Sometimes this reveals extra items or powerups, most of the time it simply results in collateral damage
Collateral damage
Collateral damage is damage to people or property that is unintended or incidental to the intended outcome. The phrase is prevalently used as an euphemism for civilian casualties of a military action.-Etymology:...
.
During the course of a level, the player encounters prisoners of war. If they are freed, the player can receive bonuses in the form of random items or weapons. The player receives a score bonus for freeing POWs at the end of the level; at this point the game shows the name and rank for each of the prisoners freed. If the player dies before the end of the level, the tally of freed POWs is restarted.
There are a total of six levels, with themes ranging from forests, garrisoned cities, snowy mountain valleys, canyons, and military bases.
Enemies
The vast majority of enemies encountered in Metal Slug are enemy soldiers, who are given weaponry that fits their specific role. There also a host of mechanized enemies: tankTank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
s, mobile artillery, aircraft
Fixed-wing aircraft
A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
, armored personnel carriers and technical
Technical (fighting vehicle)
A technical is a type of improvised fighting vehicle, typically a civilian or military non-combat vehicle, modified to provide an offensive capability similar to a military gun truck...
s. Much of the game's humor comes from how the enemies portray themselves. The player encounters them at many times of leisure: sunbathing, roasting food over a fire, or just conversing among themselves. They will also scream loudly if they see the player, while doing these things.
Ports
Originally, Metal Slug was available on Neo-Geo MVS arcade system and AES home entertainment system. Later on, a Neo Geo CDNeo Geo CD
is a game console from SNK that was released in 1994, four years after its cartridge-based equivalent, in an effort to reduce manufacturing costs. It is the second console of the Neo Geo family. The system was originally priced at US$300 new. The unit's 1X CD-ROM drive was slow, making loading...
version of the game was produced, which featured a "Combat School" mode that allows the player to revisit previously-played stages, but with new mission objectives to fulfill.
Sega Saturn
Sega Saturn
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console that was first released by Sega on November 22, 1994 in Japan, May 11, 1995 in North America, and July 8, 1995 in Europe...
and PlayStation versions were also released. The Saturn version was available in two different versions, 1.002 and 1.005, the latter with minor bug fixes, and are no longer in production. The PlayStation version is currently being distributed by SNK Playmore as a re-release version. Both ports feature the Combat School, while the PlayStation version feature a new game mode dubbed "Another Story", which consists of a series of plot-based mini-games.
In 2006, Metal Slug Anthology
Metal Slug Anthology
The Metal Slug Anthology was criticized for its lack of Classic Controller support on the Wii, and sluggish, "laggy" controls on the PAL PlayStation 2 version, which had a noticeable delay when entering button presses.-External links:* * *...
(titled Metal Slug Complete in Japan) was released for the Wii
Wii
The Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo on November 19, 2006. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Nintendo states that its console targets a broader demographic than that of the two others...
, PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
and PSP
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
. This compilation includes the original Metal Slug, and all of its arcade sequels (including Metal Slug 2 and Metal Slug X) up to Metal Slug 6
Metal Slug 6
is a run and gun video game for the Sammy Atomiswave arcade platform in the Metal Slug series. It was released in 2006. There was a PS2 port on September 14, 2006...
. The games are emulated versions, with none of the additional game modes and content introduced in the other home versions of the game.
Metal Slug is also on GameTap
GameTap
GameTap is an American online video game service established by Turner Broadcasting System . Dubbed by TBS as a "first of its kind broadband gaming network", the service provides users with classic arcade video games and game-related video content...
, with a two player online option, and was also released on the Wii's Virtual Console
Virtual console
A virtual console – also known as a virtual terminal – is a conceptual combination of the keyboard and display for a computer user interface. It is a feature of some operating systems such as UnixWare, Linux, and BSD, in which the system console of the computer can be used to switch between...
in 2008. Metal Slug was included as part of SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1
SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1
SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 is a video game compilation created and published by SNK Playmore which includes sixteen Neo Geo games.The compilation was released on the PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and the Wii...
which was released for the Wii, PlayStation 2, and PSP in 2008.
An official version of Metal Slug by SNK playmore is also on PSP and PS3, with Neo Geo emulation.
External links
- Metal Slug - Super Vehicle-001 at Arcade-History.com
- Metal Slug at Neo-Geo.com (reviews) 1 2