SNK
has delivered a launch gift to Wii owners with Metal Slug Anthology, a
complete collection of the legendary Neo Geo series. The compilation
includes all seven commercially released arcade games in perfect emulated
form along with extra features and art galleries. The games play exactly
as you'd expect them to, though the Wii controllers make an interesting
twist on the formula. It takes some getting used to these changes, but
options like using a Gamecube controller, means classic gamers won't be
left out. These gimmicks aside, the Metal Slug titles remain as addictive
and enjoyable as ever, with flawless translations and brilliant play.
After more than a decade thrilling the
hard-core Neo-Geo crowd, Metal Slug has finally arrived in style for the
mass market. One of the most legendary side-scrolling series has finally
offered the collection it deserves with the release of Metal Slug
Anthology for the Nintendo Wii. Containing all seven arcade titles, (Metal
Slug 1-7 plus Metal Slug X) this release includes every single Metal Slug
title reproduced perfectly thanks to the wonders of arcade emulation. The
gameplay doesn't need much explanation; you run and shoot at enemies,
collect power-ups, face off against massive bosses and rescue any hostages
you encounter along the way. In addition, each game includes a number of
Slugs, or vehicles which you can jump into to increase your firepower.
These Metal Slugs take different forms including tanks, camels, jet packs,
helicopters and other clever inventions. Each of these has a different
feel to it and gives you an additional set of weapons to use. In addition
to your standard shots, you have bombs or grenades that you can fling at
enemies and boss characters. These can also be used to break through walls
or massive objects, so you need to save them. Before you begin each game,
you select which of the characters you want to use, some of them run
faster, while others seem to have more accurate aim. The number of
characters available varies from game to game, and range from four in the
first title to seven or eight in the latest release.
From
a gameplay standpoint, all the Metal Slug titles are quite enjoyable with
the earlier games offering simpler structures and more straightforward
layouts. The latter games offer more complicated level designs with
multiple paths and more power-ups. Some of these stages contain enemies
that will fire shots at you, causing your character to be transformed into
a usually slower and less powerful character. These are funny at first,
but can become frustrating later on as they can impede your progress.
Metal Slug seems to have developed a winning formula over the years, and
most of the games in the Anthology don't diverge too far from established
norms, mostly tweaking and refining the basic elements of previous games.
There are some surprises along the way, with off balance humor and
strangely perverse level designs, but the basic rhythm and flow
established in the first game remains intact. This remarkable level of
consistency between the games makes this an even more enjoyable package
for fans of the arcade titles. The intuitive controls and straightforward
interface of these classic games means players can spend hours between
each title, mastering the intricacies and nuances of the games without
having to commit to long play sessions.
The game's pick up and play mechanics
makes Metal Slug Anthology instantly accessible, but the level of
difficulty becomes more apparent as you delve deeper into the games and
their later levels. This is a classic approach to gaming that fits in well
with the Wii's philosophy, and makes the game feel right at home on the
console. From a visual standpoint, the games look almost exactly the same
as their arcade counterparts, with all the smooth animation, brilliant
sprite, sense of humor and lush backgrounds that the series has become
famous for. While the basic look doesn't change from game to game, players
will notice a few evolutions such as semi-3D effects here and there, but
the basics don't change much. The games' sound is fairly consistent as
well and players looking for elaborate cut-scenes won't find them here.
From a technical standpoint, the games' emulation is nearly flawless with
the biggest difference loading screens that interrupt but don't change the
feel of the action substantially. Metal Slug Anthology takes advantage of
the Wii's unique controller by offering several configurations, most of
which have you controlling movement and basic firing with the standard
controller and using the nun-chuck attachment to throw grenades. A simpler
approach using just the main Wii remote is also available, which works
surprisingly well. Players who want a more traditional gaming experience
can also plug in an old Gamecube controller and play the game using the
standard face buttons exclusively with no shaking. We found this the best
approach when you really want to play the game, since the process of
shaking the controller to throw grenades quickly wears out its welcome,
becoming more nuisance than novelty in a hurry. Disappointingly, the Wii's
Classic Controller attachment isn't supported in this game, which is a
real shame since it would have worked nicely with Anthology.
It's
definitely a mixed bag with the somewhat disappointing controls, but the
sheer number of titles available and the high quality presentation,
complete with extra artwork and music, more than makes up for it. While
previous commercial Metal Slug compilations have included only one or two
games at a time, this one offers a complete set of the games in flawless
emulated form with little compromise as to gameplay quality or
completeness. In the end, what matters most is the fact that Metal Slug
Anthology delivers seven super arcade games in one convenient package with
the addictive play mechanics, smooth animation and challenging boss
battles the series has become known for. While there are some minor
control issues, these problems are minor when compared to how much
entertainment value is contained within. Metal Slug Anthology is a superb
package containing a complete set of classic games and is highly
recommended to arcade fans.
Grade: B
