The Neo-Geo was one of the best consoles for arcade action and perhaps the most expensive for games. The original machines were great and gave arcade gamers a chance to play their favorite SNK titles at home. The only problem was the expense. Having a Neo-Geo machine myself, I like to revisit the old characters and games. One of the most popular shooters was the Metal Slug series which spawned several sequels; all of which featured a rag-tagged team that had to defeat evil villains, free prisoners and face monsters.

While the graphics were not the most impressive, the games offered plenty of humor and standard gags that long times fans grew to expect. Based on a Japanese series, some of the site gags and one liners lose a little when translated over to the English language but the non-stop action made up for it. Now with the release of Metal Slug 4 & 5 to the Xbox, is this just a trip down memory lane or is the game worth playing? Read the full review of Metal Slug 4 & 5 to find out.

Gameplay

As the name suggests, you get two game discs, and two completely different games. Metal Slug 4 is the shorter of the two but still fun to play featuring some great slugs to control, a barrage of weapons and strange creations to destroy. The game is fun but the fact that you have unlimited continues may ruin the game for some. Of course paying 39.99 and getting two Neo-Geo games is a bargain and even though the bundle was released already on the PS2, the package offers some intense 2-D side scrolling action.

Being able to play with a friend adds to the fun factor of the games and there is plenty to destroy, explore and shoot at. The problem is a few of the levels seem a little too much alike, however, both discs stay true to the series and offer plenty of action. When you’re not blowing up villains and wild creations or Nazi’s, you can operate several slugs which are quite creative. In case you’re not a fan or have not visited an arcade, a slug is a specially designed machine or mech-like unit. Gamers are protected more when controlling any slug, but there is still skill in learning how to pull off the moves and special abilities of each one. Metal Slug 4 will take about 40-50 minutes to get through and that on a single-player mode. Two-players who are good at shooters will beat it within 30 minutes or less.

Metal Slug 5 offers a few more slugs, a new attack option, and some new levels. The bosses are much more original than in Metal Slug 4. While both games are a shooter’s dream, the second game just seems better overall. Granted, the game is newer and has a few years over the last one. You will still have the array of rocket launchers, dual machine guns and insane characters to destroy. Both Metal Slug games rely on some of the gags that include having another member of the team lowering you on a rope while you try and destroy all the mini-bosses, rescuing prisoners and earning power ups. The main emphasis is on blowing crap up and both games offer plenty to destroy. The final boss stage in Metal Slug 5 is great and offers players a real challenge even if you do have unlimited continues.

Its old school gaming and well-packaged. Even though there are times when the two games begin to show their age, it’s a decent bundle for fans of shooters. Fans of the series will appreciate that most of the arcade features, gags and animations were brought in to these versions as well. Some gamers may find the old style of graphics old looking but to me that was part of the charm.

Control / Playability

Taking a game that uses an arcade 6 button control scheme and making it fit the Xbox 4 button lay out is not easy. They did a good job and even allow you to adjust each action button or change the whole layout to fit your own tastes. Learning the basic controls will take about 15-20 minutes tops even for those new to the series. Each button responds perfectly and there is no delay at all. The hardest part of the controls is getting used to having to tap the weapon buttons in order to use them.

You won’t find the controls set to just hold down the buttons and have them auto fire. The old style is not hard to get used to and in some ways brings back the old style action. Players now are used to having things a bit easier in the way of controls. It’s not that Metal Slug 4 & 5 is a button masher; it was made to have to tap the firing buttons. Overall, the controls are pretty easy but learning you need to use the analog stick to control the direction of attack may take a little time to adjust to.

Xbox Live

Now the box says Xbox Live on it, but the only thing about live is the fact the game has the live aware feature. In case you are new to Xbox and Xbox Live, Live Aware allows you to see your friends list and invites and (in these games) you can upload your highest score on the leader board.

Graphics / Presentation

Both games are made in the old style 2-D graphics and look pretty good. The main focus of the game is the action and not terrific graphics. The animations and mini-cut scenes are well done. Other times you will notice that the action looks a bit pixilated and a little grainy, but overall it captures the look it was meant to. There is a lot of action happening in the background and this adds to the action and look of the game.

Metal Slug 5 looks better overall; again it’s a newer game and shows a little improvement over the first disc. It’s true neither game will push or challenge the Xbox power graphically and it was not made to impress you. It simply captures the look of the arcade version. When there are a ton of enemies on the screen and bullets flying, the games really do not suffer any slowdown. The games run smooth for the most part but will show their age, which adds a certain charm to the games while staying true to the series.

Audio

You will hear the occasional sound bites some in English and some in Japanese which is a staple for any SNK game. No fancy long voice-over work, just the one liner or grunt here and there. The sound effects fit each title and they sound exactly like the arcade versions.

Replay Value

You get two games of non-stop intense shooting for less that 40.00 and that’s not bad. The 2 games can be beat in less then 90 minutes once you get the hang of the games. It is one of those titles that you can pop in and play alone or with a friend and have fun blasting the bad guys. The Co-Op mode will probably be the preferred way to play and even alone the games are fun. It’s perfect for when you need to release some frustrations and relive when games where simpler and perhaps made just for fun. The replay value really depends on if you’re into the old style arcade games.

Overall Score

Overall Score: 7.8/10 [not an average]

Additional Comments

SNK has been bringing some of the better Neo-Geo games to the Xbox and for many gamers this is the first time they will get the chance to experience what some of the older gamers have already had a chance to. They managed to make it look and play like the arcade versions and it’s a fun one to play, although a bit short they are intense and show some pretty cool animations and level designs. Metal Slug 4 & 5 is great for fans who want to collect the better older games and be able to play them whenever they want without hooking up a Neo-Geo or finding an arcade that has this one in it.

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