(Originally posted on August, 2017)
(1996, Neo Geo)
(The game was played as part of the Metal Slug Anthology on the PSP hardware.)
My most frequented of arcades was once located within the gates of a huge water park, where each spring it would reopen in grand spectacle with the debut of dozens of new games. In the mid-90s, there I discovered Metal Slug glowing from the well-worn but trusty Neo Geo…just about when the N64 was ushering in a new level of excitement and promise to 3D gaming. The bright flashes of grenade explosions and obnoxious enemy death screams confidently maintained that 2D gaming was not only still relevant, but quite capable of bringing out envy from whoever was enjoying their PS1 or N64 during the park’s winter closure. No matter what Mario could now do, or how smoothly Tekken 2 moved, Metal Slug’s painting worthy backdrops, huge bosses showing an unprecedented level of detail, pitiably endearing human enemies and all around chaos commanded as much attention as anything else. Initially overwhelmed and unable to even make it past the rapid waters coursing all throughout the dense jungle of Stage 1, over the years I managed to reach the Stage 4’s tank-filled autumn woods on a single credit…which is right where the action begins to really heat up. Giving up on the loosely entertained goal of 1 Credit Clearing all six acts until after retirement, for now I’ll settle on just how efficient of a soldier I can become with a handful of hours and unlimited continues...
Playing not entirely unlike the hundreds of other run-and-gun action games that briefly saw their day in arcades, it was through an undeniably intense effort of artistic skill and refined design by developer Nazca, that Metal Slug immediately shot head-to-head with the Contra series as the all-time classics among an otherwise easily overlooked genre; demanding total concentration as you dodge all sorts of bullet patterns and mind for unexpected hazards, all while reassessing your positioning with each step across the often unsteady terrain. Even though brutally difficult, damage is dealt in such an indisputably fair manner that any setback feels like it was entirely upon the error of the player…drawing one to come back each day; mistakes fresh on one’s mind in the attempt to make this go at it just a bit better than the last. No matter how many times you pass through the same enemy entrenched town or wilderness, the experience never gets entirely old. The well-earned satisfaction of learning to both barely survive the most dangerous of spots and absolutely dominate entire levels is perhaps even better than the initial thrill of it all.
Taking control of the frequently appearing vehicle the game is titled after, the Metal Slug displays a Yoshi-like cuteness. Cheerfully chugging along, its metal body impossibly (yet so charmingly) animates like some sort of plump kiwi bird when going air born. Even with all its firepower, choosing to simply run over careless foot soldiers is often the most sadistically alluring move. While on foot, blowing up random boxes and freeing P.O.W.s will net you all sorts of bonuses and weapons, of which the sense of missiles accelerating out of the Rocket Launcher is particularly satisfying. Before you can get hooked on the feeling of mastery that comes with adapting to all the chaos Metal Slug readily throws, the almost overly-generous art/animation and light hearted style is certainly what will bring you in. Drawn with an obvious love of the 2D sprite that the Neo Geo spent a decade plus producing so well, there’s amazing subtlety to the visuals, such as how plumes from a flame thrower obtained early in the game light up the inner portion of some plane wreckage you’ll be darting through. Dense forests and rugged towns beg to be further explored, drawn with such detail and thought…it’s as if the developers sneakily wished to take your quarters using the distraction of picturesque beauty over simply adding more enemy fire.
Characteristic of the Neo Geo’s aging, but never failing to surprise hardware, the music is a bit abrasive when not competing against the general loudness of an arcade, but nevertheless wins some points for taking military style horn and drum music completely over the top, in its own unique way. The escalation of stage 3 in particular is so relentlessly daunting that you can’t help but wonder if it’s a self-parody. More low key and groovy than anything else, resting to listen for stage 4’s satisfying drum fills may add yet another death by distraction. Regrettably somewhat hidden within the Player 2 ending, “Final Production 2P” is the best song of them all, cheerfully pulling on your heart strings in much the same manner as the celebrated Mario 64 and Mario Kart 64 endings.
Even with some of the sequels widely considered to be even better, the original Metal Slug is still a must play. The only real letdowns are some slower paced forced scrolling/platforming centric spots during stages 2 and 3, which some might argue serve as necessary breathers during the 40 minute long bullet fest. Don’t let the depressingly increased rarity of a real life, wild Neo Geo cabinet let you pass over the chance to play, as an arcade perfect version of one of the most desirable ‘2D-enthusiast’ games of the 90s is widely available for so much less than the flawed Saturn and PS1 ports many 32-bit gamers were willing to settle for. Starting at 18 credits and working my way down to 12, I could easily keep playing if I wasn’t obligated to move on to the next game. Not just the fondly recalled arcade, but the entire water park where I first saw Metal Slug is long gone. Feet and clothes no longer wet from the water slides, but palms still drenched in sweat, revisiting certain classics never fails to bring back the memories…
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