Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Metal Slug 7 stays true to the run-and-gun roots that have defined the series for years, delivering fast-paced action across its seven main stages. Players choose from six iconic heroes—Marco, Eri, Tarma, Fio, Ralf, and Clark—and blast their way through waves of soldiers, tanks, and mechanical monstrosities in an effort to stop General Morden’s latest scheme. The responsive D-pad controls your movement with precision, while the “Y” button handles the rapid-fire primary weapon. Grenades and melee attacks are bound to the “A” button, with context-sensitive strikes allowing you to pull off new combos based on direction and character.

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Weapon variety is a highlight, with power-ups like the heavy machine gun, rocket launcher, and laser cannon littered throughout each stage. Swapping between these weapons is seamless thanks to the “R” button, enabling you to adapt to enemy patterns on the fly. In addition to the familiar armament, the series’ infamous Metal Slug vehicles are back in full force—from standard tanks to bi-pedal walkers and jet fighters—providing a much-needed boost in firepower when you’re overrun.

Metal Slug 7 also makes excellent use of the Nintendo DS’s dual screens. The top display shows the main action in crisp detail, while the bottom screen offers a scrollable map that tracks freed POWs, item pickups, and critical objectives. This second screen keeps you informed of your progress without pausing the mayhem above, making it easier to plan your next move or locate hidden caches.

For players seeking a challenge, there are three difficulty levels—Beginner, Normal, and Hard—each of which modifies enemy placement, ammunition drops, and vehicle spawns. Beyond the core stages lies the robust Combat School mode, featuring 80 missions that test everything from kill counts to rescue quotas. Earning high medals in these micro-challenges boosts your rank from “Recruit” all the way to “General of the Army,” adding significant replay value for completionists.

Graphics

Despite the DS’s modest hardware, Metal Slug 7 delivers vibrant, hand-drawn sprites that capture the series’ signature charm. Characters move fluidly, explosions bloom with colorful gibs, and each level brims with animated details—from burning wreckage to marching foot soldiers. The art direction maintains the cartoon-ish aesthetic that fans expect, ensuring each fire-fight is both readable and visually appealing.

Backgrounds are layered to give depth to the battlefield: crumbling villages, dense jungles, and mechanized fortresses stretch across the horizon with parallax scrolling that reinforces the sense of scale. Enemy machines and boss encounters are especially well-designed, showcasing complex animations that feel weighty and reactive as they wobble under your onslaught of bullets and rockets.

The DS’s dual screens also enhance visual clarity. While the top screen focuses on action, the bottom screen’s map and HUD employ simple icons and text that never obstruct gameplay. Transitions between screens are clean, and loading is virtually undetectable, keeping you immersed in the continuous barrage without frustrating breaks.

Audio complements the visuals with punchy sound effects—gunfire crackles, grenades detonate with satisfying boom, and the unmistakable roar of a Metal Slug tank reverberates through your speakers. The soundtrack’s upbeat, military-style tunes drive the adrenaline, reinforcing the arcade-style pace that makes Metal Slug 7 so addictive.

Story

Metal Slug 7’s narrative is simple but effective: General Morden has returned with a new legion of armored foes and mysterious allies, and it’s up to the Peregrine Falcons (and SPARROWS) to put an end to his rampage. While the plot never veers into deep territory, it provides just enough context to justify the globe-trotting set pieces and boss battles encountered across seven stages.

The choice of six playable characters adds subtle narrative variation, as each hero brings their own personality and signature melee attack to the fight. While the core objectives remain the same—blast through enemy lines, rescue POWs, and commandeer vehicles—small cutscenes and character animations give each run a slightly different flavor depending on your selection.

Combat School mode expands the story through its little scenarios, framing each mission around rescue operations, timed demolitions, or high-score challenges. These bite-sized stories are more mechanical than narrative, but they reinforce the sense that you’re a special forces unit tackling a variety of global threats. The straightforward tale keeps you focused on the action, and the occasional radio chatter and victory celebrations give the game a lighthearted tone.

Overall Experience

Metal Slug 7 stands out as one of the best portable entries in the franchise. The core run-and-gun gameplay is as tight and rewarding as ever, and the addition of new melee moves and special attacks injects fresh depth into each encounter. Casual players will gravitate toward the accessible Beginner setting, while veterans can test their mettle on Hard or in the demanding Combat School challenges.

The game’s presentation is top-notch for a DS title, with hand-drawn sprites, dynamic backgrounds, and clear dual-screen integration. Sound effects punch through the tiny speakers, and the soundtrack’s high-energy tracks perfectly match the non-stop action. The map display on the lower screen is particularly useful, allowing you to keep track of objectives without fumbling menus or interrupting the flow.

While the story is not the main draw, it provides a solid structure for the frantic gameplay and adds just enough charm to keep you invested in each mission. The varied roster of characters and vehicles encourages multiple playthroughs, and the unlockable Combat School ranks spur you to refine your skills and hunt for high scores.

Ultimately, Metal Slug 7 delivers the series’ signature blend of frantic shooting, over-the-top explosions, and tongue-in-cheek humor in a portable package. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer eager for some classic run-and-gun action, this DS exclusive offers hours of explosive fun on the go.

Retro Replay Score

7.2/10