Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Metal Slug XX stays true to the series’ fast-paced, run-and-gun roots while introducing a handful of modern tweaks. You’ll dash through seven meticulously designed stages, blasting generic grunts and signature Metal Slug adversaries with your trusty machine gun, grenades, and an arsenal of special weapons. Each level brims with hidden routes, destructible scenery, and surprise vehicle segments that keep the action fresh, whether you’re cruising in a tank, riding a hovercraft or even commandeering a giant mecha slug.

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The revised Combat School mode offers an addictive twist on classic stages by tasking you with secondary objectives—rush the clock, preserve your ammo, or rescue every POW without dying. Completing these challenges not only extends gameplay but also tightens your skills, making you a more efficient sprite-blaster in the main campaign. A comprehensive POW List and single-player Rankings further reward perfectionists who strive to clear every hidden prisoner and top the leaderboards.

Perhaps most welcome is the seamless addition of Ad-Hoc co-op, letting you team up locally with a friend to tackle hordes of enemies together. Whether you’re executing the classic “two-player-one-tank” maneuver or covering each other’s backs during ambushes, the social element injects extra adrenaline into every firefight. The inclusion of DLC content—such as the unlockable character Leona Heidern—adds another layer of variety, letting you experiment with different move sets and special attacks.

Difficulty ramps up naturally as you progress, ensuring that even veteran slugger fans face new challenges. Checkpoints are generally generous, though certain set pieces demand near-perfect timing and pattern memorization. Ultimately, the blend of old-school brutality with new-school features makes the gameplay loop as satisfying today as it was when Metal Slug first debuted.

Graphics

One of Metal Slug XX’s most striking features is its commitment to hand-drawn, frame-by-frame animation. Every foreground sprite and background element pops with vibrant colors and cartoonish flair, preserving the series’ distinctive visual identity. Enemy soldiers scurry in multiple frames of animation, explosions bloom in dazzling hues, and vehicles exude weight and momentum—all rendered crisply on PSP and Vita screens.

The level design showcases a variety of environments—from arid desert plains to fiery volcanic pits—each brimming with parallax scrolling layers that create a genuine sense of depth. Lush mountain vistas give way to shadowy caves, then to mechanical fortresses bristling with turrets and traps. The transitions between these zones feel seamless, often triggered by playful set-pieces like crashing through walls or diving into subterranean caverns.

Lighting effects are surprisingly dynamic for a handheld release. Bright muzzle flashes illuminate nearby enemies, while lingering smoke trails and debris add weight to every explosion. Even minor details—like the flutter of POW banners or the subtle wobble of a vehicle’s treads—underscore the team’s dedication to craftsmanship. Performance remains rock-solid, with virtually no slowdown during the most chaotic onslaughts.

Overall, Metal Slug XX stands as a testament to pixel art’s enduring appeal. While it doesn’t push hardware boundaries with polygon counts, it absolutely nails style and animation quality, ensuring that every firefight feels cinematic in miniature form.

Story

True to Metal Slug tradition, the narrative takes a backseat to the action, delivering just enough context to justify your grenade-tossing spree. You reprise your role as one of the Peregrine Falcons—Marco, Tarma, Eri, Fio, Clark, Ralf, or newly added Leona—on a mission to thwart the nefarious General Morden and his army of rebels, mutants, and aliens. Though the plot rarely deviates from “shoot everything that moves,” it’s woven together with tongue-in-cheek humor and over-the-top set-pieces.

Between stages, brief cutscenes offer comedic respite: soldiers stumble off screen after a tank rolls through, POWs salute you with awkward enthusiasm, and boss fights are heralded by grandiose villain monologues. The inclusion of Leona Heidern adds a fresh angle, complete with her own banter and backstory tied to the Ikari Warriors series. While veterans may find the story lightweight, it perfectly complements the relentless pacing.

Each level’s backdrop helps convey a loose narrative progression—from desert outposts where you disrupt arms deals to molten caverns housing Morden’s final fortress. Environmental storytelling abounds: half-destroyed villages hint at past skirmishes, and hidden labs suggest nefarious experiments. These visual cues, though rarely spelled out in dialogue, enrich the world and reward observant players.

Ultimately, Metal Slug XX’s story is a nostalgic romp rather than a dramatic tour de force. It provides sufficient motivation to keep you trudging forward through enemy lines, while its playful tone ensures you’re never taking things too seriously.

Overall Experience

Metal Slug XX delivers a near-perfect blend of nostalgic charm and modern enhancements. Longtime fans will appreciate the faithful recreation of classic run-and-gun gameplay, while newcomers can dive in via the approachable Combat School challenges and cooperative multiplayer. Each level feels like a lovingly crafted playground of destruction, inviting repeated runs to uncover every secret and achieve higher ranks.

Portability on the PSP and backward compatibility on the Vita make XX an ideal pick-up-and-play title. Sessions can be as brief as a single stage or as extended as you like, especially if you’re chasing the Platinum Trophy or perfecting your Combat School skills. The added DLC and playable character variety extend the game’s lifespan, ensuring you’ll return well after the main campaign is complete.

While the story might not be the game’s strongest asset, the relentless action and vibrant presentation more than compensate. Whether coaxing a friend into local co-op or tackling solo speedruns, you’ll find yourself hooked by the fluid controls and explosive feedback. The game’s challenge curve is well-balanced, offering enough difficulty to satisfy hardened sluggers without alienating casual players.

In sum, Metal Slug XX is a shining example of how to update a beloved franchise without losing its soul. If you crave high-octane side-scrolling shoot ’em ups with heart, humor, and hand-drawn flair, this installment belongs in your portable library.

Retro Replay Score

6.9/10