Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Metal Slug: Anthology nails the classic run-and-gun formula that fans of the series have come to love. From the original Metal Slug through Metal Slug 6, each iteration builds on tight, responsive controls that let you dash, jump, crouch, and unleash a barrage of weapons. Whether you’re storming desert outposts or fending off hordes of tank-riding soldiers, the action never lets up. The anthology preserves the series’ trademark weapon variety—from rapid-fire machine guns to explosive grenades—while introducing each new vehicle, turret, and power-up in turn.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

Cooperative play remains a standout feature. Tag teaming with a friend allows for creative strategies: one player can man a mounted gun while the other rescues POWs or scouts ahead. The pacing of levels balances intense firefights with moments of exploration, rewarding players who take the time to uncover hidden passages and bonus rooms. With the inclusion of bonus missions and unlockable mini-games, there’s a steady stream of fresh challenges that extend the core gameplay beyond the main campaign.

Replay value is exceptionally high. Each title in the anthology offers its own scoring system and hidden objectives, encouraging speed runs and perfect-clear runs to earn high marks. Unlockable weapons, gallery art, and even secret characters give you reason to revisit familiar stages. For newcomers, the learning curve is welcoming yet rewarding—by contrast, veteran players will appreciate the difficulty tweaks in Metal Slug X and the branching paths in Metal Slug 3, which keep familiar scenarios feeling new.

Graphics

The Metal Slug series has always been renowned for its vibrant, hand-drawn sprite work, and this anthology showcases it in full glory. Each character, enemy trooper, and mechanical boss pops against richly detailed backgrounds. You’ll notice subtle enhancements in the ports—cleaner lines, stable frame rates, and faithful color reproduction—that bring these Neo Geo classics up to modern standards without losing their original charm.

Special attention has been paid to parallax scrolling and environmental detail. Whether you’re fighting through jungle ruins, snow-bound fortresses, or volcano-rimmed shores, the multi-layered backgrounds create a sense of depth that few other 2D action games match. Enemy design remains imaginative, from buggy foot soldiers to giant mechs, and the variety of destructible scenery—crumbling walls, exploding barrels, and collapsing bridges—adds to the spectacle.

Beyond the core titles, the anthology’s bonus galleries let you appreciate promotional posters, character sketches, and background art. These high-resolution images reveal the painstaking work that went into each stage and boss design. Paired with unlockable cinematics and concept drawings, the graphics package feels like a time capsule for fans and an art book for newcomers who want to delve deeper into the Metal Slug universe.

Story

Metal Slug’s narrative has always been a lightly sketched backdrop for explosive action, and the anthology stays true to that formula. You assume the roles of the Peregrine Falcon Squad as they battle the insurgent Rebel Army and the sinister General Morden. Each game introduces new set-pieces—jungle ambushes, oil rigs under siege, and even alien invasions—while maintaining the series’ tongue-in-cheek humor.

Though the plot may not break new ground, the anthology’s chronological arrangement allows you to watch the series’ world expand over time. Small touches—like returning villains, callbacks to previous missions, and evolving troop outfits—give a sense of continuity that hardcore fans will appreciate. Occasional cutscenes, rendered in the game’s signature pixel art style, provide humorous interludes and character quips that lighten the relentless action.

For those seeking more lore, the unlockable bonus games and galleries include storyboards and game scripts that shed light on the developers’ creative process. Short animated intros to each title—recreated faithfully here—offer glimpses of the series’ stylistic shifts. While you won’t find a deep, branching narrative, the collection does a fine job of preserving the original lighthearted storyline that has fueled the franchise for over a decade.

Overall Experience

Metal Slug: Anthology is a must-have for retro action aficionados and longtime series fans. By bundling seven core titles—Metal Slug, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug X, Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug 4, Metal Slug 5, and Metal Slug 6—alongside bonus modes and galleries, it delivers tremendous value. The seamless menu system lets you jump between games, compare high scores, and unlock collectibles without ever fumbling through clunky menus.

The anthology strikes an excellent balance between nostalgia and modern convenience. Save states, rewind options, and screen filters make these arcade classics more accessible to a new generation. While purists may miss the original Neo Geo hardware’s tactile feel, the inclusion of local co-op, adjustable difficulty levels, and optional visual enhancements softens the blow and ensures the games remain enjoyable.

All told, Metal Slug: Anthology offers a comprehensive look at one of gaming’s most beloved run-and-gun series. Its robust selection of titles, combined with thoughtful bonus content and faithful emulation, makes this collection a standout purchase. Whether you’re reliving childhood memories or discovering the series for the first time, this anthology will keep you blasting, bombing, and laughing for hours on end.

Retro Replay Score

8/10