Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Metal Slug: Collector’s Edition delivers the classic run-and-gun action that fans of the series have come to love. Each installment—Metal Slug: Super Vehicle-001, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug X, and Metal Slug 3—places you in the boots of the legendary Peregrine Falcons on missions spanning jungles, deserts, and secret bases. The responsive controls and tight hit detection make strafing, shooting and jumping through hordes of enemy soldiers and tanks feel effortlessly smooth, even on a modern Windows XP setup.

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The compilation’s greatest strength lies in its variety of weaponry and vehicles. From the iconic SV-001 tank (“Metal Slug”) to the alterable submarines and planes in Metal Slug 3, each machine has its own handling characteristics and firepower. Experimenting with grenades, flamethrowers, heavy machine guns, and the game’s signature super weapons keeps the combat fresh, with risk-reward mechanics—such as grenade stock management—adding an undercurrent of strategy.

Cooperative play remains a highlight of the series. The split-second coordination required when two players pile into the same tank or cover each other during boss encounters amplifies the excitement. With four full games on a single disc, there’s hours of replay value. Hidden branching paths and bonus missions in Metal Slug 3 encourage multiple playthroughs, while the enduring challenge of clearing levels without losing lives will satisfy both newcomers and veteran “sluggers.”

Graphics

The original Metal Slug games are renowned for their exquisite hand-drawn sprites and fluid animations, and this Collector’s Edition maintains that visual charm on its Windows XP compatibility layer. Characters, enemies, and bosses move with a level of polish rarely seen in arcade ports. The artists’ attention to detail is evident in the expressive enemy reactions, the shattering debris from destroyed vehicles, and the comical death animations that add levity to the carnage.

Backgrounds in each title are rich and varied: dense foliage sways in the breeze in jungle stages, crumbling ruins loom in moonlit deserts, and high-tech labs pulse with neon lights. The layering of foreground and background elements gives a tangible sense of depth, a testament to SNK’s mastery of 2D environments. Even on modern monitors, slight scanline filters or shader effects can restore that authentic arcade feel if you choose to emulate the original display.

While the compilation doesn’t include widescreen support or upscaled assets, it compensates by preserving pixel-perfect fidelity. Colors remain vibrant and pop against the often bleak battlefields, and the frame rate never skips a beat during large-scale skirmishes. For purists, this faithful reproduction ensures that you’re experiencing Metal Slug exactly how it was meant to be played.

Story

The overarching narrative in Metal Slug is simple but effective: thwart General Morden’s rebel army and save the hostages. Each episode builds on this premise, introducing new locales, enemy types, and occasional plot twists. Metal Slug 2 expands the conflict with bio-engineered mutants, while Metal Slug X tweaks mission layouts and injects extra humor through quirky boss designs and unexpected enemy appearances.

Characterization is intentionally minimal, letting the action speak for itself. Players embody familiar heroes like Marco, Tarma, Eri, and Fio, though story sequences are limited to brief cut-ins and opening/closing animations. This streamlined approach ensures minimal downtime between the game’s rapid-fire stages, reflecting the arcade heritage of prioritizing gameplay over elaborate storytelling.

Despite the lean narrative, the series’ tongue-in-cheek tone shines through. Slapstick moments—such as enemies getting flattened by rolling boulders or pilots ejecting from doomed airplanes—break the tension without undermining the stakes. The episodic progression gives each installment its own flavor, culminating in the ambitious, multi-branched finale of Metal Slug 3, which hints at deeper conspiracies behind Morden’s rebellion.

Overall Experience

Metal Slug: Collector’s Edition is a nostalgic trip through some of the finest 2D shooters ever made. Bundling four titles on one disc for Windows XP compatibility is a boon for retro enthusiasts, offering plug-and-play access without the headaches of sourcing old Neo Geo hardware. The installation is straightforward, and load times are minimal—key for preserving the series’ signature arcade pacing.

The compilation’s audio faithfully reproduces the bombastic soundtrack and explosive sound effects that define the Metal Slug identity. From the driving percussion of battlefield themes to the satisfying roar of tank cannons, the sensory package is as invigorating today as it was in the ’90s. Volume mixing between music, dialogue snippets, and weapon sounds remains balanced, ensuring you never miss a key audio cue during intense firefights.

For potential buyers, this Collector’s Edition represents both value and quality. Whether you’re a longtime fan longing to revisit your favorite missions or a newcomer curious about the roots of run-and-gun excellence, the disc offers a comprehensive experience. Its blend of frantic gameplay, stellar pixel art, and lighthearted storytelling makes Metal Slug: Collector’s Edition a must-have for anyone seeking hands-down some of the best side-scrolling action ever created.

Retro Replay Score

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