Metal Slug 2

Release Date - February 23, 1998 (JP)
Developer - SNK
Publisher - SNK
Platform - Arcade (Neo-Geo MVS)

Metal Slug is a series almost as synonymous with SNK as their stellar fighting game franchises. It’s definitely a game that’s at the forefront of everyone’s mind when they think of arcade run n’ gun shooters. The sequel to such a legendary game would have to be awesome, and thankfully, Metal Slug 2 will blow you away.

If you’re not familiar with Metal Slug I’d be genuinely surprised, but nevertheless, here’s a quick rundown; Released in 1996, the original Metal Slug is a scrolling shooter where you burn through a small country’s worth of military ordinance blowing away enemy soldiers and vehicles. Known for relentless action, chunky and satisfying weaponry (including the titular Metal Slug experimental tank) and absolutely, positively gorgeous 2D sprite graphics.

*As good as this screen looks, it’s even better in motion…*

Being a massive success for SNK as part of their Neo-Geo MVS range (an arcade cabinet that was designed to house multiple games in one), Metal Slug 2 would release two years later to an eager audience. SNK were wise to not mess with the formula that made the original such a hit, but the combination of all new locations, weapons and enemies make for a fantastic follow up.

Just like the original game, Metal Slug 2 is controlled with 3 buttons; shoot, jump and a button to throw powerful but limited grenades. The controls are thankfully simple, because mastering the game is anything but. Players can shoot in 5 directions (8 directions while jumping) to hit enemies all around them. This is absolutely vital, because Metal Slug games have a tendency to load the screen up with foes to dispatch of. Careful placement and aim is key to winning. Levels are linear, but can get quite vertical to break up the left-to-right action, and some tricky platforming is sometimes required. Get to the end of a level and you’ll be rewarded with a truly massive boss to fight. Just seeing these things in action is a reward in itself, and you’ll never get tired of getting to the end of a level and seeing what monstrosity you have to battle.

*Fearsome yet stunning, the bosses are awesome in the literal sense of the word! Now, gun them down!*

As you travel through the levels, you’ll come across prisoners of war that you can free from their binds (by deftly shooting the ropes, or cutting them loose). They’ll reward you with some weapons that are far more powerful than your starting pistol. Machine guns, rocket launchers, shotguns and flame throwers return from the first game, but Metal Slug 2 adds in new weapons like the laser rifle to further enhance your arsenal.

In a new addition from the prior game, players can now choose from one of four characters when beginning a game (or when continuing with a new credit!). Marco and Tarma return from the first game, and are joined by Eri and Fio. While all characters play identically, it’s nice to be able to choose someone different to play the game with, and each have their own signature look. Beyond new characters are also some new vehicles, too; jump inside a tank, plane or even on top of a camel and fight your way through enemies. Vehicles are powerful and can usually take a few hits, but be careful, because they aren’t invincible!

*Every level has a distinct look and features some nice set-pieces, like this dangerously unstable rope bridge twisting in the wind!*

The game is easy to pick up and play, but fiendishly difficult to master. If you’re not the best at the game (like myself), you can credit feed to see the ending, but this would get very expensive in the later levels if you were playing in an arcade in 1998. Early on it’s easy enough to avoid bullets and baddies, but by the end it’ll be a herculean feat to get through stages without losing a credit. For high score chasers, the saving of POWs becomes even more important. In addition to dropping weapons, score multipliers apply for the more POWs you can save. The catch is that you lose the bonus from any POWs saved when you lose a credit! Not dying during a level becomes very important if you want to bank all that built up bonus score. As a little bonus, a certain POW saved in the first level will even fight alongside you, throwing fireballs with his bare hands (much like a fighting game character) to help you battle enemies! Little touches like this litter the game from beginning to end.

*Take too long and the POWs will start to get impatient and call you over! Also, check out the gorgeous backdrop of Egypt at dusk!*

On the topic of visual easter eggs, Metal Slug 2 has a huge amount. Selecting screenshots for this game became a real challenge; every frame felt important! Whether it was highlighting the action and incredible animations, or capturing a funny moment in the background like enemy soldiers roasting marshmallows on a campfire, there was always something to see. When losing a life, enemy soldiers will even celebrate their victory (and recoil in horror if you insert another coin and come back with more lives!).

In fact, one of the complaints you can raise against this game (and one that it’s rather infamous for) is that SNK might have tried to push the hardware just a bit too far, as slowdown is quite common unfortunately.

*Eat too much food and your character will get fat. There’s more to it than just visuals though…*

Regardless of the performance issues, the stunning environments will draw in players. Varied locations await, from the Middle-east and Egyptian tombs to China and Eastern Europe. Each stage has its own personality and even often has unique or new enemies to fight. Look out for supernatural creatures this time around too, like mummies in Egypt! Not only are there new enemies, but players can be transformed into a mummy themself, which changes how you control and move. Likewise, pick up too many food items and your character becomes incredibly fat. Beyond being a simple visual gag, they actually get quite powerful in this transformation, so don’t forget to pick up any stray food you see!

Each location has its own great theme music too, at once evoking the style of the location and having a jazzy, upbeat feeling. It’s a joy to listen to and compliments the ridiculous action and cartoony style perfectly. Coupled with the signature sound effects (the announcer yelling ‘Heavy Machine Gun’ has become so iconic and instantly recognisable, as is the ‘Rocket Lawn-Chair’ line), the game is an audio treat, and gives the amazing hand-drawn graphics a great audio equivalent.

Getting to the end of a level will see you battling the afore-mentioned bosses; these are truly impressive examples of some of the finest sprite-art of the era and really deserve to be called out. Huge mechanical enemies that fill the screen and require some deft footwork to avoid their hail of gunfire, they are memorable and challenging to defeat. The detail that the artists have put into these is stunning, even so far as seeing the shell-casings get ejected after a cannon is fired.

*The player is killed by the onslaught of enemies. Get prepared to see this scene happen a lot…*

Metal Slug 2 found critical and commercial success on release, establishing the series as a pillar of SNK. The game would be ported to SNK’s home consoles the AES and Neo-Geo CD. In 1999, the game would be remixed as Metal Slug X, where among other additions, the slowdown was largely fixed. Both Metal Slug 2 and Metal Slug X have been released on multiple consoles and PC in the years that followed, and many more sequels have spawned with Metal Slug 7 being the latest numbered game at time of writing.

If you haven’t already treated yourself to the delights of this franchise, please do yourself a favour and check it out. Metal Slug 2 will stand up to just about any game made by man or beast for the challenge, excitement and fun it can offer, even a quarter century after release!

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