Not so long ago, I used to visit the arcade inside a rundown bowling alley with my friends and waste dozens of quarters daily playing outdated videogames.  One classic in particular that I lost most of my money to was Metal Slug.  Since then, I have been unable to find a scrolling fighter that could match its “gameplay goodness.”  Well, that was until I came across CT Special Forces for GBA.  Playing it, I took a trip down memory lane and found other new additions I have never seen before.

There isn’t too much to say as far as the story goes, you might as well come up with your own because the title practically gives it away.  You have been selected from among the elite of the Special Intervention Forces to fight the threat of terrorism.  There are three CTs on the team, Stealth Owl (Expert in weaponry), Raptor (The infiltration unit), and Aquila One (The Pilot).  Through the game, you will need to make the most out of all three units if you hope to beat the game.

The gameplay system is pretty easy to learn.  Because of my history with side scrollers, I was able to jump in to the action immediately.  But what will truly stand out for you is the abilities to parachute into hostile surroundings, fly helicopters, and snipe.  Amazingly, even with the Game Boy Advance’s limited capabilities, HIP Games pulls it off beautifully.  The map design is made with obstacles that you must overcome.  You get a small amount of items like grappling irons to help you along your way.  Oh, and you are being hunted by the terrorists as you go.  It's your job, using the weapons given to you to take your enemies down.  You are also given handcuffs for enemies you want to capture (I found more satisfaction dealing with terrorists the ol’ fashioned way).  The control scheme is pretty solid, though there is a bit of a changeup when sniping.  Sniping isn’t hard to learn, but it may throw you off when you first start using it.  Your basic objective is to get the terrorists and the flag to end the mission.  However, you may be required to complete a secondary objective such as rescuing hostages.  The game only offers 4 levels with 3 stages and although each ranges in difficulty, most gamers will be able to beat this title in a few hours.  The developers compensated for this by throwing in a challenge mode that allows you to link up with a friend and play together.

CT will please your LCD screen graphically, offering crisp graphics and Metal Slug-ish sprite animation.  The maps and backgrounds add to the experience nicely.  The sound is remarkable, from sounds of explosions and gun fire to the wail of shot enemies.  The music can get a bit annoying hearing it over and over and over again, but I was impressed with the sound overall.

I almost didn’t choose to play this game.  With practically no marketing to make it stand out, a special forces game on the GBA sounded like a guaranteed flop.  But thankfully, I was wrong.  For those of you who enjoyed MS, this game is a must have.  To casual gamers looking for a fun gameplay experience, you’ll find it here.  You’ve got a hit on your hands HIP, make the most of it! 

Gameplay: 9
The side scrolling title you've been waiting for.  If you enjoyed Metal Slug, this game is for you!

Graphics: 9
Crisp graphics and sprite animation that will take you back to the days of the the arcade hit.

Sound: 9.1
A remarkable experience for your ears.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard
Because it is a tad short, the difficulty can get pretty hard.

Concept: 9
A beautiful attempt to bring a counter terrorist game on the GBA.

Multiplayer: 8.7
If you have a friend, playing this game together can be quite fun.

Overall: 9
I expected this game to be another "ho-hum" title.  CT Special Forces is exciting and addictive to finish!