Metal Slug Advance

Metal Slug has been around for quite some time as most gamers’ SNK alternative to Contra. The game features side-scrolling 2D shooting action, a pinch of humor, and loads of comic-style artistic flare. This Game Boy Advance edition drops some of Metal Slugs usual elements but holds on to what makes it “Metal Slug.”

In this Metal Slug you have the choice of a male or female role; Walter or Tyra. Each character plays the same as the other - it’s really just deciding what you want your player to look like.

Once a new game is started a save file is created. This file keeps track of your entire campaign and players can save whenever they are in their Base Camp. If you aren’t currently on a mission then this is where you are. From Base Camp you can move on to the next mission, replay a previous mission, check your card or prisoner collection, save, or quit to the main menu.

The first difference Metal Slug fans will notice is that you now have a health bar. In previous Metal Slugs players died if they were hit at all, but were given multiple chances to get through the level. In Metal Slug Advance you are given one chance to pass the level but can sustain multiple hits. The blood is also removed from this translation to Game Boy. It doesn’t take away from the gameplay, but it sort of added to the artistic style and there should have been an option to turn it on.

The difficulty seemed toned down at first, since Metal Slugs are notoriously hard games, but it soon picks up and the last few levels prove to be a challenge. For gamers that just want to get through the game, you are now allowed to continue from the last checkpoint (which takes place when the scene changes). If you have to continue at any point during the mission all your collected items and prisoners are lost. There are only five missions total, but even just getting through them may take awhile if you’re not a Metal Slug pro; just getting to the next checkpoint on the last level is pretty hard.

A major addition to Metal Slug Advance is the card and prisoner collecting “side quest” of sorts. Throughout each mission you will find cards, either in crates, as gifts from prisoners, or just lying around in hidden areas. If you can then survive the rest of the mission without continuing that card and all saved prisoners are added to your collections that can be viewed at Base Camp. A lot of cards are just for looks, but some will actually grant you abilities and/or upgraded weapons if equipped. This adds a lot of replay, since to collect all the cards and prisoners you will have to beat the levels without dying. After each mission you can save and your collections are recorded and won’t be lost.

Metal Slug Advance is an excellent game to have in your collection. It’s the perfect game for waiting in line or during commercials in the movie theater because of its pick-up and go gameplay, but it’s also good for road trips or flights because of the amount of collectibles and replay. Either way you can’t really go wrong, unless you’re not a fan of the genre. If this is the case, Metal Slug Advance doesn’t offer anything new and you probably won’t like it.

Gameplay: 8.0
For some this type of game is getting stale and for others it never gets old, but you can’t deny that it’s easy to pick up, making it a great handheld game. Metal Slug has always been a great 2D side-scroller, and while taking a few small losses in its Game Boy form it still holds on to what’s important.    

Graphics: 9.4 
This is an excellent looking game. Character detail, animations, and the environments all look better than most Game Boy Advance games out there.

Sound: 7.6
The sound effects are great and sound pretty close to their arcade counter-parts. The soundtrack is just made up of short loops that aren’t worth stopping to listen to. While you’re playing the music is barely noticeable.  

Difficulty: Hard
The game starts innocent enough with the first couple missions being very easy, especially if you use continues. It quickly picks up after the third mission, and shortly after it becomes difficult even with continues.

Concept: 9.0 
There need to be more games like this on the Game Boy Advance. Quality shooters that are as easy to pick up as put down. While handheld RPG’s are great, there also needs to be titles that gamers don’t get so attached to and are able to play in situations that may require you to cut your gaming short.

Overall: 8.2
While Metal Slug Advance is fairly short, clocking in at only five missions, there are extra dungeon levels as well as 100 cards to find and collect to add replay. Plus it’s just fun, and with virtually no learning curve it can be picked up at any time for a quick shooter fix. Some gamers may find it too short or frustrating, but it’s a must-have for shooter fans.