Download: Episode 4: Metal Slug
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Metal Slug Notes
Introduction: Irem Corporation
Irem was a video-games company founded in 1974 under the name IPM. They specialised in manufacturing arcade cabinets, changing their name to Irem Corporation, Irem standing for International Rental Electronics Machines. Later in the mid 80’s, they changed the abbreviation to Innovations in Recreational Electronic Media. During this time, they became well known for their R-Type series. (Metal Slug Wikia)
GunForce: Battle Fire Engulfed Terror Island or simply titled as GunForce – 1991, Arcade
Genre: Run & Gun
Publisher: Irem
Ports: SNES
Is a side-scrolling action shooting game produced by Irem for the arcades in 1991. The game was later ported by Bits Studios and published by Irem to the Super Famicom exclusively in Japan in 1992.
Story: Parachuted out of a bomber, the player has landed into hostile territory to defeat the enemy who is threatening Mother Earth.
Notable Releases in 1992:
- Mega Man 4 is released in the US.
- Ultima VII: The Black Gate
- Kirby’s Dream Land
- Wolfenstein 3D
- Ecco the Dolphin
- Super Mario Kart
- Art of Fighting
- Virtua Racing by Yu Suzuki
- Mortal Kombat
- Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- Mega Man 5
Notes:
Gunforce 2 had many elements which were carried over to Metal Slug. You had a variety of weapons to pick, you could ride a good amount of vehicles such as tanks, jeeps, walker robots and a hovercraft. Your mission was to rescue prisoners, although here they are women instead of bearded, starving POW’s. Both games use the same graphic designs, even with similar explosion effects. Some of the sound effects are the same as Metal Slug, such as the enemies grunts, which are the same grunts used by the Rebels.
From Irem to Nazca
During the 1990’s, a group of programmers from Irem started creating various arcade games who all shared the same graphics style and design. This group, formed by Akio, Susumu, Tomohiro and Kozo amongst others, created games such as Cosmic Cop (Armed Police Unit Gallop in Japan), Undercover Cops, In The Hunt (whose Playstation conversion was, ironically, pirated and sold under the title Metal Slug Submarine) and especially Gunforce 2. During this time, Irem was facing financial problems, which ended with Irem Corporation closing forever in 1994 (Irem would come back in 1996 as Irem Software Engineering Inc, now making only home console games). The aforementioned group of programmers, frustrated with Irem’s inactivity at the time of crisis, left Irem and created their own company named Nazca. They decided to create games for the Neo-Geo MVS arcade system, starting with the golf game Top Players Golf. (Metal Slug Wikia)
Nine of the original Nazca staff (including Meeher, Akio, Susumu and development manager Kawai) answered questions from an undated text interview that was translated and included in Metal Slug Anthology.
Because the common use of pseudonyms in arcade titles to avoid rivalry between corporations, details of its staff remains scarce. They are was considered part of SNK’s in-house band, the “Shinsekai Gakkyoku Zatsugidan“. (SNK.wikia.com)
Key (Founding) Members: info from SNK.wikia.com
Listed in Random Order (not a complete list of works!):
- Takushi Hiyamuta (credited with names such as “HIYA!” and “HIYA-UNIT”) – Composer up to Metal Slug 3
- Meeher
- Akio: Graphic Artist
- Susumu: Graphic Artist
- Kawai
- Kazuma Kujo, credited as KOZO
List of Metal Slug Games (Wiki)
| Title | Details |
| Metal Slug
Original release date(s):
|
Release years by system:
1996 – Neo Geo 1996 – Neo Geo CD 1997 – Sega Saturn 1997 – PlayStation 2008 – Virtual Console 2010 – PlayStation Network 2012 – iOS/Android 2015 – Steam |
| Metal Slug 2
Original release date(s):
|
Release years by system:
1998 – Neo Geo 1998 – Neo Geo CD 2008 – Virtual Console 2011 – PlayStation Network 2013 – iOS/Android 2016 – Steam |
| Metal Slug 3
Original release date(s):
|
Release years by system:
2000 – Neo Geo 2003 – PlayStation 2 2004 – Xbox 2008 – Xbox Live Arcade 2012 – Virtual Console 2012 – iOS/Android 2014 – Steam 2015 – PlayStation Network |
| Metal Slug 4
Original release date(s):
|
Release years by system:
2002 – Neo Geo 2004 – PlayStation 2 2005 – Xbox 2012 – Virtual Console |
| Metal Slug 5
Original release date(s):
|
Release years by system:
2003 – Neo Geo 2005 – PlayStation 2 2005 – Xbox |
| Metal Slug 6
Original release date(s):
|
Release years by system:
2006 – Atomiswave 2006 – PlayStation 2 |
| Metal Slug 7
Original release date(s):
|
Release years by system:
2008 – Nintendo DS |
Remakes
| Title | Details |
| Metal Slug X
Original release date(s):
|
Release years by system:
1999 – Neo Geo 2001 – PlayStation 2012 – Virtual Console 2013 – iOS/Android 2014 – Microsoft Windows (Steam) |
Notes:
|
|
| Metal Slug XX
Original release date(s):
|
Release years by system:
2009 – PlayStation Portable 2010 – Xbox Live Arcade |
Notes:
|
Metal Slug – 1996, Neo Geo
Genre: Run & Gun
Publisher: Nazca Corporation, SNK
Ports:
1996 – Neo Geo CD
1997 – Sega Saturn
1997 – PlayStation
2008 – Virtual Console
2010 – PlayStation Network
2012 – iOS/Android
2015 – Steam
Story: The evil General Morden and his rebel army has launched a coup d’état on the world’s governments, and all attempts by the armies of the various countries to curtail his growing power fail. His most recent attack has given him access to a new form of all-terrain combat tank dubbed “Metal Slug”. In a last effort to stop Morden, Cpt. Marco Rossi and Lt. Tarma Roving of the Peregrine Falcon Strike Force are sent to locate and eliminate his powerbase, as well as reclaim or destroy any Metal Slugs they can find so as to keep the technology out of Morden’s hands. (Wiki)
Notable Releases in 1996:
- Duke Nukem 3D – 3D Realms, PC
- Pokémon Red and Green – Nintendo, Game Boy
- Super Mario RPG – Nintendo, SNES
- Metal Slug – SNK, Neo Geo
- Quake – id Software, PC
- NiGHTS into Dreams – Sega, Saturn
- Tomb Raider – Eidos, PC/PS1/Saturn
- Diablo – Blizzard Ent, PC
- Super Mario 64 – Nintendo, N64
- Civilization II – MicroProse, PC
- Resident Evil – Capcom, PS1
Notes:
Arguably the best Run & Gun games ever made.
NeoGeo’s Metal Slug version received very positive reviews.In a retrospective review, Neo-Geo.com scored the game 9 out of 10
Excellent hand drawn sprites with great animation.
Music is solid.
Game is fun and rewarding. Very rare now in the US.
Metal Slug 2 – 1998, Neo Geo
Genre: Run & Gun
Publisher: SNK (acquired Nazca)
Ports:
1998 – Neo Geo CD
2008 – Virtual Console
2011 – PlayStation Network
2013 – iOS/Android
2016 – Steam
Story: Two years have passed since the end of Metal Slug, when Capt. Marco Rossi and Lt. Tarma Roving of Peregrine Falcon Strike Force defeated and apparently killed the evil General Morden, who had staged a coup d’état against the worlds’ governments. Since then, various factions sympathetic to Morden have been in operation, but have always been considered insignificant. Recently, however, they have begun to act in unison, and army intelligence concludes that the only way this could happen is if Morden himself is in fact still alive and is attempting a new coup. (Wiki)
Notable Releases in 1998:
- Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes – Capcom, Arcade
- Panzer Dragoon Saga – Sega, Saturn
- StarCraft – Blizzard, PC
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six – Red Storm Entertainment, PS1
- Metal Gear Solid – Konami, PS1
- Half-Life– Valve, PC
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time – Nintendo, N64
- Sonic Adventure – Sega, Dreamcast
- Mario Party – Nintendo, N64
- Baldur’s Gate – Bioware, PC
- Suikoden II – Konami, PS1
- Soulcalibur – Project Soul/Namco, Arcade
Notes:
A lot of Slowdown in this one.
Upon their initial appearance, both Metal Slug 2 and Metal Slug X received generally positive reviews.
Excellent hand drawn sprites with great animation.
Music is solid.
Game is fun and rewarding.
Metal Slug 3 – 2000, Neo Geo
Genre: Run & Gun
Publisher: SNK (acquired Nazca)
Ports:
2003 – PlayStation 2
2004 – Xbox
2008 – Xbox Live Arcade
2012 – Virtual Console
2012 – iOS/Android
2014 – Steam
2015 – PlayStation Network
Story: One year after the events of Metal Slug 3 (timeline wise, also after the Metal Slug 6, which takes place after the 3) the world is trembling under the new threat of a mysterious but deadly cyber virus that threatens to attack and destroy any nation’s military computer system. With Tarma and Eri unable to help due to their own assignments in the matter, Marco and Fio are called in to investigate the situation and are joined by two newcomers, Nadia and Trevor. In their investigation, the group discovers that a rich terrorist organization known as Amadeus is behind the nefarious plot and has allied with General Morden’s Rebel Army. They head into battle against Amadeus’ forces, hoping to destroy the cyber virus before it gets the chance to wipe out the entire world’s military computer system. (Wiki)
Notable Releases in 2000:
- The Sims – EA, PC
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask – Nintendo, N64
- Perfect Dark – Rare, N64
- Shogun: Total War – Creative Assembly, PC
- Diablo II – Blizzard, PC
- Jet Set Radio – Sega, Dreamcast
- Dragon Quest VII – Enix, PS1
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 – NeverSoft, PS1
- Skies of Arcadia – Overworks, Dreamcast
- Phantasy Star Online – Sega, Dreamcast
- Hitman: Codename 47 – IO Interactive, PC
- Chrono Cross – Square, PS1
Notes:
Upon its initial appearance, Metal Slug 3 received generally positive reviews. Most of its subsequent ports and re-releases have also seen good reviews.
Excellent hand drawn sprites with great animation.
Music is solid.
Game is fun and rewarding.
Metal Slug 4 – 2002, Neo Geo
Genre: Run & Gun
Publisher: Mega Enterprise
Ports:
2004 – PlayStation 2
2005 – Xbox
2012 – Virtual Console
Story: Determined to wipe out every remnant of Morden’s powerbase, the army send Rossi and Roving to destroy all remaining rebel strongholds, one by one. During the fighting, however, Rossi and Roving come to the conclusion that the enemy is too well organised, and perhaps Morden is not as dead as was initially thought. Meanwhile, the S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. come across a series of strange events which lead the army to conclude that the aliens with whom Morden once allied himself have returned. The Peregrine Falcon Strike Force and S.P.A.R.R.O.W.S. are once again united, and sent to defeat this new threat. After various battles against Morden’s forces, the heroes are shocked to face off against Mordern himself. However, after defeating him, it is revealed that it was really an alien in disguise, and the real Morden has (once again) been taken prisoner by the aliens. (Wiki)
Notable Releases in 2002:
- The Sims – EA, PC
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask – Nintendo, N64
- Perfect Dark – Rare, N64
- Shogun: Total War – Creative Assembly, PC
- Diablo II – Blizzard, PC
- Jet Set Radio – Sega, Dreamcast
- Dragon Quest VII – Enix, PS1
- Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2 – NeverSoft, PS1
- Skies of Arcadia – Overworks, Dreamcast
- Phantasy Star Online – Sega, Dreamcast
- Hitman: Codename 47 – IO Interactive, PC
- Chrono Cross – Square, PS1
Notes:
First Metal Slug not developed by the original members, but instead by Mega Enterprise, a Korean Developer.
Reused many backgrounds from previous games.
Metal Slug 4 was positively received by players with users scores of 7.8 for PS2, 7.3 for Xbox, 8.1 for Neo Geo
Excellent hand drawn sprites with great animation.
Metal Slug 5 – 2003, Neo Geo
Genre: Run & Gun
Publisher: Noise Factory
Ports:
2005 – PlayStation 2
2005 – Xbox
Story: A special disc that contains deep and intricate secrets about the Metal Slug project is stolen by a mysterious group called the Ptolemaic Army, whose speciality lies from within archaeological excavation and espionage. Marco and Tarma of the Peregrine Falcon Strike Force follow in hot pursuit against the group and in the process are joined by Eri and Fio of SPARROWS. Together once more, the quartet investigate the shrouded objective of the Ptolemaic Army, who over time grows more powerful as they are joined by a mysterious masked man and his followers. At the end of the game, the Ptolemaic Army summons a giant demon as the final boss, which after a long battle is forced to leave Earth thanks to the heroes. (Wiki)
Notable Releases in 2003:
- Panzer Dragoon Orta – Sega, Xbox
- Dynasty Warriors 4 – Omega Force, PS2
- Final Fantasy XI: Rise of the Zilart – Square, PS2
- Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – LucasArts, Xbox
- Silent Hill 3 – Konami, PS2
- Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution – Sega, PS2
- F-Zero GX – Nintendo, Gamecube
- Soul Calibur II – Project Soul, PS2/Xbox/Gamecube
- Viewtiful Joe – Team Viewtiful, Gamecube
- Call of Duty – Infinity Ward, PC
- Fire Emblem – Nintendo, GBA
- Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time – Ubisoft, PS2/Xbox
- Mario Kart: Double Dash!! – Nintendo, Gamecube
- Deus Ex: Invisible War – Ion Storm, Xbox/PC
- Beyond Good & Evil – Ubisoft, Xbox/Gamecube
Notes:
The biggest difference from previous titles is the addition of the slide move, which allows the player to evade and maneuver in a new fashion.
Metal Slug 5 incorporates a wealth of new environments and backgrounds and features a more Heavy metal influenced soundtrack.
Metal Slug 5 received mixed to positive reviews from critics. It received very positive scores from players, with an average of 8.1.
Excellent hand drawn sprites with great animation.
Metal Slug 6 – 2006, Atomiswave (Neo Geo)
Genre: Run & Gun
Publisher: SNK Playmore, Sega
Ports:
2006 – PlayStation 2
Story: Once more, the presence of General Morden looms over the world. Marco Rossi and Tarma Roving of the Peregrine Falcon unit and Eri Kasamoto and Fio Germi of SPARROWS are ordered to investigate, and they are joined by two new allies named Ralf Jones and Clark Still. Together, they proceed into the mountains where Morden’s Rebel Army has established an outpost. After destroying their latest war machine in a long hillside battle, the soldiers confront Morden and discover that he has rebuilt his alliance with the Martians. However, it is revealed that the Martians themselves are being invaded and eaten by a new race of aliens called Invader and they have turned to Morden for help. (Wiki)
Notable Releases in 2006:
- The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess – GameCube
- The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – Xbox 360
- Gears of War – Xbox 360
- Okami – Playstation 2
- Company of Heroes – PC
- Guitar Hero II – Playstation 2
- Final Fantasy XII – Playstation 2
- Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter – Xbox 360
- GTR 2 – PC
- Medieval 2: Total War – PC
Notes:
The Metal Slug, Type-R Metal Slug, Slug Flyer and a Slug Gunner prototype make an appearance in the game, as well as some new ones.
Each character now has unique abilities: Marco’s basic gun does more damage, Eri can throw bombs in multiple directions, and so on. Some characters also have special attack techniques that are activated through certain button combinations. Characters can now throw away one gun power-up’s worth of ammunition, to give to the other player or simply discard altogether. A secondary melee attack is also available. Conversely, the sliding technique from Metal Slug 5 has been removed, and players except Fio and Ralf only receive half as much ammo for special guns.
Metal Slug 6 introduces a new play mechanic dubbed the ‘Weapon Stock System’. Two gun power-ups can now be carried at the same time.
The score is now multiplied by powers of 2. The faster the speed at which enemies are killed, the higher the power, as a meter at the bottom of the screen shows. When it says “Max” enemies and destructible objects will drop coins for an extra high score.
Excellent hand drawn sprites with great animation.
Metal Slug 7 – 2008, Atomiswave (Neo Geo)
Genre: Run & Gun
Publisher: SNK Playmore
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