Metal Slug Advance (Game Boy Advance)
Developed by: Playmore
Published by: SNK NeoGeo

The original Neo Geo Metal Slut.. I mean Metal Slug, came out to arcades in 1996. This version for the Gameboy Advance is basically a port of the original game, but it also has a few extras added to the mix. Lock and load the cartridge into your GBA and get ready for some gun-slinging action BIATCH!

The side-scrolling jumping and shooting style gameplay of metal slug is the perfect game for the GBA market. Think Contra but with better graphics. Blow up everything in sight and save as many prisoners as possible. You can even hop into tanks and planes to further your destructive needs.

In comparison to the arcade version, the GBA version contains more replay value and it gets rid of minor frustrations. One of the major changes they made was getting rid of the instant deaths in place of a life meter. Personally I’m glad they did so, because my GBA would be in a million pieces by now from dying every 2 seconds. Other changes include the ability to collect prisoner cards and things like items and power ups.

Graphically this game still looks sweet. The animations are still comical and the sound effects are pretty much the way I remembered them. One of the best thing about the arcade version is the 2 player co-op mode. For some reason they took it out in this version, which kind of sucks, but who the hell plays multiplayer games on the GBA anyways? Another thing is the game is too damn short. Only 5 main stages in total with infinite continues, so you will blow through it pretty fast. That’s why you can go back to previous levels and look for cards and other secrets… Duhh!

The best part about this game is that anyone can pick it up and instantly play. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how to play, unless the rocket scientist is a dumbass knuckle head McSpazzitron. It’s nice to see games like this still kicking around, reminding us how cool games were back in the day. — Chian

SCORE: