METAL SLUG Switch NSP Free Download Romslab

METAL SLUG Switch NSP Free Download Of all the titles released during the Neo Geo’s surprisingly long lifespan, Metal Slug arguably stands out as one of the most famous and beloved. Released in 1996 – a time when the traditional run-and-gun arcade shooter was on the wane – this debut release dazzled with its superb visuals, excellent animation and tight controls. Since then, we’ve seen six mainline sequels and a series of spin-offs, as well as anthology collections and Virtual Console releases on the Wii. It was almost inevitable that Metal Slug would make an appearance on the Switch the moment that Hamster Corp. confirmed it was bringing its ACA Neo Geo range to the console, and the good news is that this seminal title has lost none of its ability to entertain. ROMSLAB.COM Best Switch Games

METAL SLUG Switch NSP Free Download Romslab

The setting surely requires no explanation; you’re tasked with taking down an entire army of enemies using a series of guns – many of which can be collected in the field by saving POWs and have limited ammo – grenades and (of course) the titular Metal Slug tank. This “Super Vehicle” pops up at predetermined points in each of the game’s levels, and is capable of taking a fair amount of punishment before it explodes and your character is forcibly ejected. Later Slug games introduced a wide range of alternative vehicles – some of which felt a little on the gimmicky side – but by sticking to a single option here there’s a certain purity to the experience.

The original Super Vehicle

This simplicity may be viewed as a shortcoming, but in all honesty Metal Slug is such a refined and enjoyable romp that it actually feels tighter and more enjoyable than some of its gung-ho sequels, many of which piled on the sprites (and the absurdity) to the point where some scenes looked downright silly and slowdown was a real issue. In this opening game, the theme is kept strictly military, avoiding the rather outlandish and largely nonsensical plots introduced in later entries. You won’t find any gigantic mechanised crabs but you will find an impressive selection of screen-filling military ordinance, all of which you’re expected to take down. Catherine: Full Body Switch NSP 

METAL SLUG Switch NSP Free Download Romslab

The visuals really are stunning, even after 20 years; this is 2D artwork at its finest, boasting detailed characters, rich backgrounds and plenty of offbeat humour. Enemy soldiers display a wide range of emotions; explosions send them flying into the air with blood-curdling screams, while at other points – unaware of your presence – they indulge in bonefire chats or a spot of sunbathing. As you can imagine, these memorable moments are what makes Metal Slug stand out from other run-and-gun titles, which tend to take a humourless view on the art of destruction.

Back to the classic

Imagine if Super Nintendo had a powered-up “Pro” version, and some of the most talented 2D artists were to design a game for it. What would it look like? The answer is: like Metal Slug. This is simply one the most beautiful games in existence. It’s not so much because of its unique character – in fact, it’s just another action title with Nazi-like scum to shoot and a badass hero in the centre of it all. Instead, it’s the level of detail at hand. Every single background, and every single sprite, be it a giant machine of death, or a simple soldier getting some shuteye, looks fantastic here, something that helps with making Metal Slug a video game that’s impossible to become bored of looking at. Celeste Switch NSP

METAL SLUG Switch NSP Free Download Romslab

However… visuals? Bah! The meat here is the action, and, boy, does this deliver on that part. The basic concept is this: pistol at hand, enemies on the right, typical horizontal run-and-gun action. The main character can pick up additional weaponry, throw grenades, and even board the titular Metal Slug, which is a pretty fancy piece of armoured tech that can shoot enemies, as well as jump around. Simple, right? Well, while not the most in-depth of action games, and while all the shooting can get a bit repetitive after a while, make no mistake, this is great fun. That has a lot to do with the never-a-dull-moment approach it has when it comes to the gunplay, as each step provides a different challenge, meaning that, in a matter of five or so minutes, the player will get to battle with soldiers, helicopters, tanks, mini-bosses, and all sorts of goodies.

Sound and Screams of defeated soldiers

It can get repetitive, though – and the monotonous groans and screams of defeated soldiers, as well as the subpar OST doesn’t help much, or maybe the author of this review is spoiled by Konami. Of course, this being an arcade game, it is “supposed” to be a tad repetitive… as well as extremely challenging. Yes, Metal Slug is a typical coin-muncher that gets increasingly tougher with each step, with the last two (out of six) levels throwing an endless, and almost unpredictable, barrage of enemies towards the protagonist. Chess Knights: Viking Lands 

METAL SLUG Switch NSP Free Download Romslab

Being an arcade title, of course, means that it’s all about trying to survive, as well as gather lots of points to get as close to the top of that high score list. Finding hostages helps a lot with that, with those unfortunate fellows (almost the secondary mascots of the franchise) providing additional items, as well as tons of fun, as some are hidden in some pretty hard to find spots, offering some sort of a “side-quest” to keep you company. Needless to say, though, that Metal Slug is at its best when played along with a friend. Chicken Rider Switch NSP Free 

Add-ons (DLC): METAL SLUG Switch NSP