Gamertell Review: Metal Slug XX for PSP

Title: Metal Slug XX
Price: $19.99
System(s): PSP
Release Date: February 23, 2010
Publisher (Developer): Atlus (SNK Playmore)
ESRB Rating: “Teen” for Blood and Violence
Pros: Better than DS version, great presentation and graphics, co-op multiplayer, battle school, audio sounds better, new slugs to ride and wreck havoc in and you can keep track of records and hostages rescued.
Cons: You have to pay extra for Leona and multiplayer is ad-hoc online.
Overall Score: Two thumbs up, 95/100, A, * * * * 1/2 out of 5

It’s impossible to talk about Metal Slug XX without discussing Metal Slug 7. Metal Slug 7 was the eighth Metal Slug game, and the first to be released only on a portable system (the DS) and not in arcades. Initially, it was a DS exclusive, until now. It’s now available on the PSP as Metal Slug XX and, aside from some graphical changes made to make the best of the PSP’s display and co-op multiplayer, is essentially the same game. Thankfully, it’s a great game.

Find General Morden and stop his revolution.

Story isn’t really a big part of Metal Slug XX. There is one, but it’s very subdued, and never even spelled out in words. If you’re not a Metal Slug fan, or didn’t take the time to read the instruction manual, you’ll miss it.

General Morden, a famous traitor, dictator-wannabe and troublemaker, has shown his face again. His forces have been discovered on a place called Garbage Island, and so the government has sent Marco Rossi, Tarma Roving, Fio Germi, Eri Kasamoto, Clark Still, Ralf Jones and (if you pay for her) Leona Heidern in to investigate and neutralize any threats.

Even better in widescreen and with friends.

The PSP version of Metal Slug XX enhances two aspects of the original DS Metal Slug 7, the visuals and the multiplayer. The DS version packed everything onto the upper screen, with the bottom showing a map, and had no multiplayer option. The PSP shows everything in crisp, widescreen presentation and adds in an ad-hoc multiplayer mode.

Metal Slug XX just looks awesome. Everything is crisp, clear and easy to see. You can notice all the little details on all the soldiers and slugs. Plus, the bosses look much more impressive now that you have an enhanced and more defined view of them. The widescreen view is also quite nice, and practical as well. You have a better view of what lies ahead and behind of you, making it easier to handle oncoming assaults.

The multiplayer is the best addition though, and most welcome. It’s a cooperative multiplayer mode which makes Metal Slug XX feel more like the arcade entries in the series. In it, both players get to take part in the Main Mission campaign, assisting each other in taking out enemies and bosses. It fits for the game and the series, and the only disappointing part about it is that both PSPs must have a copy of Metal Slug XX.

An instant run-and-gun classic.

Essentially, everything said in the DS review of Metal Slug 7 still rings true in Metal Slug XX. It’s a wonderful action game that manages to be challenging and accessible at the same time. Newcomers and fans alike will be delighted by the clear graphics, battle school challenges, co-operative multiplayer and familiar Metal Slug fan. It’s the sort of game that never really gets old, so long as you love grabbing weapons and shooting relentlessly at anything that moves.

Site [Metal Slug XX]