Metal Slug 4 & 5

Reviewed by:
Paul Semel

Not to be confused with some VH1 show in which an aging rock star introduces old Slayer and Pantera videos, Metal Slug is the type of addictive, 2-D, side-scrolling shooter that hasn’t been around since music television channels actually played videos. This double-disc set features a pair of old school favorites that are exact duplicates of the arcade versions: unrelenting run’n’gun bloodbaths in the vein of Contra, but with more cartoonish graphics. The home edition adds multiple skill levels, new characters, and unlimited continuations for when you die—which you’ll use a lot, since this game is tougher than elephant jerky. And while fans of such modern shootouts as Halo 2 will scoff at its Super Nintendo–ish look and gameplay, anyone who can remember the last decade without the aid of I Love the ’90s should come away smiling.

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