Metal Slug XX (PSP) Review

Over the years, Metal Slug has grown into its own beast, distancing itself from the Contra series that inspired it. Recently, SNK took its run-and-gun act on the road, releasing Metal Slug 7 for the Nintendo DS. Now PSP owners get a turn with Metal Slug XX, a remixed version of 7 with a couple of added features.

There's no major plot here. You play as one of six soldiers of fortune (with the ability to add a seventh), gunning their way through a series of enemies, ranging from foot soldiers to heavily armored tanks to bizarre monstrosities doubling as bosses. Along the way, you'll rescue prisoners of war, picking up food, bonus points and helpful weapons in the process. Some are good for short-range attacks, while others, like the missile launcher, do major damage to baddies ahead of you. In addition, you have a knife, if some folks get a little too close for comfort.

For the most part, the game plays exactly like previous Metal Slugs. You can jump, shoot and throw grenades, and it still hits the spot, especially on the higher difficulties. (You don't need to worry about running out of continues, as they're unlimited.) However, no matter which option you choose, whether it's the D-pad or the analog nub, the game doesn't feel 100 percent accurate. There are times when you'll clumsily miss shooting behind you or make a mistake and lose your precious power-up because your soldier didn't perform as instructed. It's not a game-breaker, as you can still move on, but it's a little frustrating when you're trying to rescue all those POWs.

There are some upsides, however. In addition to the main game (which will take you a couple of hours to finish), there's also Combat School, which features 70 plus mini-games. Most of these consist of the "shoot everything that moves" variety, but they're still good fun. What's more, you can bring a friend with you in-co-op fashion, working with them through AdHoc. Unfortunately, you'll both need a copy of the game, as Metal Slug XX doesn't support Game Sharing.

Metal Slug XX doesn't necessarily do anything spectacular with its presentation, but we're happy that SNK stuck with what works. The hand-drawn 2-D visuals are a delight, especially when you run into some of the later bosses in the game.

The game as a whole runs smoothly, with very few hitches or slowdown. Even better, the background music is pure combat cheese, but it'll put a smile on your face, especially if you're listening via headphones. The sound effects are good too, with solid voice samples ("Thank you!") and plenty of explosions.

Finally, Metal Slug XX gives you access to the PlayStation Network for downloading a seventh character (Leona from the King of Fighters series, for a dollar). She's good at up-close combat, but SNK should've included her from the get-go.

That's a mild complaint, however, especially when you consider that SNK and Atlus provide Metal Slug XX for such a cheap price. It goes for just under $20, which is justifiable for what you receive. It lacks precision controls and Game Sharing, but this shoot-em-up still brings plenty to the table. If you're a fan, don't hesitate.