Metal Slug X (1999)

This title is an enhanced version of Metal Slug 2, offering fast-paced, side-scrolling, run-and-gun action that captures the spirit of the arcade original. The gameplay is fluid and packed with chaotic explosions, creative enemies, and the signature vehicles that define the series. It blends tight shooting mechanics with a humorous tone, as enemies react comically and stages overflow with visual flair and personality.

The graphics are among the best 2D sprite work on the PlayStation, featuring detailed animations and colorful environments, even if some frames and effects are missing compared to the Neo-Geo version. The music and sound effects, while slightly compressed, still contribute to the energetic atmosphere. However, the PlayStation 1 port comes with a few compromises.

Load times break up the flow between stages, and occasional slowdown can occur when too many enemies fill the screen. The game is also relatively short, following its arcade roots, though the high difficulty and cooperative play add replay value. Overall, this game remains one of the most entertaining and polished 2D shooters available on the platform. It delivers frantic action, charming visuals, and plenty of humor, making it a standout title for fans of classic arcade gameplay.

Despite these limitations, this release remains a good way to experience the game, especially for those who didn’t have access to the arcade or Neo-Geo versions. The core design is very high quality, branching paths encourage experimentation, hidden prisoners reward attentive play, and mastering weapon pickups becomes essential for surviving later missions. Its balance of challenge and spectacle keeps each run exciting, and chasing a higher score or a cleaner playthrough adds lasting appeal. Even years after its release, it stands out with its art direction, responsive controls, and confident game design.

Metal Slug X is such an addicting and awesome game. The art style is arcade-y and some parts in the game are really funny. The shooting mechanics and side-scrolling action is better than it's ever been. Metal Slug X is like a combination of Metal Slug One and Two, it combines boss fights and it makes the experience longer and better. As always, the hilarious nazi-like soldiers go out with the awesome demises that are expected of them.

The controls are quick to learn, but long to master as you learn to be a supreme dodger. The music is slightly repetitious but adds to the overall gameplay. The fun as hell explosions are a key selling point. 2-player games are even more colorful. The extra mini-games are extremely addictive, if not frustrating sometimes. Combat school cuts no slack; trying to gain the instructors respect can be very tasking.

Overall, there is tons of eye candy and cute things to laugh at. For the veteran arcade gamer, this game will fill that missing piece of entertainment that is harder to find in a lot of consoles these days.

“I love the smell of napalm in the morning.”
–Apocalypse Now

Metal Slug is a series of run and gun side-scrollers by SNK that I usually look for on occasion that I enter an arcade. That experience is becoming rarer and rarer, and so is finding a Neo-Geo Metal Slug cabinet. But if it is there, guarantee I’ll drop a quarter in it, or four given today’s arcade prices.

You can probably imagine my delight when I found Metal Slug X on the PlayStation Network. Finally! I could play this arcade classic without wasting more of my college tuition and retirement funds!

Metal Slug X is a remake of Metal Slug 2, adding various new sound effects, music and graphics (changing the time of day in several stages), as well as more enemies, more weapons, and more vehicles. The result is a more difficult, intensely action-packed game overflowing with explosions. The series name Metal Slug refers to its trademark tank. You know a series named after a tank must be bombastic.

Read the full review at https://thewellredmage.wordpress.com/2016/09/04/me...

Platform:

Neo Geo Arcade version.

Graphics/Sound:

As I said in my review of Metal Slug 3 already the graphics of this series are the best 2d graphics I know and the sheer amount of detail and animations is unbelievable. It's so amazing that I don't even remember much about the soundtrack.

Gameplay:

Storywise this is the exact same thing as Metal Slug 2, but Metal Slug X brings an engine upgrade that was needed as the second had serious slowdown issues. This one seems smoother with even more action going on on screen. Where the first Metal Slug was set mostly in a war theme, with anything you encounter being military troops, the second opens up to more weird enemy choices, and more exotic settings. It starts off in the middle east and you can even ride a camel with a gun. Also you can now choose between 2 girl characters too.

Difficulty:

It's Metal Slug so de difficulty ramps up to some pretty insane levels, but I feel this is not the hardest Metal Slug game. It's not even that enemy projectiles fly too fast. Most of the time I die because I am distracted by something else happening.

Conclusion:

I think this is the second best game in the series. If you haven't played Metal Slug 2, don't worry, this is basically just an improvement. So I would consider this and Metal Slug 3 the must play episodes.