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Saturday PSP background explosion
Every week we give you new backgrounds for your PSP. In fact, I'm sure some PSP owners change their backgrounds more than their underwear. Much like that disturbing mental image, this week we have a disturbing background, a radical one and one that is fully loaded. What am I talking about? Well you'll have to see the backgrounds for yourself! Backgrounds after the jump ...
Metal Slug's slippery release
What is up with SNK??? Metal Slug Anthology was supposed to come out last year, and ever since, it's been constantly pushed back. We said it was coming out in February, and now it appears it's been delayed ... again. amazon.com shows a March release, which has us questioning: how hard is it to port over decades-old games? SNK gets a big "boo" for their constant release date shuffling.Send your complaint e-mails to: info @ snkplaymoreusa.com[Via IGN]
Metareview: Metal Slug Anthology
Upon mentioning the name of Metal Slug, gamer ears perk up much like a dog that hears a school bus coming down the block. It's one of, if not the best, 2D side-scrolling shooters in existence. And upon releasing their anthology compilation on the Wii, many wondered how the title could take advantage of the Wii's specific features. According to the critics, the game doesn't really accomplish this, but the fun and replay value of the 7 titles within are enough to make up for it. Nintendo Power (80/100) says it's a natural choice for fans of the old-school: "Fans of classic, side-scrolling, 2D action will love Metal Slug Anthology." [Jan. 2007, p.108] Game Informer (75/100) points out the flaw in the control options: "The problem is that no matter which [control scheme] you select, you'll sacrifice functionality - either in maneuverability or how you lob grenades." [Jan 2007, p.107] IGN (72/100) tasks us to not get our hopes up if expecting more than just the seven different games: "These are amazing games, and if you want to own them in any form, now's a good chance to do that. Just don't expect a grand fanfare when you boot the game up. It's basically seven titles for $40 bucks. No more, no less."
Metal Slug Anthology with a 'twist'
Metal Slug Anthology ships for Wii today, combining the series' seven arcade installments into one, and twisting them out with some quirky control schemes.More standardized versions of Anthology will arrive on PSP and PlayStation 2 in the coming weeks, but the Wii offering is the most tempting. Sure it's gimmicky, but it provides a series of unorthodox challenges (mastering each control setting), undoubtedly luring seasoned vets to invest a few more quarters into the franchise -- as if these games weren't hard enough already.
New Metal Slug trailer makes next week's Metal choice difficult
The Metal Slug Anthology is finally coming out next week on the PS2, Wii and PSP. Of course, there's really only one platform you'll want this on: the PSP. Handheld 2D carnage to go sounds like a blast, and this new trailer proves it. But with Metal Gear also coming out on the same day, PSP gamers will have a rough choice to make. (Of course, the best course of action would be to get both!)
Metal Slug on GBA no more
According to the latest issue of Famitsu, by way of DS-x2, four Metal Slug titles slated for released on the GBA have been cancelled. Metal Slug, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug 3, and Metal Slug X have all been tossed to the garbage. No other information explaining why the titles have been cancelled is available. Could it have something to do with the upcoming release of Metal Slug Anthology?
Wii's 5 different ways to Metal Slug
Call it a bonus, call it a gimmick, but we're bound to see Wii games getting packed with wacky control schemes. First up Metal Slug Anthology, promising five nontraditional schemes in addition to GameCube controller support. We suppose it'll add some replay value, but some of these just look like annoyances: "Nunchuk Control Stick" - movement and fire controlled with Nunchuk; grenades tossed by flicking Wiimote "Tilt Wii Remote" - tilts control movement; d-pad "up" to jump (no nunchuk attached) "Wii Remote" - classic controls; flick to toss grenades (no nunchuk attached) "Arcade" - hold Wiimote vertical against surface (emulates joystick); nunchuk fires and jumps (flick it for grenades) "Nunchuk Only" - Nunchuk controls all (except weapon switch and alternate attack) [Via 1UP]
New Wii boxes, just like the old boxes [update 2]
The boxes for three more Wii games have been finalized -- Metal Slug Anthology, Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam and Monster 4x4 World Circuit all got the stamp of officialized boxart love from IGN. Since none of these games are unique to the Wii, the boxes are no great revelation, but they're pretty because they're ours.[Update 1: Seems there are multiple versions of the Tony Hawk box floating around. Some have the WiFi logo and some don't. Could the logo be a mistake from someone putting the boxart together and not paying attention, or is it a sign of things to come? We're looking into it.][Update 2: Spoke with our Activision rep, who indicated that any boxes floating around with the WiFi logo must be placeholders -- nothing has changed in regard to the lack of WiFi support for the Wii at this time. And we were so excited. Beware, beware of placeholder boxes! Thanks to our eagle-eyed readers on this one.]
Ridiculously awesome Metal Slug trailer
Things blow up real good in this insanely awesome Metal Slug Collection trailer. You might notice the trailer is surprisingly gory, featuring "blood, blood and more blood." The trailer clocks in at over 5 minutes, making it quite an amazing montage of guns, explosions and gore: sounds like the perfect game for me. And because I love you guys, you can download a PSP formatted version here.[Via Gamespot]
TGS 06: Every PSP game previewed
There are way too many PSP games at this year's Tokyo Game Show. Because not all of us have time to read all the impressions and previews of all the games coming out, PSP Fanboy has created this nifty guide for all the games that were previewed. You'll get a thumbs up or a thumbs down from the major video game news sites. If a game looks like it might be a real winner, we'll award it "The Official PSP Fanboy Entranced Korean Award." These are the games that'll end up in Korea on giant PSPs, luring people to their eventual doom. And, that's pretty cool. Read on to see all the previews!
Metal Slug blasts its way onto XBLA
1UP is reporting that Metal Slug is heading to Xbox Live Arcade. In an interesting twist, there were no big announcements on the subject. 1UP simply noticed a blurb about the game in a pamphlet they received at TGS. Supposedly, the game to be released will be the original Metal Slug and not one of its many sequels. No release date has been given, but 2007 seems to be a fair guess at this point. We have two words for you SNK: online co-op. Make it happen.[Via Joystiq]360 at the Tokyo Game Show:TGS Marketplace content, 9/22Lost Planet and Viva Piñata videoMicrosoft TGS briefing video now availableToday's Marketplace content, 9/21DOAX2 video makes us feel naughtyLost Odyssey intro video
Metal Slug rolling onto XBLA
1UP reports of an SNK Playmore pamphlet circulating the halls of Tokyo Game Show, advertising Metal Slug for Xbox Live Arcade. Allegedly, the text translates to "the original," suggesting that Metal Slug 1 will arrive on Microsoft's download service. But when?Aside from the XBLA pipeline being jammed full of pending titles, Metal Slug also has its unofficial successor, Alien Hominid, to contend with. With Hominid well ahead of Metal Slug in the queue, and (hopefully) a more dedicated effort from Microsoft to diversify XBLA content as the service evolves, SNK's classic could fall by the wayside. We predict a late 2007 rollout.
Metal Slug to feature "blood, blood and more blood"
Now that Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins has come and gone, it seems like I need a new lethally difficult 2D game to pine over. As previously revealed, the Metal Slug Collection will feature six Metal Slug games. IGN UK recently got some hands-on time with the game, and squealed in delight to see "blood, blood and more blood," as in the original Japanese release. (I wonder what the ESRB will have to say about that...) Although the game looks stunning on the PSP screen, the writer had a few concerns with the game. Firstly, it will be very short, considering how each game in the series clocks in at about an hour long. Although SNK is adding extras, they're limited to just concept art. Also, the load times seem unnecessarily long as of now (considering how this game isn't too technically advanced, the load times should be non-existant). Finally, the menu designs seem just slapped on together sloppily. Hopefully, SNK will fix these issues before the game releases in September.
SNK to wait until 2009 to develop for PS3
According to Yoshihito Koyama, overseas marketing manager of SNK (King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, Metal Slug), is hesitant to support the PlayStation 3 from day one. Koyama gives his perspective to Kotaku's Brian Ashcraft: "My first impression is that it's expensive. The PlayStation 2 is good enough. It's small and cheap. For us, for manufacturers, we have to invest in a new system, and the PlayStation 3 is a risk. There won't be enough consoles at launch. Few consoles mean few software sales. We need to wait three or four years. Maybe 2009-2010 is a good time to release a game for the PS3." SNK is still supporting the PlayStation 2, whose titles are backwards compatible on the PS3, and the PSP. The Metal Slug anthology coming to the PSP will probably arrive for $39 or $49, according to Koyama's statements. The Nintendo Wii's Metal Slug anthology will have the same graphics as the PSP version, and is expected to arrive at launch, although Koyama admits he isn't sure when that is. His best guess is "sometime in the middle of November, just before Thanksgiving." Atari also recently revealed that they would be holding off until 2007 to release a PlayStation 3 title.[via PS3 Fanboy; thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Oops! SNK steers clear of the PS3 'til 2009
Expensive, risk, risky, pricey, expensive, risk... we've heard all of this nonsense before! SNK, you are crazy. Yet, wise. SNK's marketing manager Yoshihito Koyama has gone on record with Kotaku saying, "My first impression is that it's expensive ... the PlayStation 3 is a risk." We can't blame SNK for being cautious -- they're not a very large firm and developing for the PS3 may indeed be a very dangerous risk.However, SNK is eager to embrace the Nintendo Wii. They wish to use the Wiimote to incorporate a new dimension of play into their planned Metal Slug Anthology release. Also of note is that SNK still plans to release some games on the PS2, such as King of Fighters: Maximum Impact 2. Fighting games get such long titles! Anyway, SNK is waiting until 2009 to get cracking on the PS3. By then, development costs may decrease, more hardware in more homes (making for more software sales) and of course, the ulterior motive: making sure the PS3 doesn't crash and burn. We certainly hope that's not the case. Since the PS3 can neither drive nor fly.
2D's glory -- in top five form
This one brought a soft spot to my heart though I'm not sure exactly why. Perhaps it's my old-school gaming nostalgia kicking in, but there's something quite charming about a 2D game in this world of uber three-dimensional madness. Fond memories aside, the good folks at Game Daily put together a nice little list of the "Top Five Most Gorgeous Looking 2D Games." With a mix of old and new, the list's cherry-on-top is the Guilty Gear series -- a personal favorite of mine. If you've never played this insanity-filled fighting series, I suggest you go to your local video store and rent it right away. Other honorable mentions include the PSP titles Loco Roco and Lumines, a couple Yoshi titles, and Metal Slug.
Metal Slug announced for Nintendo Wii
SNK has pledged its support for Wii, announcing Metal Slug Anthology for the next-gen console — marking the umpteenth time the series has been ported to a new platform. The publisher has promised to include the "complete Metal Slug arcade collection," plus unspecified bonus content. Ben Herman, President of SNK, also stated that the Wii controller would be used in a "new and unique way," but stopped short of detailing the particulars of this gameplay enhancement.SNK also announced SNK vs Capcom Card Fighters for the DS.[Via news release]
