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This Wednesday: Microsoft to roll Metal Slug 3 onto XBLA
We know that there are some of you who have already tired of your holiday toys, and while we think this is incredibly selfish and that you should be ashamed, Microsoft has stepped up, announcing an "updated version" of Metal Slug 3 for Xbox Live Arcade. The game will roll onto the service next Wednesday, January 2, and promises updated HD visuals and two player co-op over Xbox Live, along with all of the 'rocket lowncher' antics you can handle. So, for those of you who are just like my mother, and are never satisfied, prepare to fork over a cool 800 MS Points ($10). There, happy now?%Gallery-12357%
SNK needs to save one of these calendars for themselves
Metal Slug Anthology just came out in Japan. Yesterday. It's a collection of emulated games, from a company that has always taken a unique approach to translation (basically SNK's games are in Engrish in either territory), and which were originally released in Japan. We have to wonder what held up the release for so long, besides the (completely necessary) addition of Classic Controller support.Possibly attempting to make up for the massive wait, SNK is bundling early purchases of Metal Slug Complete with jewel-case calendars featuring character art from the company's games. If only SNK had popped open one of those calendars and realized that it's not 2006 anymore, they might have released the game in a timely manner.
First batch of Metal Slug 7 screens makes us wish second batch was released instead
It pains us to admit it, but the screenshots that've followed up yesterday's Metal Slug 7 announcement aren't quite the gorgeous scenes of 2D chaos we anticipated. Perhaps 1UP's usual wonky image scaling is to blame, or maybe the run-and-gun game just needs to be seen in motion -- either way, SNK Playmore has a playable demo available at the Tokyo Game Show, so we'll likely receive some hands-on impressions soon. Though we haven't yet heard anything about Metal Slug 7's touchscreen features or any multiplayer possibilities, a "Combat School" mode in which you can complete specific missions and earn medals has been revealed. Hop in an SV-001 and drive past the post break for a couple more screenshots.
Metal Slug 7, Doki Doki Majo Shinpan 2 on the way
This week's Famitsu contains two SNK mini-megatons, according to the NeoGAFfers liveblogging their readthroughs. First, a sequel to a game that plenty of people think shouldn't have existed in the first place, Doki Doki Majo Shinpan. Maybe this one will be less boring than the original. Or, maybe it'll be exactly like the first one.The other game is something that people can express their interest in, even outside of the safe anonymity of the Internet: Metal Slug 7. This is the first game in the main series not to be released to arcades, and it's going to be a DS game (Metal Slug 3D was a Japanese PS2 release, and Metal Slug Advance came out on the GBA). It also means that the same system is getting brand new (2D) Contra and Metal Slug games, and is therefore the best system ever for the run & gun game.
PSP Fanboy review: Metal Slug Anthology
Most people only read reviews to find out if they should buy, try or avoid a particular game. With that in mind, here's that info on Metal Slug Anthology for those who don't want to read a full review. Buy: If you are a Metal Slug fan or enjoy 2D shooters (ex. Contra). Try: If you haven't played Metal Slug or a 2D shooter before, but enjoy action games. Avoid: If you don't like dated graphics, 2D games or shooters.
Metal Slug model to drool over
Metal Slug fansite Metal Slug Database has put up this gorgeous looking Metal Slug model that fans of the series should certainly appreciate. It's a resin model kit and assembly and painting is needed, so if you did buy this, it's unlikely it'd look as good as the image above. It's unclear if the model is official or not, but it's officially awesome. If only the model came free with copies of Metal Slug Anthology for PSP, then it would be the ultimate collectors edition. Do any readers love Metal Slug still like myself? [Via Game Set Watch]
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]
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!)
Today's hottest game video: Neo-Geo Emulator on the PSP gone wifi
Well, technically it's the second hottest game video, because the top spot is still occupied by the New Wii Promo trailer from yesterday, with a gargantuan 58,059 views. So we move on to the second spot which only has a paltry 7,824 views. Although it does show some pretty awesome Neo-Geo emulation happening with wifi on some tricked out PlayStation Portables. Sit patiently through the first half of the video which is extremely blurry shots of the two handhelds booting up into emulation mode (someone tell this guy where the macro focus button is). Once you make it through that, you'll be rewarded with some two-player Metal Slug action, happening through the PSP's wifi connection, and has all the graphics and sound effects you've come to love.Nice job! Now make it work on the Nintendo DS. The Game Boy Advance had a version, but no two player mode. Although by the time this emulated version might work on the DS, the Nintendo Wii and Xbox Live Arcade versions may already be out. But still, we want some wireless two player Metal Slug hotness while we're on the go on both our PSP and our DS. Come on, we're not too demanding, are we?
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.
