After 7 Metal Slug games, and countless continues, I can’t tell you what a Metal Slug is, but I can tell you about SNK Playmores latest compilation of arcade ports. The popular Metal Slug has returned; love it or hate it; SNK wants you to remember their over the top gun blasting arcade hit from the 1990’s. Slap all seven under one roof, and we have the Metal Slug Anthology for the PSP.

Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Metal Slug, SNK has decided to give side scrolling shooter fans one more offering of Metal Slug. I’m one of those old school gamers who remember playing Metal Slug in the arcade on the overlooked Neo-Geo system. We didn’t have many Neo-Geo’s around, but the one pool hall had it running had me hooked. How could I ever forget pumping quarters into two of my favorite arcade games, Metal Slug and King of the Monsters? Metal Slug rocked back in the day and it was the highlight of the Neo-Geo that offered a bunch of unique games that you could find next to anywhere else.

Metal Slug was a dangerous beast in the arcade. It is one of the hungriest ‘Quarter Monster’ I've played. Unless you’re on the top of your game, Metal Slug can be one of the most continued games in history. Metal Slug is an odd mix of frustration, fun, and quick relaxes, mixed in with an over the top production and lots and lots of explosions. It’s safe to say Metal Slug revolutionized the side scrolling shooter and any gamer interested in gaming history, you need to have a look at Metal Slug.

In case you’ve never seen a Metal Slug game running, it’s a multi-layered side scrolling action game that pits the gamer, a lone solder, against a Rebellion army. Your dogging and shooting skills have to be lightning quick as you battle against hundreds of dropping bombs, metal robots, alien forces, and more. Metal Slug has a plot mixed into the action somewhere that deals with Military groups, evil plans, and other forgettable melodrama. If there has ever been a game that didn’t need a plot, it’s Metal Slug. Metal Slug is about shooting the bad guys and trying not to get shot. It’s simple, and easy to get, which is one of the reasons Metal Slug has been so popular. The last things Metal Slug needs is an infectious storyline slowing down the fun. Don’t worry, SNK hasn’t announced a Metal Slug RPG just yet.

In this compilation of 7 Metal Slug games, you have the who bag of tricks from Metal Slug, to the first time console/handheld release of Metal Slug 6. The reason there isn’t a Metal Slug 7, is because of Metal Slug X which is remix of Metal Slug 2. Metal Slug has never been fully overhauled, but it does evolve to a certain degree of improvements over the seven games. At a first glance they might seem like the same game over and over, but there are some nice subtleties to each game that makes it unique on its own. In case you’re curious I will run over a few of the evolving aspects in Metal Slug.

After the original Metal Slug, Metal Slug 2 introduced a few stapes that have lasted over the franchises life. One fun aspect in Metal Slug are the character transformations. In Metal Slug 2 you can be transformed into a mummy, and comically grow obese. These transformations alter the characters appearance, movement rate, and attacks. Besides good for a laugh, the transformations continue to be a unique factor in the series that spans most versions of the game including new suits like scuba gear, and a space suit, to a monkey in Metal Slug 4. Other evolutions in the series come in the way of new weapons, enemies, and vehicles. Each new Metal Slug game really pushes the art forward and puts gamers in a number of tongue and cheek situations with at times absurd amount of enemies, including zombies and aliens. One vehicle that needs to be seen is the Donkey Slug, which is a Donkey that is armed with a Vulcan cannon in Metal Slug 6.

This anthology edition of Metal Slug offers up a few extras that are nice, but unnecessary. The unlockable art and interviews with the productions crew could of been spared. Metal Slug has some cool art that strangely doesn't reflect in-game graphics. Interviews and art are cool for a one shot viewing, it seems like this content was added just for the sake of adding content. The feature that is the most important is a mid way save point which is a blessing to the series that intern means you finally will get to clear each Metal Slug games without having to go numb in one sitting. One other feature that is runner up to the save is the ability to play co-op with a friend. Co-operative play is a welcomed addition to the Anthology and they way to go if you have a friend who also loves the slug. Metal Slug on co-op is as good as it gets, the hard part is finding someone who doens't mind the frustration of hitting continue time after time.

If you wanted to complain about Metal Slug it would be easy. For a series that spans ten years the differences between each game is slight, compared to this generation of games that see more changes and evolution. Metal Slug is the type of game that you either love, or hate, it’s that simple. The PSP has a little issue with load times and slow down that should have been dealt with considering the processing power of the old Neo-Geo board. The drop in frame rate slows down the game play at times which is most noticeable in the older versions of Metal Slug. Besides those rough patches, Metal Slug is an iconic game that is now preserved for the PSP, Wii, and PS2. It's great to have a collection like Metal Slug in one gathering, Metal Slug is an original staple in arcade gaming.

Not too many gaming franchises besides the sporting world have made it up to six versions of their game without striking out. Even though some of the Metal Slug games can be pawed off as minor upgrades, they each have unique characteristics that keep them interesting. If you enjoy one, you will probably enjoy them all. I wouldn’t suggest playing through the entire catalog in one sitting, but over a course of a few weeks, or months. The Metal Slug Anthology is worth picking up, if you’ve ever enjoyed a 2D side scrolling shooter. Metal Slug proves itself in its longevity and continued popularity over 10 years; this is one game you could own forever.

Gameplay: 8, Graphics/Sound: 5, Innovation: 5, Mojo: 8. Final: 7 / 10