Not everyone is going to enjoy the gameplay mechanics of Metal Slug 3, as stated previously it’s a side-scrolling 2D shooter. With that in mind, the game can also be finished within an hour, if you are very talented and don’t mind having swollen hands. However there is one positive going for the game in this regard and that’s, it’s a budget title, going for a low AU$ 49.95
Lock and Load… without the quarters that is
For those who have never heard of the Metal Slug series, then let me explain. It’s 2D shooting at its finest, inspired by such classics as Contra. But what makes the Metal Slug series so popular is its own colourful art design, its wicked sense of humour and unbelievable difficultly. Being an arcade game, Metal Slug 3 is short and to the point, being quite limited to what you would expect in a normal priced retail game. Metal Slug 3 isn’t even the latest sequel in the series (Metal Slug 5 is in the arcades) so why would anyone want to spend they hard earned cash, (even if it is only $49.95) on a short, limited arcade game, which only existed to pump coins out of gamers, in the arcades? The reason is you won’t find a better face-paced, wacky, 2D shooter for the Xbox.
Where's the beach party?
It is quite ironic that a simple game like Metal Slug 3 would consist of such a complex storyline involving government conspiracies, backstabbing and aliens! This storyline really isn’t ever shown throughout the game however, so the only thing you will have to understand is how to shoot and most preferably do it with a second player, as it’s always a blast to kick ass with a friend.
Time to Slug it out
The game consist of five missions and if you have ever played Metal Slug 3 in the arcades then you will pleased to know that the Xbox version is a perfect conversion and in some ways better, as it delivers a steady framerate no matter what’s going on. Metal Slug 3 is easy to control, as you move left to right literally firing at everything on screen. You’ll start each mission with the basic handgun and a handful of German-like stick grenades, but as you progress through each enemy filled environment you’re going to realise that the handgun just isn’t going to cut it. Thankfully Metal Slug 3 gives players the opportunity to use a large array of powerful weapons, which makes carving through enemies much easier. As silly as it might seem, a large majority of these power-ups will materialize from prisoner of war’s (POW’s) trousers, which are scattered throughout each mission and are willing to exchange these trousers goodies if you rescue them. There defiantly is a nice variety of weapons, from shotguns to flamethrowers and even more wacky weapons such as the iron lizard, which will launch ground-hugging lizard missiles!
Of course what would a Metal Slug game without the slugs that makes it famous for? Slugs are armoured tanks, jets and other weird contraptions that players can jump into and lay waste to everything on screen. However not only are there mechanical slugs, but also a range of bizarre animal slugs, which offer their services.
Animal testing gone too far.
One Tough Cookie
Anyone who has played Metal Slug 3 in the arcades knows that this game is one of the toughest 2D side-scrolling shooters ever. You see in the Slug series, there is no life bar, or vitality meter – one hit and you’re dead, plain and simple. So then becomes the problem with the delicate balancing of the game, so it’s not frustrating for gamers, yet doesn’t offer ten minutes of gameplay before it’s over. Before the PAL release, Metal Slug 3 for the Xbox, incorporated a continue system which forced players to restart each level from the beginning (rather than the spot they died at) in an attempt to up the challenge. This change however, was met by massive backlash by Slug fans and since it’s PAL release, Metal Slug 3 for the Xbox has gone back to the old continue system of the arcades. While diminishing some of the difficulty in the game (as you start with ten credits) it allows the game to be more accessible to all gamers and do not for one minute start thinking that playing with ten credits is going to make the ride through the game easy, it’s still one tough cookie, especially mission five which could be one of the hardest, longest 2D shooting levels ever.
All the pretty colours
Visually Metal Slug 3 is one of the best hand drawn 2D games ever. The range of animation for each character is outstanding, as well as the environments and backgrounds. Furthermore, the animation is smooth and well presented. There defiantly is plenty of artistic appeal to discover in Metal Slug 3; including each mission, which are packed with their own personality and flavour. While this simplistic 2D animation won’t win over all gamers, those who can appreciate that every sprite in the game was hand drawn will start to realize that some real talent went behind Metal Slug 3’s visual department.
Great balls of fire.
The sound and music also co-exist with the Metal Slug 3’s beautiful animation. The music in the game fits each mission’s theme perfectly, gearing you ready for some fast trigger action as you run rampart blasting things, left, right and centre. The sound effects are good, from the dynamic explosions, the enemy screams and best of all, the over-the-top game announcer who bellows such things as “Rockit Lawncha” when you pick up power-ups.
The main criticism for Metal Slug 3 on the Xbox however, comes from its lack of extra content. The game includes, a mission select, (replay levels you have completed) three difficult levels, (easy, normal, hard) Xbox Live online scoreboard access, and two extra, minute game modes – Storming the Mother Ship, and Fat Island. It’s a shame more wasn’t done with Xbox Live, such as cooperative play, but as it stands you can compete for top score, from anyone around the world, which helps add some length to the game. Storming the Mother Ship is unique, as it involves you playing as the enemy and attempting to storm the fifth mission’s alien mother ship. Fat Island on the other hand, allows players to go head to head against a friend to see who can eat the most food in a small enemy infested arena. Both modes are unlocked once you finish the main game, but really don’t add much to the overall content to the game. It would have been nice to see more extras, or even to see another Metal Slug game packaged along side Metal Slug 3, even at a budget price.
One slugger coming right up
If you like old school shooters and don’t mind a bit of 2D repetitive shooting that require God-like reflexes, than Metal Slug 3 will be a blast. Its own artistic flare and simple yet enthralling gameplay will keep you coming back just for one more go. Metal Slug 3 for the Xbox as it stands is the best port of the game to date, despite its disappointing lack of extra content and presently is the best 2D side-scrolling shooting game that you will find for the console with the added bonus of a budget price. Bring on Metal Slug 4/5.
There is a reason why it's there 
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