Metal Slug 7 - Nintendo DS

This is the first Metal Slug game I have ever played. I've always seen gameplay videos of previous installments from this series and they all looked fun. From the smooth and humerous animations to the fast run and gun gaemplay I decided to give it a try and I am happy to say that this is so far the best DS game I have ever purchased. Although there are only 7 stages, don't let that fool you into thinking that this is a short game. There is tons of replay value to be had.You choose from characters all with their own special characterisitcs. For example, Marco is exceptional with the handgun while Eri is an expert with explosives and can throw them in different directions unlike her other allies. All of them are animated beautifully which gives them lots of charm and personality. Part of the fun is figuring out which character suits your play style and playing to that characters strenghts to get higher scores. The game is simple to play and highly addictive only requiring you to reach the end of a stage by running and gunning. The difficulty (especially on later levels and on higher difficulty settings) are quite challenging, but its never so hard to where you want to give up playing which is a rare balancing act to achieve in most games these days. Speaking of higher scores, the addictive gameplay is geared toward just that.You'll notice that the game encourages you to defeat enemies quickly through utilizing the Blast Rush Meter. The more enemies you kill in quick succession the faster the gauge builds. Once the meter is at max, defeated enemies release coins that you can get to increase your score further. Individually they're not worth much, but collect a large amount in quick succession and they gradually increase in value significantly. The gauge is only at maximum for a limited time so you have to kill as many enemies as fast as possible. Score is also heightened by collecting point items and POWs. Specifically point items are hidden throughout the stage but POWs can be seen in plain sight as well as be hidden from you. POWs, once resuced, can give you either point items or weapons and collecting as many as you can without losing a life at the end of a stage nets you a massive score bonus.The weapons are a lot of fun to use. They range from your standard fare of firearms like heavy machineguns and shotguns to more interesting weapons such as a laser gun and even a sword that dispels enemy projectiles! You always have your handgun, but you can only have two special weapons at a time and can switch between them with the tap of the R button. Devastation can also be handed out through the use of Slugs which are your armored vehicles. All operate differently and range from tanks both wheeled and bipedal to an aircraft. Decimating large groups of enemies with such weaponry is incredibly satisfying but you will certainly have your favorites.The Combat School is where you will spend most of your time. There are a variety challenges to complete for each stage ranging from eliminating enemy bases, to collecting items,and bouncing balls towards a goal. Choose your character carefully as some are better for certain missions than others and since you are being evaluated with a letter grade, it can mean the difference between an A or an S rank.All of your attention will be on the top screen since the bottom screen is negligable. It only shows your position in the stage and stage layout. Items and POWS are only shown once they have been acquired which may be useful for memorization or in some other capacity if you're trying to make a skillful run of them game but not much else. To look at the map requires you to stop what you are doing by using the stylus which is not a good idea since it breaks the flow of the game which emphasises fast gameplay.With the irrelevant bottom screen aside, overall I can't find much to complain about with this game. It's visually appealing amd incredibly fun to play, especially on the go. I can garauntee this will be in your permanent collection for years to come.

I have never been able to say no to Metal Slug, and I never will either. That's why I was nothing but excited when I heard that Metal Slug would be making its debut on the DS with Metal Slug 7, and needless to say, if you're a fan of the series and own a DS, you know that you need to own this. The run and gun experience of the arcade smash has managed to be perfectly shrunken down for the DS, and there's virtually no slowdown with all the action happening. It's a sheer blast to play through, which is what one would expect from a Metal Slug game, and it offers everything that has made the series so fun to begin with, as well as a few new Slugs to boot. That being said, Metal Slug 7 isn't without it's flaws. Namely the fact that it won't take you too long to blast through the game, and other than the standard Arcade Mode and the Combat School Mode, that's pretty much it. There's no online or co-op (one of the true pleasures of Metal Slug is playing with a pal), and no use of the touch-screen, or any of the DS' other capabilities either. Still, hardcore Metal Slug fans will find much to admire here, and if you are and you own a DS, Metal Slug 7 is a must own.

Back on the Neo-Geo Pocket Color (for all 5 of you who may have had one), there were a couple of Metal Slug games - First Mission and Second Mission. These games were actually made from the ground up to be handheld titles. There were branching missions (slug-plane gets shot down, go to one mission; make it to the end of the level, go to another, etc.), health and rank upgrades, unlockable characters. It took me about 6-7 playthroughs to see everything they had to offer.Metal Slug 7 unfortunately is basically another iteration of the arcade series. It's very short, completely linear, and is very little bang for your buck. It's fun while it lasts, but when you get down to it it's like a prettier, funnier, easier Contra, one that you won't want to replay nearly as much.

According to the description it should have cover or manual or both, but when i received it, it doesnt have anything but the cartridge.

I'm very pleased with this Metal Slug. It runs as crisp and clear as the arcade/console versions. It's a blast to have so many characters who actually have differences; it makes for great re-playability and strategy on various missions. I can't call this a bad game by a long shot. If you like Metal Slug, and have a DS, this is a great fix.

It did not come with the game's box, i did buy it used tho besides that the game is great. Now i have officially played all the metal slug games.

If you've played Metal Slug before, don't expect anything radically different. This is almost the same game you've played eight other times --that's what makes it one of the DS's best arcade games. There is a plot; I have no idea what is is, and still don't after six playthroughs. But it's not important enough to pay attention to, so don't bother. The action taking place on the top screen is reminiscent of the arcade game. Though the DS's small screens force the sprites to feel squished down, and takes away some of the sharpness. Thankfully the animations are smooth and the framerate hold up even when there are ten enemies on the screen. Like most Metal Slugs, the game can be beaten in a matter of an hour, so SNK included an in-game leaderboard that shows best times for game completion and individual levels. There's also an objective based mode, though I didn't play it that often. It's there, though. If you enjoy Metal Slug in general, pick this up. More of the same isn't always a bad thing.