Video Game Review - Metal Slug 1st & 2nd Mission Double Pack

Rob reviews Metal Slug 1st & 2nd Mission Double Pack on Nintendo Switch...

I've been a big fan of SNK's Metal Slug for several years now. From stumbling upon a version of Metal Slug 3 back on the Xbox Live Arcade, I've since shot my way through most - if not all of the shooter's offerings. One part of the franchise I wasn't familiar with is Metal Slug's outings on the NEOGEO Pocket Colour. Whilst I was eager to experience the Metal Slug 1st & 2nd Mission Double Pack what I found was one downright awful game, and the other...well it was M.I.A.

I've struggled with writing this review for a good couple of months. I've been hoping (and praying) that since launch SNK would come along and at least patch some of the "janky-ness", or at least give us Metal Slug 2nd Mission. However as of writing the '2nd Mission' is still nowhere to be seen.

There isn't a great deal that I can say about Metal Slug First Mission that's positive. The only real positives are that it at least looks (and somewhat plays) like a Metal Slug game. It's a bite-sized version of its flashier older sibling, which probably looked amazing on the NEOGEO Pocket Colour's miniature screen. The game takes roughly 2-hours to complete, with the story taking place over numerous small-sized missions. It certainly caters towards being a made for a handheld title, and there's a lot of content here. 

Yet away from this, 'First Mission' is a real chore to play through. 

Controls are the titles biggest flaw. It's certainly an odd sentence to write as the NEOGEO Pocket Colour only had two buttons. While these buttons are mapped to the Switch via A & B, the game suffers from terrible input lag. There are moments when you'll hit the button, just for your character to fire the shot about half a second later. It's incredibly annoying and a lot of the time rather than fighting the enemies, your fight the games software. Considering that Metal Slug can be fast-paced, having a 0.2-second delay matters. 

Away from this 1st Misson looks quite appealing. Of course, the visuals aren't a scratch on the more "advanced" versions of Metal Slug, but they're at the top end of what the NEOGEO Pocket Colour's hardware could support. Everything from the games backgrounds, Marco, the many enemies, and the titular Metal Slug retains an air of familiarity. Even if it doesn't play like a traditional game, it certainly looks like one. In contrast, the soundtrack and sound effects are a bit "meh". Music is very repetitive, and effects lack any caught. 

Much like other NEOGEO Pocket Colour ports on the Nintendo Switch, this double pack offers the usual zoom and rewind abilities. The ability to rewind is a great addition to these styles of games as they essentially allow you to do over silly mistakes. Yet with the awful controls, you'll be rewinding a lot. There's also the option to have the game enclosed within a mock-up of its origin console - if that's your thing. 

So let's move on to Metal Slug 2nd Mission. When you buy this double pack the Switch store describes it as exactly that - a double pack of two titles. However the second game is simply not there, it doesn't appear anywhere on the store or your Switch library. It doesn't download as a separate title, and it's not included within the 1st Missions title screen. I've looked online and there's nothing official mentioned about the issue, just other review outlets mentioning the same thing. I

Because of this, I can't recommend the Metal Slug 1st & 2nd Mission Double Pack. The one game we do have is a terrible mess that doesn't do the series - or the NEOGEO Pocket Colour any justice. If your after a more complete Metal Slug title, the Nintendo Switch eShop has most of them already available. Do yourself a favour and give this one a miss. 

Rating 1/10 

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev