Metal Slug 7
Available for Nintendo DS
Release date: November 18, 2008 (US)
ESRB Rating: T for Teen
Publisher: Ignition Entertainment
Developer: SNK Playmore
Official website: metalslug7-us.com

Once upon a time, you needed a powerful and expensive system to enjoy a Metal Slug game. Now, the series has invaded every platform. I've honestly lost track of all the different versions. There's compilations and even digital downloads from various games in the series. Metal Slug 7, lucky #7, is an exclusive and notable release for the Nintendo DS platform.

The graphics and animation of Metal Slug 7 look great and don't skip a beat on the DS. It has the slick look the Metal Slug series is known for. There's no slowdown with all the action and canon fodder going on. It's among the best graphical presentations on the Nintendo's DS handheld. Characters, environments, slugs, enemies, and explosions all look crisp and colorful. The audio is what you'd expect from the series, from POW's "thank you!" to the screams from your enemies.

In Metal Slug 7's main menu, you can select from Main Mission, Combat School, POW List, Ranking and Options. In Main Mission, you'll choose from six different characters, with their own special abilities and various strengths. You can also select from three difficulty modes: Beginner, Normal and Hard. I don't consider myself a hardcore Metal Slug gamer, so Beginner and autofire "on" will do for me. Seasoned sluggers can go for the Hard mode. That makes it enjoyable at any level.

Throughout the game's levels, there are different vehicles, or Slugs, you'll be able to hop into. Besides the staple Metal Slug (tank), there's the Slug Flyer (plane) and some new ones, including the Slug Truck and Slug Gigant. The Slug Gigant is an awesome new Slug. You'll only wish you had more time with it. Once you complete a level, it is available to jump to in the Mission Selection screen. There are 7 levels (Missions) total.

With Metal Slug 7 being exclusive to the DS, you would have expected some unique use of the dual screens and/or touch screen. The touch screen is made use of, but you'll barely use it. You basically move the stylus around a mini map of the level to locate items. With the frantic action happening non-stop, you won't have time to mess with it. Or much purpose. It would have been better if the touch screen was put to use for more gameplay area, like in Contra 4. Unfortunately, it wasn't. The use of WiFi for multiplayer is also missing. This Metal Slug game is for going solo.

While you may get through the seven missions of Metal Slug 7 fairly quickly, mastering it is another story. Making it through a level with all the POWs is a tough task (not losing a life). One feature with plenty of replay value is the Combat School. There are 80 missions to master, with high score and time rankings for reach. It would have been cool if it tied into an online leaderboard, but it doesn't. You can increase your rank the further you progress through the Combat School, from the wee beginning as a "Recruit" until the ultimate "General of the Army."

The box presentation of the game is nice, with a foil slipover cover and fully colored manual. There's also a mini-poster inside. It's the little details like that which adds to the artful presentation of the game. Bonus points for a game package that does that when black and white manuals seem commonplace.

If you're looking for nice looking and challenging side-scrolling shooter fix, Metal Slug 7 is it. Although a better implementation of some of the DS features (touch/dual screens and WiFi) would have made it even better, the action and gameplay controls well and it looks incredibly detailed on the DS. It's a keeper in your collection of show-off Nintendo DS titles and a nice addition to the Metal Slug series. Slug Junkies of the series won't be disappointed in the side-scrolling action.

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