Metal Slug 1st & 2nd Mission Double Pack

Genre: Compilation / Action-Platformer

Players: 1

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Review:

(Note: The games in this Compilation are also included in the NEOGEO Pocket Color Selection Vol. 1 bundle, along with Big Tournament Golf, Dark Arms: Beast Buster 1999, Fatal Fury First Contact, King of Fighters R-2, Samurai Shodown! 2, SNK Gals’ Fighters, SNK Vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium, and The Last Blade: Beyond the Destiny)

Metal Slug 1st & 2nd Mission Double Pack is a Compilation including the two named games, both Action-Platformers in SNK’s long-running Metal Slug series, with these two games originally releasing on the NEOGEO Pocket Color in 1999 and 2000 respectively, and then brought to Nintendo Switch in this bundle in 2021. This release of these games includes display settings, a selection of borders, zoom controls, a rewind function, and a copy of the original game’s manual, but there are no significant enhancements to the game itself.

Unfortunately, due to the hardware limitations of the NEOGEO Pocket Color, this game isn’t quite up to par with its console counterparts. The games’ 2D pixel art graphics not only lack the level of wonderful detail and animation that the Metal Slug series has come to be known for, but both games also suffer from slowdown when multiple enemies appear at once, as well as controls that aren’t always as fluid as they should be. In addition, neither of these games supports multiplayer. However, possibly the most limiting element here is the screen size – the tiny screen of the NEOGEO Pocket Color just isn’t very conducive to this sort of game.

Even with all of its flaws, both of the Metal Slug games included here are still fun to play, but it’s hard not to look at the other Metal Slug games on the eShop as a part of the ACA NEOGEO series, which are only a little bit more expensive per game than this package but offer a much better experience. If you’re looking for great Action-Platformers, I recommend that you look there first. This package is only for the most diehard fans of the franchise.

tl;dr – Metal Slug 1st & 2nd Mission Double Pack is a Compilation of the two named Action-Platformers in SNK’s long-running series originally released on the NEOGEO Pocket Color. Unfortunately, the limitations of that hardware really hobble these games when they’re compared to other games in the genre or even in its own series, including the ACA NEOGEO games you can get on the Nintendo Switch. Unless you have a nostalgia for the original releases, you’re better off sticking with other games in the Metal Slug series.

Grade: C

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