Metal Slug is one of videogaming's biggest cult franchises, mixing intense side-scrolling shooting with screen-filling bosses in an experience which is intensely thrilling from beginning to end. Such is its appeal in the creation and perfection of what is now a relatively niche genre, the series has continued to spawn sequel after sequel. Number six is the latest and to celebrate this milestone, SNK has decided to compile every Metal Slug title together in one neat package (including Metal Slug 6 for the first time on a console). Of course, being the version of this collection, they've added the obligatory Wii-specific controls, but been careful that its next-generation implementation doesn't completely detract from the previous games now-retrograde touches.

In what might even arrive as a relief to videogaming veterans, Metal Slug's gameplay premise is incredibly simple (doing away with the lengthy setup options, complicated storylines, subplots and extras that players almost demand nowadays), which means instead that you're in the thick of the action mere seconds after powering up your Wii. Each mission consists of just one main aim: blasting your way mercilessly across each location from beginning to end, rescuing prisoners of war dotted throughout, whilst racking up mega points scores and destroying the end of level boss - and that's about it. Of course, there's the occasional weapon upgrade and the ability to acquire bombs to be used for singular, more hefty attacks where needs be, but in the main it's a military-based bloodbath unfolding in front of your very eyes, you against hundreds upon hundreds of enemies one after another - and it's brilliant.

Although the basis for gameplay is almost unchanged from the beginning of number one to the final dregs of number six, Metal Slug never loses its grip on you, forcing the player to concentrate on the action unfolding on every inch of the screen at all times. Dying numerous times throughout is almost inevitable unless you're some kind of superhuman videogames player, but the testament to SNK's comes in the fact that you'll always be hammering at 'continue' in order to see your current mission through to the end.

Among the very few inconsistencies that do arise, Metal Slug 4 which wasn't developed by SNK stands out as the only title of the sextet that appears to fall below the high standard of the rest. Metal Slug 6, meanwhile, includes two difficulty settings and multiple characters with special abilities specific to each - a move that shows that the long-running series is slowly creaking into a forward, progressive movement.

Graphically, every edition in this anthology of Metal Slug titles remains faithful to its original release, slowdown an' all. Every game up until the most recent in the series shares a hard, pixelated edge to its appearance, but as far as this reviewer is concerned it all adds to the vintage charm of the experience. Each and every one of the hundreds of sprites is neatly animated throughout, with minute details such as the PoW's uncovering their clothes, looking directly into 'camera' with a grin and dropping some nice bonus items for you. Delightfully, you then spot the pained expression of a foe clearly visible on his little face, such touches often standing out as a highlight of a quick, ten minute blast. However, it's the sheer mayhem that's really impressive, with bullets flying, explosions aplenty and oversized, imaginative bosses that really capture the imagination. Metal Slug 6 introduces a smoother, somewhat duller aesthetic style, but makes up by introducing a camera that zooms in and out to display a less restrictive view of the 2D plain, both behind and in front of you.

For all that Anthology does right, there are a few elements that some die-hard fans might not appreciate. Touches such as the inclusion of an auto fire function and unlimited continues mean that the prayers of those who played Metal Slug in arcades with aching fingers and pockets emptied of change will have been answered, but there's no denying that without the option to turn them off, it removes some of the game's inherent challenge, particularly since your game can be saved. The other is the somewhat unnecessary use of Wii or nunchuck-only controls, the simplest of which acts in a traditional D-pad setup with a shake of the remote used to chuck bombs. It works fine for the most part, but is slightly unresponsive, meaning that the Classic Controller or a controller is your best bet for the most concise controls possible.

In essence, Metal Slug Anthology offers up one big chunk of videogaming history in one neat little package. For the six titles you're getting, there's no doubting its value for money either, especially so with unlockable artwork and interviews with the development staff as an added bonus. If you're tired of the unnecessary complications of some current generation videogames and you feel that what you need is a smattering of relief with quick fix action, then you're not going to go far wrong with this one - particularly if you've checked out Sega's Gunstar Heroes on the and loved that arrangement of relentless action.

81%

By Andrew Macarthy