Metal Slug X

Metal Slug X (メタルスラッグ X, Metaru Suraggu Ekkusu) is a run and gun video game in the Metal Slug series. The game is available for the Neo-Geo console/arcade platform created by SNK. It was released in 1999 for the MVS arcade platform and is a remixed/upgraded/spin-off version of Metal Slug 2 that utilizes the game engine from Metal Slug 3. It is the pseudo-third title in the series. It was also ported to the Sony PlayStation. It was also released as part of the Metal Slug Anthology for the Wii, PlayStation 2 and PSP.

It is believed that the main reason for SNK developing Metal Slug X was that Metal Slug 2 had issues with severe slowdown during several stages of gameplay. This issue is non-existent in Metal Slug X.

Differences from Metal Slug 2

 * Much of the music has been slightly remixed/altered. It is made to sound more clean, sweeping and/or epic.
 * Many stages had the time of day changed. Instead of being simply at day or at night, the stages take place at dusk, twilight, and sunset.
 * It is now possible for your character to become fat in every stage after Mission 2, while it was only possible in Mission 4 previously.
 * There is less slowdown than in Metal Slug 2.
 * All levels contain increased and different enemies, as well as a different boss in the first mission.
 * Vehicle types and locations are usually changed.
 * There are generally more power ups, prisoners, and items, particularly food, which are often hidden and must be shot to obtain.
 * The action is more unusual, with many environmental elements doing things such as exploding with unexpected results or randomly spewing out items or enemies.
 * Original art for Metal Slug is shown at the end of the game while the credits are rolling, instead of a black screen used in Metal Slug 2.

New features
Big/Super Weapons: Heavier damage versions are available for the heavy machine gun, flameshot, shotgun, laser rifle, and rocket launcher. When compared with their normal counterparts, each big/super weapon deals more damage, has a more "fierce" appearance, and has a wider (or longer) area of impact. If the player happens to be fat while using these heavier weapons, a new appearance takes on and the player does even more damage.

Stones: These primordial weapons deal five to ten pistol shots of damage a piece. When fat, the player will throw boulders. This is more of a focused damage bomb and can kill off single targets with ease, but sacrifices the area of impact of the typical bomb.

Iron Lizard [I]: The Iron Lizard is arguably the most surrealistic weapon or vehicle in any of the Metal Slug games. This weapon drops out a Warner Brothers-style wheeled missile that rapidly races along the ground to hit an enemy. Like rockets and grenades, this weapon inflicts area effect damage. The Big Iron Lizard is a yellow sphere with two legs and a mini antenna attached to its top.

Enemy Chaser [C]: The Enemy Chaser fires out small missiles that seeks the closest enemy (or breakable object) on the screen. This weapon is similar to the rocket launcher, but it does less damage. However, it does have much better tracking abilities than the rocket launcher. The Big Enemy Chaser is a sphere-shaped projectile with higher mass (and inertia), but a tighter turning radius.

Super Grenade [G]: The Super Grenade fires projectiles much like a real grenade launcher would. The grenades fired are otherwise similar to the hand-tossed bombs. This weapon is able to penetrate through groups of soldiers and aliens.

Drop Shot [D]: The drop shot is one of the most distinctive weapons in the entire series. This gun shoots out bouncy cannon balls that move horizontally at about the same speed as the protagonists. Because of their bouncy nature, accuracy is most often at a minimum, but it is possible to fired over cover without exposing yourself. The Big Drop Shot is much larger and more elastic than the regular variety.

Metal Slug Type-R: Also known as the "Golden Metal Slug", it is only available in Mission 3. It looks the same as the normal Metal Slug and has the same weaponry, but can move faster and jump higher.

Metal Slug X adds a second vehicle in each level, either for use by the other player, or as a replacement for one lost earlier. Riding each vehicle to the end of the mission can result in a bonus for both players, though certain vehicles offer greater bonuses due to difficulty in a certain situation.

Levels
The levels are functionally similar to their MS2 counterparts, but the scenery may be lit differently. They may also contain different enemies, and different secret bonus locations.

The first level begins in Middle Eastern desert. Unlike Metal Slug 2, the level takes place at night, not in the afternoon, and many of the Arab thugs are replaced by Rebel soldiers. A building has been converted into a missile launching platform by Morden's men, serving as the mini-boss, as well as enemy vehicles and a group of helicopters. Along with the Camel Slug, a regular Metal Slug is also provided. The boss is a heavy truck bearing various weapons—it was ported over from Mission 5 of MS1, and replaces the Harrier Boss that was here before.

After storming the Middle East, the player reaches Egypt, where they will enter a pyramid nearby the Nile. Here, the Laser gun and Firebomb can be obtained right from the start, and the Iron Lizard is introduced. Besides the mummies from Metal Slug 2, the player will also confront mummy dogs, and scarab-spewing mummies that instantly kill the player. Two Slugnoids are now available for use to battle the boss.

The next level happens along a supply route, where the player infiltrates a military train using brute force. Here, the player can turn chubby (the announcer said, "Ooh, big!") instead of waiting until level 4. After crossing enemy supply bunkers, defeating catamarans and jumping from train to train while fending a helicopter's assault (which isn't present in Metal Slug 2), the player must fight the first boss of Metal Slug 2, the Harrier, which is now a mini-boss. It now carries tanks, rather than the Arab fighters from before. Crashing the boss, the player engages enemy snipers while picking up a Drop Shot. Then, the player has a choice of obtaining two vehicles, a Golden Metal Slug and a Slug Flyer, to deal with swarms of vehicles, motorbikes, and prop fighters before a showdown with the boss (exactly the same boss like in the previous title).

The next level bring the player to China. General Morden has formed an alliance with the Mars People, and they make an earlier appearance in this level rather than the final level. Some of the places have changed, too, compared to Metal Slug 2—the area with the boats are now replaced by hollowed wells spewing rockets. Defeating aliens and Morden's thugs, the Battlecruiser boss reappears from MS2.

Next level occurs in New York City, USA. Like in Metal Slug 2, player(s) blows up cars, fights through enemies, and rescues hostages - the only difference is that a Metal Slug could be employed in this level, and there are tanks storming through the streets of the Big Apple along with helicopters. The tank is left behind at the subway entrance. In the subway tunnel, an additional enemy that is absent in Metal Slug 2 is a Rail Tank (from Mission 4 of MS1), which slides its way at the player. Entering the underground laboratory, the Metal Slug which could be found hidden in the ceiling is instead replaced by the Slugnoid. At the end of the level before meeting the boss, the player will face a lot more tanks than they did in Metal Slug 2. The boss is still the huge Nuclear submarine, although this time it is much larger and fires faster projectiles.

The final level happens near the frozen Arctic seas. The mechanical bridge that appears in Metal Slug 2 appears as before, but this time there are rockets coming at the player besides Morden's soldiers. At the aliens laboratory area, there is twice the amount of alien troopers that have to be fought. Near the end, confronting the final boss, the fight occurs at dawn instead of at night like in Metal Slug 2. The Independence Day-themed scene remains, with the jets fighting alien pods, and Morden's soldiers help fight to rescue their kidnapped General.

The credits start rolling. Instead of the dark, empty screen in Metal Slug 2's credits, the background screen is now full of illustrations and artwork by Metal Slug's graphic artists.

Characters

 * Marco Rossi
 * Tarma Roving
 * Eri Kasamoto
 * Fiolina Germi
 * Allen O'Neil
 * General Morden
 * Mars People