P378 Teletext 378 Jul18 23:18:21 U U U —————————————————————————————————— METAL SLUG 5 (PS2) You can't really call yourself a hardcore gamer (not that weWre saying you'd want to) without professing your love for SNK at every opportunity. The famous arcade publisher, with its ridiculously expensive Neg-Geo console, actually went bust a few years ago but the name and games were revived. As part of its comeback tour it's releasing Metal Slug 5 and a bunch of others on the PS2 and Xbox^ ——————————————————————————————————1/7—— by David Jenkins HAD AN ACCIDENT THAT WARN'T YOUR FAULT? SEE ITV1 p385 Inbox Ace TV Guide Loans AdP378 Teletext 378 Jul18 23:11:10 U U UU —————————————————————————————————— METAL SLUG 5 (PS2) Although Metal Slug 5 and 4 were released as a single package in the US, Sony Europe, in its wUsdom, has insisted each be sold separately, albeit at £19.99 each. This is a problem for Metal Slug 4 as it's easily the weakest of the series and really only for completists. Number 5 is a lot better, even if it still ism't as good as the already released Metal Slug 3. ——————————————————————————————————2/7—— Win trip to Barcelona p680 ITV digital FANTASTIC MALTA DEALS AT GREAT PRICES HOLIDAYS FROM £139 ON p264 Inbox Ace TV Guide Loans AdP378 Teletext 378 Jul18 23:11:13 U U U —————————————————————————————————— METAL SLUG 5 (PS2) At heart the Metal Slug games are just simple horizontally scrolling shoot 'em-ups, similar to Contra/Gryzor and the like^ They're distinguished, though, by some superb cartoon-style graphics (in an early '90s coin-op sort of a way) and a nice line in dark humour. Developed by SNK Playmore itself, Metal Slug 5 suggests that the old SNK magic is still as potent as ever. ——————————————————————————————————3/7—— Latest DVD reviews 314 GOT A CAMERA PHONE? SEND US A WACKY PHOTO AND WIN £250!! SEE p682 Inbox Ace TV Guide Loans AdP378 Teletext 378 Jul18 23:12:46 U U UU —————————————————————————————————— METAL SLUG 5 (PS2) The main problem with Metal Slug 4 is it shamelessly reused graphics and level concepts from earlier games in the series, such that only about 75% of it was actually new. Number 5 is far more generous with the new stuff, with new weapons, enemies and vehicles^ The new Spider Slug is particularly good, as is the Transformers-style Slug Gunner tank/robot. ——————————————————————————————————4/7—— Play sudoku on your telly! 142 Make your mobile cool Visit the PhoneZone ITV1 p590 Inbox Ace TV Guide Loans AdP378 Teletext 378 Jul18 23:32:22 U —————————————————————————————————— METAL SLUG 5 (PS2) The game doesn't seem without its faults, though. It still reuses a lot of old animation (much of it getting on for a decade old) and there's a curious lack of alternate routes through the game^ It's also even shorter than usual, at not much more than 30 minutes. But the new sliding move is a mostly welcome addition, and helps to make the sequel one of the easier ones. ——————————————————————————————————5/7—— Fantastic 4 377 Inbox Ace TV Guide Loans AdP378 Teletext 378 Jul18 23:25:44 U U —————————————————————————————————— METAL SLUG 5 (PS2) It's a real shame Metal Slug 5 and 4 aren't still bundled together as they made much more sense as a double pack. Even so, number 5 still has a lot to recommend it and should please fans and any new converts who enjoyed number 3. They're both out in September for PS2 and Xbox, along with fellow SNK Playmore games Samurai Shodown V and The King Of Fighters 2003. Both of which are also just £19.99 a throw. ——————————————————————————————————6/7—— e-mail us: gamecentral@teletext.co.uk UNLOCK YOUR PENSION ITV1 p359 Inbox Ace TV Guide Loans AdP378 Teletext 378 Jul18 23:15:42 Advjrtiwjment 7/7 PS2 PS-ONE PUP PC X-BOX GAMECUBE DS DREAMCAST UNLIMITED GAMEBOY ADV & COLOR N64 OVER 20,000 CHEATS TIPS & GUIDES Area 51 Midnight Club 1-3 Batman Begins Mortal Kombat: Dec. Brothers in Arms NFS Underground 1&2 Destr. All Humans Onimusha 1, 2 & 3 Dball Z Budokai 3 Pokemon Ruby & Sapp ] FIFA 2004 & 2005 PoP Warrior Within God of War Res. Evil Code V. X ] Gran (urismo 3&4 Res. Evil Outbreak G.T.A.San Andreas Sonic Mega Collect. Juiced Splinter Cell 1,2&3 Lego Star Wars Star Wars Episode 3 LMA Manager 04&05 Street Racing Synd. Med.of Honor E.A. The Gateway 1 & 2 Merck. P.of Dist. Plus Many More... Call 09066 091 111 Now! Ask Permission Cost60p/min Limit 5Min Free Customer Service 0800 081 6000 Inbox Ace TV Guide Loans Ad