Support NeoGAF

[Kumiko Nikaido]

Because you need to know the minute differences between the Xbox and PS2 versions of Metal Slug 4/5!

The PS2 version of Metal Slug 4/5 came out a couple of months back, and with the Xbox version just released, SNK Playmore augmented some things during the interim period. Nothing major or mind-blowing mind you, but just some aesthetic differences here and there.

Metal Slug 4

When booting up the PS2 version of Metal Slug 4, you are presented with:

> Arcade Game
> Stage Select
> Options
> Record

Added to the Xbox version are:

> Access of stages through Arcade Game Mode - Seems pointless to have the "Stage Select" option since the game offers selection of stages here once you complete each stage.
> Sound Augmentation - Change the overall sound level output of music and sound effects. (Not present in PS2 version).
> "MVS" Difficulty - Added difficulty setting that represents Arcade MVS setting. (Not present in PS2 version).
> Friends List - See if your buddies are online!

You can upload and view high scores through Xbox Live if you press Y once you select the "Record" option and choose Score or Time scores.

For some odd-reason, Metal Slug 4 has black borders on the sides of the screen (not present in the PS2 version, as it's presented in full-screen). Why is this? Did the porting process cause SNK Playmore to run the game at a different resolution mode? Odd, indeed. Visually, the Xbox version has a softer image quality which reduces the pixelly-look and artifacting of all the sprite-mayhem and carnage of the PS2 version.

Metal Slug 5

When booting up the PS2 version of Metal Slug 5, you are presented with:

> Arcade Game
> Stage Select
> Option
> Record
> Trophy

Added to the Xbox version are:

> Access of stages through Arcade Game Mode - Seems pointless to have the "Stage Select" option since the game offers selection of stages here once you complete each stage.
> Sound Augmentation - Change the overall sound level output of music and sound effects. (Not present in PS2 version).
> Friends List - See if your buddies are online!

You can upload and view high scores through Xbox Live once you select Statistics and follow the directions.

Thankfully, unlike Metal Slug 4, Metal Slug 5 is presented in full-screen rather than having black borders on the side. And visually, the Xbox version has a softer image quality which reduces the pixelly-look and artifacting of all the sprite-mayhem and carnage of the PS2 version.

So which version is right for you?

If you have both systems, then go with the Xbox version. Xbox Live score-support & Friends List, added difficulty setting for Metal Slug 4, and added sound options put it a wee bit ahead of the PS2 version. On the other hand, Metal Slug 4 on Xbox is bordered, which sucks.

Of course, if you love the Dual Shock 2, the "edgy" picture-output of PS2, and don't give a damn about the online stuff, then by all means get fully-loaded and run-and-gun with this one!

SNK Playmore needs all your love!

 

[Deleted member 284]

PS2 for me as PS3 has a much better chance at BC'ing this title and I plan on getting rid of xbox/ps2/gc soon.

 

[Link1110]

"Only on XBOX" :lol

 

[Azure Dream]

I thought one of them had a changed method of continuing, like one let you restart right from the point you died at, the other at the checkpoints or beginning of the area or something. I remember someone saying, "If you want to actually finish the game, pick the [Xbox?] version."

 

[Suikoguy]

PS2 for me as PS3 has a much better chance at BC'ing this title and I plan on getting rid of xbox/ps2/gc soon.

Thats a big factor for some people, the chances of this working on the Xbox 360 are near 0 IMO. If you a person who wants to keep this game for a long time and be able to play it, PS2 version wins hands down.

 

[Kumiko Nikaido]

I thought one of them had a changed method of continuing, like one let you restart right from the point you died at, the other at the checkpoints or beginning of the area or something. I remember someone saying, "If you want to actually finish the game, pick the [Xbox?] version."

Both versions have the same continue-system, meaning that when you continue (and choose a different character if you wish), you start off right where you died. And since continues are unlimited, anyone can finish the game their first time through.

 

[Fatghost]

Thats a big factor for some people, the chances of this working on the Xbox 360 are near 0 IMO. If you a person who wants to keep this game for a long time and be able to play it, PS2 version wins hands down.

That's why I chose the PS2 version of MS4+5, (along with the PS2 version of KOF2002+2003).

 

[VALIS]

Thats a big factor for some people, the chances of this working on the Xbox 360 are near 0 IMO. If you a person who wants to keep this game for a long time and be able to play it, PS2 version wins hands down.

Out of curiosity, what are you gonna do if your many, many predicitons of disaster for the 360 backwards compatibility turn out not to be true? I say the penalty is shaving your head and eyebrows. Yes.

 

[HomerSimpson-Man]

At first the Xbox version seemed like a sure bet, but the BC issue brought up really through me for a loop. I hope the 360 BC turns out alright and not the confusing mess it all seems right now.

 

[Daigoro]

damn. whats with the borders on the xbox version? hm...

At first the Xbox version seemed like a sure bet, but the BC issue brought up really through me for a loop. I hope the 360 BC turns out alright and not the confusing mess it all seems right now.

agreed.

 

[DDayton]

Silly question -- wasn't this planned for a release on the GC as well, at one point in time? I thought I remember hearing that a year ago or so.

 

[Leguna]

Kumiko Nikaido
Cool, thanks man. That was very nice of you to do. Your post is very well put together, like it!

 

[jarrod]

Silly question -- wasn't this planned for a release on the GC as well, at one point in time? I thought I remember hearing that a year ago or so.

Metal Slug 4 for GC popped up on Famitsu's release list, but was quickly removed. It was probably just an error, though with games like Viewtiful Joe and Alien Hominid doing well on GameCube I think Metal Slug would find a decent market too.

 

[HCgamer]

PS2 version sounds better because part 4 does not have black borders.

 

[Nikashi]

Why do people automatically assume that if a game isn't super popular, it's impossible to emulate it? What if it's emulated out of the box because of the simplicity, rather than the popularity?

 

[Raistlin]

For one, Microsoft implied popularity IS the criteria.


Regarldess, I'be be surprised if a 2d sprite-based game is 'simple' to emulate, if only for their are so few games of its type on X-box. Why would they waste time writing libraries to handle something that would only be usuable in a few games?