Apparently, and sorry for this mods, i got errors showing my thread did not go through and all of them did, so it may look like i am spamming new topics. So because of these threads showing out o nowhere this will be my last one since i wanted to post this. So sorry about that, errors blocked me from seeing my threads going through. NOW THIS thread is very important, the 2 most famous 2D third-person shooters of all time, METAL SLUG and CONTRA. Contra and Metal Slug are two of the longest running 2D TPS series in video games, and have had a lot of games each. Appearing on systems like the Neo-Geo, NES, Playstation, Xbox, Gameboy Advance, Neo-Geo Pocket, PSP an more. Personally for me? I would have to choose the Metal Slug series, and this is mostly because the games feel much more of an adventure. Metal Slug is more of a progressive story, and the enemies have human like personalities as well, and some interesting voice acting in some cases. Very well done animation as well. More difficult then cheap, large assortment of weapons and vehicles. Great A.I. Partners and in depth backgrounds. it just fels like a more all around package and the Sequels seem more like Sequels. This more plot focused game may be why the majority of metal Slug games are the numbered sequels while with the Contra series most of the games seem to be Spin-offs. Contra is good as well, but seems to be filled with more cheapness and because of this less of a skill curve. A few of the games focus more on 2-player play than one player play, and those can hamper single-player interest. A lot of the weapons and sounds are similar, and the art style does not leave much to detail and instead cover that with swarms of enemies and unpredictable deaths that come out every corner. Although the game does have a more darker theme to it. The lack of real connections with the plot, and the fact there are just a lot of spin-offs in the franchise in which they just slapped contra on the name delutes the brand to me. There isn't much variation, and until the 3D and 2.5D games, the series never seemed to feature great advancement in graphics, animation, and in-game content. That is to say IMO the 3D Contra games good or not, lack responsiveness, feel clunky, and seem a tad slow. As well as bad hit accuracy. Contra 4 was a nice refresher for the series though.
Being the SNK fanboy I am, I'm going with Metal Slug. I just feel like there's way more to blow up and shoot, which is always a plus with those types of games. I love the Contra series too, but Metal Slug will always hold a special place in my heart :)
Contra. As good as all the Metal Slug games are, none of them are as good as the original Contra on NES, IMO. That game alone clinches it for Contra, for me.
Metal Slug. I played Contra 3 first as a kid but it never caught me like Metal Slug did. I still have my Contra 3 but its the only one I found to be worth keeping. I have the Metal Slug Anthology for the PS2 and the PSP.
My first experience with the Contra series came years before my first experience with the Metal Slug series, I prefer Contra. Contra games have had changing styles while keeping the core gameplay through the years. Just comparing the first NES game to Contra III: The Alien Wars, to Contra Hard Corps, to Neo Contra and Shattered Soldier, to Contra 4, and recently the Wii Rebirth - all seem to have their own style. With Metal Slug, however, it would be very difficult for me to distinguish one game from another in the series based on random screenshots. In other words, to me every Metal Slug game is too similar. Kinda like all the King of Fighters 2D games. All that said, I do enjoy many of the games from both series, and strongly prefer the original NES Contra/Probotector over the arcade version. Lastly, while Hard Corps: Uprising is considered a "Contra", to me it's more like a Metal Slug.
I definitely have alot more experience with the Contra franchise and have alot more nostalgia for it. Buuuuuut, I got to give it to Metal Slug. I've only played a few hours of a couple but it was evident that it was a far superior franchise.
I really need to pick up that Metal Slug Anthology for the PS3.
I can't speak for the entirety of either franchise as I haven't played most of the games, but I can say, oddly enough, Neo Contra holds the most personal value for me. Purchased it brand new for $7 at K-Mart and my friend and I played it far more than a game of its caliber deserved. We even got some mileage out of the ridiculous one-liners such as, "TRANSFORM INTO TITAN!".
Personally I think comparing these two styles of gameplay as one or the other is kind of an unfair question. Sure, you shoot things and they scroll to the side.... Other then that though they are about as different as they could possibly be (in most cases). Of course my vote goes for the deeper series being Contra overall, but Metal Slug has had some great games. One problem with metal slug games however is the fact that most of them are so repetive that no matter how good the gameplay, it starts to get stale after about 3 or 4 games.... I would also say that metal slug is more of an over the top arcade side scroller where as most the contra games are a little more tactical in terms of approach. Long live both series, but if one had to go down in flames, then let Contra be standing when the dust clears!
I definitely have alot more experience with the Contra franchise and have alot more nostalgia for it. Buuuuuut, I got to give it to Metal Slug. I've only played a few hours of a couple but it was evident that it was a far superior franchise.
I really need to pick up that Metal Slug Anthology for the PS3.
Boddicker
You mean PS2? It was also released on the Wii and PSP.
Gonna have to say Contra for the nostalgia value alone. Boy that takes me back to the good old days.
BlendThree
Yup, I know what you mean, I remember playing two player with my past friend, some reason we never actually got bored of the game. We should of tried without the contra code.
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