Gameplay and design
The core gameplay of Metal Slug - 1st Mission is side-scrolling shooting, where players control a character advancing through levels, using guns and grenades to fight enemy soldiers and vehicles. This run-and-gun style was already well-established in the arcade series, but this game does not simply copy it; instead, it was redesigned for the handheld's controls and hardware. While the graphics are simplified, the feel of movement, jumping, and shooting retains the series' signature satisfaction, delivering intense combat on a small screen.
One of the game's most distinctive design choices is how grenades are thrown. In the arcade versions, grenades typically have a dedicated button, but due to the limited buttons on the handheld, this game uses a mechanism where you press the option button to switch weapons, then press the fire button to throw. This mechanic may take some getting used to at first, but it reflects the developers' ingenuity in finding solutions under hardware constraints. Interestingly, this control scheme was improved in the sequel, Second Mission, showing that the developers themselves recognized it wasn't optimal.
To increase replay value, the game unlocks another playable character after clearing it once. This new character is not just a palette swap but has different performance traits, offering a fresh experience on a second playthrough. This design was uncommon in handheld games at the time, encouraging repeated challenges and showing the team's focus on longevity. For players who enjoy mastering games, playing through with different characters adds to the fun.
The game offers five difficulty levels, ranging from Child to Very Hard, catering to players of all skill levels. Child and Easy are suitable for newcomers to shooters, while Hard and Very Hard satisfy hardcore players seeking a challenge. This multi-tiered difficulty makes the game both a casual pastime and a serious challenge, and it's especially convenient on a handheld where you can adjust anytime.
Beyond basic shooting and grenades, the game includes classic elements of side-scrolling combat, such as enemy vehicles and large bosses. Although limited by the handheld's performance, these scenes cannot match the scale of the arcade versions, but they still retain the series' signature tension and humor. Players must use jumping and shooting flexibly to dodge enemy attacks and find opportunities to counter. This pure gameplay design ensures the game remains enjoyable even years later.
Background and release
Metal Slug - 1st Mission was released in Japan in 1999 for SNK's handheld, the Neo Geo Pocket Color. This handheld was marketed for its color screen and portability, but its performance was vastly inferior to arcade machines. Therefore, this game is not a port of the first arcade game but an original work developed by Ukiyotei and published by SNK, specifically tailored for the handheld. It inherits the core gameplay of the Metal Slug series but significantly adjusts content and design to fit the handheld's hardware.
The game reached European markets in 2000, allowing more players to experience Metal Slug on a handheld. Although the Neo Geo Pocket Color's influence in the West was less than Nintendo's Game Boy, SNK actively promoted the handheld and released several original games for it. As the first Metal Slug game on a handheld, this title carried the mission of expanding the series' audience and laid the groundwork for future handheld entries.
In the history of the Metal Slug series, this game holds a special place. It is neither a simple port of the arcade version nor a direct sequel, but an independent mission-based work. This positioning makes it somewhat unconventional within the series, but precisely because of that, it was able to break free from the arcade versions' constraints and develop its own characteristics in level design and gameplay. For series fans, it offers a unique opportunity to enjoy Metal Slug on a handheld.
From a chronological perspective, the game was released in 1999, during the early lifecycle of the Neo Geo Pocket Color. SNK was striving to build a game library for the handheld, and Metal Slug, as one of the company's flagship series, was naturally expected to perform well. The release of this game not only enriched the handheld's library but also demonstrated SNK's ambitions in the handheld market. Although the Neo Geo Pocket Color later did not achieve massive commercial success, this game is remembered by many players as one of its representative titles.
It is worth noting that this game was released around the same time as the arcade Metal Slug 2, but they are completely different works. This game is not a port or adaptation of Metal Slug 2 but an independently developed handheld game. This distinction is crucial for understanding its historical position, as it means the game's design decisions were not directly inherited from the arcade version but were an independent exploration based on handheld characteristics. This independence gives the game unique value within the series.
Development
Metal Slug - 1st Mission was developed by Ukiyotei, a studio that had worked on several SNK handheld games and was familiar with the Neo Geo Pocket Color's hardware. The primary challenge for the development team was to recreate the fast-paced gameplay of the Metal Slug series within limited performance. The arcade versions had rich graphical detail, but the handheld had a low-resolution screen and weak processing power, so they had to significantly simplify the graphics while ensuring smooth gameplay.
In terms of controls, the team had to address the issue of insufficient buttons on the handheld. The Neo Geo Pocket Color had only two action buttons, while the arcade versions required simultaneous control of shooting, jumping, and grenades. To resolve this, they adopted a switching mechanism: players press the option button to select grenades, then press the fire button to throw. This design added an extra step but was a reasonable compromise at the time. However, this mechanic was modified in the sequel, indicating that the team recognized its inconvenience.
The mission-based design was another important decision during development. Unlike the linear levels of the arcade versions, this game is divided into multiple missions, each with its own setting and objectives. This design suited the handheld's portability, allowing players to pause anytime without worrying about losing progress. Additionally, the mission structure allowed for more flexible level design, enabling unique gameplay for different scenarios and increasing variety.
The team also focused on replayability. Unlocking a new character after clearing the game was one measure to extend the game's lifespan. Furthermore, the five difficulty levels reflected their consideration for different player groups. These design ideas were uncommon in handheld games at the time, showing the team's effort to innovate and maintain quality under constraints.
Although detailed information about the development process is scarce, the final product shows that the team made many smart trade-offs under hardware limitations. They preserved the core appeal of the Metal Slug series—satisfying shooting and humorous style—while optimizing for the handheld. This spirit of finding breakthroughs within limitations is a common trait of many classic handheld games, and it makes this game still worth revisiting years later.
Reception and legacy
Metal Slug - 1st Mission received positive reviews from players and critics upon release, especially among Neo Geo Pocket Color owners, who considered it one of the best action games on the handheld. Although sales were limited by the handheld's popularity compared to arcade versions, it left a strong impression on series fans. Many players felt that the game successfully captured the essence of Metal Slug on a handheld, despite reduced graphics and scale, with gameplay remaining excellent.
The game's unique position in the series makes it an important work for studying the evolution of Metal Slug. It showcases SNK's foray into handheld gaming and reflects the creativity of developers under hardware constraints. The grenade-switching mechanic, which was changed in the sequel, is often discussed by players as an interesting case of design evolution. For game historians, this game is a typical example of how handheld games adapted and transformed arcade gameplay.
In 2021, the game was re-released alongside its sequel, Metal Slug: 2nd Mission, as a compilation titled Metal Slug 1st & 2nd Mission Double Pack for the Nintendo Switch. This re-release allowed a new generation of players to experience this classic handheld game, ensuring its preservation and transmission. For old players, it was a chance to relive memories; for new players, it was an opportunity to discover a classic.
The same year, the game was also included in Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection Vol. 1, released for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam. This compilation series aims to bring classic Neo Geo Pocket Color games to modern platforms, and the inclusion of this game proves its significance in handheld gaming history. Through this, the game has transcended hardware generations and continues to exert its influence.
Overall, Metal Slug - 1st Mission, as an original handheld work, holds irreplaceable value within the series. It is not only the first Metal Slug game on a handheld but also one of the representative titles for the Neo Geo Pocket Color. The 2021 re-release is both a tribute to the classic and a contribution to game preservation, allowing this excellent work to be known and loved by more players.
