Definitive ports of the Metal Slug games?

[dmike]

Sure the Wii version doesn't have any lag? That was the whole problem in Game Grumps: Metal Slug X.

No, I'm not sure whether the Wii version has lag or not. Having played it, I didn't notice anything significant.

On the PS2 however, the input lag was so bad it was uplayable. This was not due to HDTV lag either as I was playing on CRT.

If one is serious about Metal Slug, the absolute best way for the money is to go CMVS and buy the carts. They aren't that expensive (as far as NG carts go mind you).

Playing on the CMVS and on my cab means playing it on any other platform for me is futile. But if I had to pick the best platform other than a real Neo Geo, it'd have to be the PSP. The PS2 would be my last choice, and as a matter of fact would make me not want to play any of the games at all.

[dsheinem]

But if I had to pick the best platform other than a real Neo Geo, it'd have to be the PSP. The PS2 would be my last choice, and as a matter of fact would make me not want to play any of the games at all.

This is the first I've heard the PSP version cited as better than others.

Are you comparing NTSC ports or PAL ports? I think the lag on the PAL Anthology is much, much worse from all I've read whereas on the NTSC it isn't so bad.

[dmike]

Talking strictly NTSC here.

I'm only citing the PSP as the other ports are so bad. I remember running through X on the PSP and can't remember any complaints, other than well, it's on a small screen. I wonder how component out to CRT would look though.

[Krejlooc]

If you're going with the PSP, PS2, or Wii collections, you're just using emulation, in which case a PC connected to a TV would be an even better option. The other conversions are actually ports, of which I'd say the Saturn is the best. But the above poster is correct - the actual Neo Geo versions are the definitive ones.

[CD AGES]

I thought the GBA port of Metal Slug was unreleased.

That is correct. A port of Metal Slug was slated be released for the GBA handheld. It was quietly cancelled at some point. SNKP did release MS Advance though, an original release in the metal slug series.

[BitFaced]

were there later revisions of Metal Slug Anthology on the ps2? Because I dont notice any input lag in mine, my only complaint is there seems to be no way to turn on the red blood. Having the enemies burst into clouds of semen kind of ruins it for me.

Oh yeah that's another thing we have to bring up; blood and non-blood versions?

If one is serious about Metal Slug, the absolute best way for the money is to go CMVS and buy the carts. They aren't that expensive (as far as NG carts go mind you).

Playing on the CMVS and on my cab means playing it on any other platform for me is futile. But if I had to pick the best platform other than a real Neo Geo, it'd have to be the PSP. The PS2 would be my last choice, and as a matter of fact would make me not want to play any of the games at all.

I don't know, that would mean paying £395 on a new system and £30-£50 per game when I could just get very cheap copies for Saturn, PS1, PS2, Xbox & Wii. But thanks for the suggestion. I could very well go along with it if the console wasn't so expensive. But hey, it's arcade hardware, so what do you expect...

[dsheinem]

Ok, so for shits and giggles I recorded video of Metal Slug and Metal Slug X on the PSP, PS2, and MAME to see what lag there is to be found. They all look about the same to me, and none of them feel better/worse in any noticeable way. There IS some input lag, but the fact that it is the same in each makes me think that perhaps this is designed lag also present in the MVS/AES? Is there something I am missing?

PS2:
Metal Slug -
Metal Slug X -

PSP:
Metal Slug -
Metal Slug X -

MAME:
Metal Slug -
Metal Slug X -

apologies for the somewhat shaky cam/one handed playing

[dmike]

There is absolutely no lag in the MVS/AES versions.

The PS2 lag really comes into play when you're trying to make jumps/shots/duck when the crap hits the fan. For me, used to the arcade, it's unplayable.

I personally have no lag on the PSP, and on MAME I had lag due to my setup which was easily corrected.

[dsheinem]

There is absolutely no lag in the MVS/AES versions.

The PS2 lag really comes into play when you're trying to make jumps/shots/duck when the crap hits the fan. For me, used to the arcade, it's unplayable.

I personally have no lag on the PSP, and on MAME I had lag due to my setup which was easily corrected.

Any chance you could make a comparison video as well? I would really like to see the difference so I know what I am missing, especially if it is as great a difference as you are suggesting.

[foxhound1022]

I disagree. There is/was lag when I played MS games in the arcade back when they were new. Just as there is if you played them now. I believe the lag is a simple recreation of what would have been experienced on the original port.

I actually believe there is less lag on the Wii version due to them possibly being ports emulated on better hardware.