You would be forgiven for checking what year it is after playing Metal Slug 7, a 2D scrolling shooter that could have been released at any time within the past decade.  That isn’t a good sign normally, but this series wears its throwback status like a medal of honour while delivering the same crazy action now as it did at the start of the series in the dim and distant 90’s. 

You blast your way through insane amounts of enemy troops while freeing POW’s who hold weapons power-ups. With its endless stream of bullets and quirky sense of humour it can’t fail to satisfy anyone’s desire for explosion filled, blood spattering, drop-kick-a-baby-seal fun and action !!!

With a hugely successful series such as this it does seem a little strange that they have brought it straight to Nintendo DS shedding any kind of arcade release in  favour of  a pocket début.  A couple of things seem to be missing from this, such as the ability to join with a buddy to blast your way through the level. 

Some kind of local or Wi-fi support for co-op could have been included , even if the inclusion of another commando on the small screen with you might have been a little confusing at some point.  Along with  the MIA co -op, the game doesn’t seem to take advantage of any DS control features. During the levels, the top  screen displays the action and the bottom screen shows a map that you can scroll around with the stylus, although I am not too sure what the point of doing that is. In menus, the bottom screen often isn’t used at all, with a place holder brick wall graphic filling the space.  If you are after a game that shows off the attributes and unique features that the DS has to offer, look elsewhere.