We have a deep compassion for 2D shooting games. Don't get us wrong, we're anticipating the likes of Halo 2 and Chronicles of Riddick with baited breath, but there's something about the old school flavor of Contra that really makes us feel dedicated, pitting one character with unlimited firepower and platforming abilities against a merciless army of soldiers and alien hybrids. When Contra faded out into 3D territory on the PlayStation, we feared that all we would have to turn to are some of the older games in the series.

However, SNK came along and debuted Metal Slug, a game that takes some of the old Contra-esque play elements and pits them into a new 2D animated universe, along with some unique attack vehicles and a heaping new level of challenge. This game was a delight, and has since breeded a number of sequels, including the latest addition, Metal Slug 5, which is rightfully kicking our ass every time we play it in the arcade. Now, SNK revisits one of the best chapters in the series, as they release Metal Slug 3 for Xbox.

The game allows you to choose from four different character and then pits you on a number of missions where you must take on enemy soldiers, zombies, aliens, mutated animals, and other varied enemies as you try to stop an evil general from taking over the world with his twisted creations. Along the way, you can rescue a number of hostages, who reward you with bonus points, food, or weapons, like a Heavy Machine Gun that unloads rapid fire bullets or a flame thrower that leaves you enemy engulfed in fire. You also have access to bombs that you can throw to cause even bigger damage, and, along the way, you can access a number of "Slug" vehicles to help you out, like helicopters, submarines, camels (yup, camels), elephants, and a walking Slug-Bot that has twin cannons.

Metal Slug 3 was great on the Neo Geo, and it's even better on the Xbox, thanks to the removal of the game's slowdown. With the increased speed, you maintain full control of the action and can run and gun with the best of 'em, dodging bullets and enemies while trying to destroy everything in your path. This is old school gameplay that's been refocused, and rather nicely. The game features some excellent 2D art, from the level design (which smartly includes branching paths, all leading to the same boss at the end of the level) to the animation. Watching your character drag their legs in "zombie mode" is sweet, along with some of the soldier reactions.

Zombie mode is one of the unique aspects of Metal Slug 3 which unfolds in level 2, where you can die upon being hit by a zombie or a soldier. However, you become resurrected by a lightning bolt and find yourself still controllable, although a bit slower. You can still fire bullets and withstand human enemy attacks, and even unleash a vomitous attack that destroys all in your path. However, when you die, it's much more graphic, so be sure to keep an eye open for a Human conversion health pack.

In fact, you'll need all the help you can get with Metal Slug 3, if your skills aren't up to snuff. This game has the difficulty cranked to "11", even in the game's lightest difficulty mode. SNK also made an adjustment to the home version where, if you die and continue, you don't restart at the very point where your demise was met, but rather at the very beginning of the level. This may frustrate some, and that's understandable, as the game's levels, particularly the final mission, are brutal to venture through. However, we respect the decision, only because it really adds to the challenge of the game. If you can continue from that particular point, the game would be much easier to conquer, and valuable replayability would be lost. Granted, one of our controllers wouldn't be lying in pieces on the floor from frustration, but like Ninja Gaiden, this game unloads a challenge that rewards you greatly for conquering it.

The game does have some unlockable goodies to attain if you manage to hang in there enough to defeat it. Along with being able to select any arcade mission, you also get access to two new playable missions. The first is Fat Island, a fun as hell mini game where you take on enemies in "fat mode". You basically get "fat" by eating too many of the food items left behind by soldiers, changing your character into a cow of a soldier. In this mode, you remain "fat" while tearing apart enemies. The other is Storming the Mother Ship, an all new mission that's definitely up to snuff with the previous missions.

Metal Slug 3 also utilizes Xbox Live, but never really enough to consider it helpful use. The game mainly works on a Scoreboard level, where you can download your high scores and see where everyone else lies, and it's kind of cool, but the functionality isn't the smoothest and some particular parts aren't that easy to access. It would've been nice if SNK had thrown in some compatibility to play in 2-player co-op via Xbox Live, instead of just in regular mode. This would've helped greatly to those who don't like to journey alone but don't exactly have a social life to back them up. Perhaps Metal Slug 4 and 5 will offer this.

Another shortcoming is the soundtrack. Some of the soundtrack elements are very good, like some war-inspired tunes that play in the background (love the boss tune), and the voicework and sound effects are spot on. However, some of the tunes are rather flat and don't really belong in the game. It would've been sweet to have customizable soundtracks available, so you could kick some ass to Ludacris or Disturbed. Just a suggestion for next time.

Metal Slug 3 is hard. It's a bit outdated in comparison to the newest chapters. And it doesn't really look like a next-generation Xbox title. However, we can't help but recommend it because it just kicks so much ass. The gameplay is classic, the presentation is smoothed over and lots of fun, the bonus goodies are joyous and the challenge level is immense, something you don't see in too many games anymore. Newcomers to the series may want to prep themselves for the war that lies ahead, but those familiar with the series or eager to gnaw on great difficulty will find Metal Slug 3 a worthy addition to their library.