I <3 Metal Head!!

[Zadoc]

Metal Head

Released: May 2, 1995
Platform: 32X
Publisher: SEGA
Developer: SEGA
Genre: Action

ESRB: http://www.consolecity.com/images/esrb/KA.gif



Over twelve years ago, one of the 32X launch games that I fell for as a kid was Metal Head. It’s a 3D Mech game that features both polygons and sprites to comprise the 3D world in which it’s set. My local Blockbuster kept only one rack of 32X games on the shelf, and this was one of them. I remember renting it numerous times and playing at my house and with friends. Everyone always enjoyed it.

As a teenager, I found a lose copy of the game for less than a dollar in a local pawn show. Later on, I bought a complete and sealed copy off of eBay for only a little more.

It seems that Metal Head has a really bad rep. Every online review that I have ever read trashes the game, and I don’t feel that it deserves it.

The graphics are texture mapped polygons and are impressive. A big complaint is the draw distance, but this is an issue with any 3D console game in 1995. This issue is also resolved with the existence of a detailed map in the corner of the screen.

Every review says the game is too s-l-o-w. Well, it is a Mech game; what do you expect? However, simply using the run button allows your mech to speed at along at the pace of an average First Person Shooter.

Truth be told, Metal Head is a mech game that is designed for the casual gamer. Its missions have clear objectives and steadily increase in difficulty. The mech is customizable, but not too customizable. It can be easily equipped with a player’s weapons of choice and refitted after every mission. It’s not so in-depth that most gamers would be lost in a world of unwanted micromanagement.

Metal Head is also fun. The application of skill and wit can overcome any situation faced in the game, which is a relief, because with many games in the genre who has the better gun is the only factor that determines life or death.

Unlike many more modern mech games, control is precise and accurate, thanks to the FPS style control scheme that has been proven in games such as Duke Nukem 3D. Finally, the soundtrack is nothing that I am about to jam to in my car, but the energetic music certainly helps to fuel the atmosphere and drive the action and intensity.

So, here we have a game that is fun, with good graphics, excellent controls, a decent sound track, and a learning curve that is appropriate for gamers of all types who come from all backgrounds.

What I see here is a great app that undeservingly got a bad rap. Next time you fire up your 32X, give Metal Head another chance. Play through the game. You won’t be sorry that you did. Don’t own it? Not a problem. Metal Head is an extremely common 32X game and can be found new and sealed on eBay for less than five bucks. Go on, what are you waiting for?

Screens:

http://media.vgarchive.org/screens/000016820.jpghttp://media.vgarchive.org/screens/000016821.jpg
http://media.vgarchive.org/screens/000016822.jpghttp://media.vgarchive.org/screens/000016823.jpg
http://media.vgarchive.org/screens/000016824.jpg

Box Front:

http://media.vgarchive.org/boxart/3542.jpg

Box Back:

http://www.consolecity.com/boxart/back/3542.jpg

[kedawa]

This was one of the first 32X games I ever bought, and one of the few that I actually played all the way through. I enjoyed it back then, but to be honest, I was somewhat disappointed with the game from both a technical and gameplay perspective. The draw distance and framerate are poor, but tolerable. What really bothered me was the games pace and length, and also the limited number of enemies. It wasn't a terrible game, but it didn't live up to the previews I'd seen in magazines before buying it, and iirc, even the screenshots on the box were doctored a bit.

[mailman187666]

I also loved Metal Head and many other 32X games available. I bought my copy when they were still available at retail. Fun game and pretty good visuals for 32x at the time.

[theshizzle3000]

It looks like a pretty fun game, save for the fact the one dude looks like Richard Hatch from Survivor.

[Kevincal]

I was a big fan of Iron Soldier on the Jag, so when I heard about Metal Head, I was pretty excited. I never did get the game though, as I sold my 32X. I'll have to pick it up one of these days. Nice write up and images btw.

[Zadoc]

iirc, even the screenshots on the box were doctored a bit.

Look at the box shots and look at the ones I posted. If anything, maybe the ones on the box are at a higher resolution, but that's it.


It looks like a pretty fun game, save for the fact the one dude looks like Richard Hatch from Survivor.

LOL - There's another mode in the game so that you can make all of the digitized people in the game into anime characters.


Nice write up and images btw.

Thanks, I appreciate it, but I can't take credit for the images.

[Rabid Peanut-Butter]

I thought the game was a lot of fun, except for the horrible voice acting.

[Pantechnicon]

I've seen a couple copies of this around and thought about picking it up. If it's comparable in anyway to Iron Soldier for the Jag then I'm probably inrerested. Thanks for the tip.

[bangtango]

I've seen a couple copies of this around and thought about picking it up. If it's comparable in anyway to Iron Soldier for the Jag then I'm probably inrerested. Thanks for the tip.

It differs from Iron Soldier just a little. These are based on my experiences.

1. Less stuff (enemies) to shoot at.

2. It is harder to track your enemies in a mission than in Iron Soldier.

3. A timer that counts down, meaning you can't fool around and actually have to finish up missions in a timely fashion.

4. You can't just destroy anything in your path, meaning your mech doesn't blow up buildings, etc. There is scenery that can't be damaged, as opposed to Iron Soldier in which just about anything you stepped on or shot could be damaged.

With that said, Zadoc makes a good point. Metal Head is a fun game. I've played it a couple of times this past month, even before reading this thread.

Having played both games, you may like Iron Soldier better but I'd recommend picking up Metal Head and giving it a try.

[Zadoc]

3. A timer that counts down, meaning you can't fool around and actually have to finish up missions in a timely fashion.



There are only one or two levels where the mission is timed.

[bangtango]

There are only one or two levels where the mission is timed.

*Gulp* Consider the culprit educated and also somebody who wasn't "good enough" to make it to some of the later stages of Metal Head. Or he did and he wasn't paying attention to whether or not there was a timer :)

[Zadoc]

No biggie. :)

Racing a clock really takes a lot out of a gaming experience for me. It's the number two thing I hated about Super Mario Bros.

[c0ldb33r]

I always enjoyed Metal Head as well. I never understood all the bad reviews either. It's not perfect, but it's still better than a lot of the crap that makes it into stores. And unlike a lot of 32x games, I actually get the impression the Genesis couldn't have run this game alone, it actually takes advantage of the 32x hardware.

Looking at the images you posted - what's with the cheesy checkered transparency when the people are speaking? They had enough colours they could have made actual transparencies.

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

I don't think the 32X could do transparency; at least not in hardware. If you play 32X games on an RGB monitor, you'll see that checkered crap all the time. Same for the Saturn.


...word is bondage...

[The Plucky Little Ninja]

This is the kind of stuff I love to see on DP. Just someone shouting out their love for an overlooked or underappreciated game and a couple of people backing them up or telling 'em they're full of sh!t.

Nice write-up Zadoc. One of these days I need to pick up a 32x to complete my Genny/CD tower of power.

[Steve W]

I bought Metal Head because I had hoped it would be like Iron Soldier, but it wasn't close. And the graphics are good, it's just they don't convey a mech's size in the same way the graphics in Iron Soldier did. Plus, I could never play that far into Metal Head before the game would freeze due to the unstable nature of the 32X.

[Zadoc]

Wow... I own all but two of the US released 32X games and have never once had a game freeze. The again, I have never had my Genesis freeze up on me before either.

[Steve W]

I've had every single 32X game freeze on me at some point. Some games, like Shadow Squadron, would freeze so often that it was pretty much unplayable. That's on two different 32X units on two different model Genesis units. It could be that I'm just cursed or something. I've always suspected that I live above an ancient Indian burial ground.....

[Zadoc]

I've had every single 32X game freeze on me at some point. Some games, like Shadow Squadron, would freeze so often that it was pretty much unplayable. That's on two different 32X units on two different model Genesis units. It could be that I'm just cursed or something. I've always suspected that I live above an ancient Indian burial ground.....

I have a 32X that was refurbished by Sega and a model 1 Genesis.

[c0ldb33r]

This Zadoc guy sure was an asshole, huh? Aren\'t you glad that Joe banned him for standing up for himself against Lady Jaye?
Wha? did I miss something in this thread?

[Kroogah]

Wha? did I miss something in this thread?

Nope, Zadoc just got banned and used a lurking account to pitch a bitchfit!

[c0ldb33r]

Oh okay - thanks :)