My MVS collection so far... (now complete??)

ChrisBEANS · Oct 30, 2020

So, one thing about my collection might come across as ridiculous, but if I explain first, it should start to make some sense...

I'm currently collecting for the MVS, but quite specifically the Metal Slug series.

I've recently gotten pretty heavily into Metal Slug series after I started streaming retro games, and got immediately hooked on MS1.

So, after I beat it, and had fallen in love with the game play, the art style, and the scale and fun of the bonkers bosses, I decided I wanted to 1cc it...

I did that, but I hadn't had enough, so I practiced until I could no death it... but I hadn't had enough so I precticed until I could eventually 1cc it on hardest (level 8) difficulty.

Then, I'd absolutely had enough

I won't be trying a 1cc on hardest difficulty ever again, it was such a grind, but I still wanted more and so I started on MS2.

Eventually I 1cc'd that too.

I'm currently working on X (which is WAY tougher than 2, and anyone who says they're basically the same isn't paying attention!!).

Anyway, in playing these games, I found various ports on various platforms and found that they all played very slightly differently, and had varying degrees of difficulty.

Eventually, I established that the 'ACA' versions (about £6 on the Microsoft Store) were the most 'authentic' to play.

This brought me to the fact that the only truly authentic way to play, is with OG carts on OG hardware, and so my collection began.

It started with needing real arcade controls, so I modified my Qanba Q4RAF:-

It has a Sanwa JLF, modified with a an oversized actuator to shorten the activation distance, a 4lb spring to stiffen the feel, an aluminium shaft cover and dust washer, and a nice heavy aluminium bat top. Feels great!
Crappy custom artwork I knocked up on PhotoPea, and screw in Seimitsu buttons. (I have ordered some GamerFinger buttons, but that was a month ago and I'm yet to see them)

Then I needed games, of course...

I have managed to scoop up Metal Slug 1, 2, X, 3, and 4...

All are original carts and authentic boards, but some most were in poor condition. Those that were I've put into new shells with replacement labels.?

For example:-

Metal Slug 2 is actually pretty interesting.

It's an original cartridge, however, it's been socketed. So the original ROM chip has been desoldered, and replaced with a socket. The original chip remains with the cart, and also with the cart is a very slightly modified ROM chip that eliminates the much lamented slowdown of Metal Slug 2.

You can simply insert either chip, and play as you wish. (I've got the OG chip in there, I think the slow down is part of MS2)

Metal Slug 4 however is immaculate, and came as a full kit:-

(had to open it up very slightly, just to be sure it was an authentic cart)

That obviously was not re-shelled.

(all orginal shells, boxes and labels are obviously kept and preserved)

Next up, to keep them all pristine, I needed some shock boxes...

Oh, and I've also grabbed Neo Turf Masters, and a NeoSD Pro.

The box for the NeoSD Pro infuriatingly has the label facing the wrong way!! But never fear, I'd already grabbed a shock box for that too.

So what's left to get for the collections??

Well, I'd really like an original and authentic copy of MS5 to complete it.

Oh, and that leads me to the ridiculous thing I mentioned in the first line of this post... I need hardware to play them on!!!

Yep, I've spent a small fortune and don't actually have an MVS!!

I have one coming... or at least, I've arranged to have one coming. A pal of mine is going to consolise one, and hopefully I'll have it by the end of the year, but in the mean time all I can do is look at all the stuff I've picked up

While I'm new to this world, I know that this is a subject people feel passionate about. I've only bought games I actually want, I'm not collecting for the sake of collecting. I won't be sellin them on for profit. They're not just a thing to display on a shelf, I will actually be playing them and making real use of them. In fact, I don't suppose there are many people who have 1cc'd every one in the MVS series, and that's my goal...

I hope you've enjoyed having a butchers. I can't wait to update you with the hardware when I get it, and if you have an authentic copy of MS5 burning a hole in your pocket, have a look at this thread

http://www.ukvac.com/forum/metal-slug-5-mvs_topic379742_page1.ht

ChrisBEANS2021-03-20 09:25:43

neo-geo-mvs · Oct 30, 2020

Nice nice. I prefer the original carts and labels. All in good condition imo.

At least you're storing them rather than chucking out.

Can you link to your 1cc please? Crazy skills

I've played 1 and X to death and am no where near 1cc'ing them.

ChrisBEANS · Oct 30, 2020

I'm happy to link to them... but I swear a lot, so is that permitted here?

yoganuggy · Oct 30, 2020

How on earth do you beat the final boss in MS1 without using credits? I can get that far on 1 credit but no chance on the boss himself. Great game. Loved finding all the hidden POWs and the power of the shotgun

ChrisBEANS · Oct 30, 2020

I've skimmed through, I don't think I actually swear in this one...

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/652901859

That's the no death at normal (level 4) difficulty.

I'm positive that I swear in the Level 8 1cc... That was such a brutal grind.

The final boss in 2 is much harder to beat on a credit... and I can't even make it to the final boss on X without continues yet.

I know it's the same boss as 2, but it plays MUCH harder too

mozie · Oct 30, 2020

Swearing is promoted so feel free to share

ChrisBEANS · Oct 30, 2020

mozie said:
Swearing is promoted so feel free to share

Well in that case, here's the MS2 1cc... It's quite a fun video, but it gets VERY sweary at the end!!

Edit: I forgot to actually post the link!!

https://www.twitch.tv/videos/747400679

ChrisBEANS2020-10-30 21:32:16

neo-geo-mvs · Oct 30, 2020

Even some slim shady in the commentary too

I usually go gun blazing jumping all over the place

I don't play very carefully anymore

Would be a good challenge sometime to see if I can 1cc playing carefully.

Can you 1cc X?

ChrisBEANS · Oct 30, 2020

neo-geo-mvs said:
Even some slim shady in the commentary too

I usually go gun blazing jumping all over the place

I don't play very carefully anymore

Would be a good challenge sometime to see if I can 1cc playing carefully.

Can you 1cc X?

Not yet I can't, but that's next... I haven't even seen MS3 played, because a lot of people say it's the best, so I'd like to play it blind the first time around.

There are all on PC so far, so I'll have to start again once I actually get the MVS!

mozie · Oct 30, 2020

I'am the same dont have the patience for playing carefully anymore

Thats an impressive run through though, almost makes me want to sell you my mgs5 cart 'almost' .. well done that quite an achievement and great video, thanks for sharing

steling1 · Oct 31, 2020

Had all the metal slugs for years bar the elusive #5, took ages to find one that wasnt crazy money outside of ebay...

I finally got it a couple of years ago on here when i posted a wanted ad, it was something like 200euros delivered to UK, I remember well that somone commented on the wanted thread like "200 euros wow", as if I paid too much even, it was pretty decent at the time in reality but they seem to go for a lot more now...

Keep looking and be patient im sure one will turn up like it did for me....

Also there is always the bulk "sellers" on here that seem to now ask for 200% of what is even the ebay prices lol....

steling12020-10-31 00:34:01

Flinnster · Oct 31, 2020

Ha awesome stuff

You do realise you can get rid of all the metal slugs now and just enjoy a few rounds of Turf Masters with a horlicks? I mean.. all that shooting is overrated

You got lucky on that MS2 cart. I play the Turbo version on my pi2jamma simply because I haven't got round to doing the ROM mod on my Metal Slug 2 cart!

"I'm happy to link to them... but I swear a lot, so is that permitted here?"

f**k no!

As for the hardware, although consolisation is convenient, you could plug and play to a SCART TV with a cheap supergun, and just use a standard PC power supply and a std Neo Geo Arcade Stick (most superguns are NeoGeo controller wired, not USB).

Flinnster2020-10-31 03:27:25

Mark H · Oct 31, 2020

Hi Chris - great going and playing the games on the original hardware is the best. Please see my collection and I also now have Metal Slug 2 and Metal Slug 5 on MVS too. I play on a Sony 25" CRT Trinitron TV (60Hz) to get the best experience. I use an MVS converter so I can play the games.

ChrisBEANS · Oct 31, 2020

Very nice!! That’s an awesome collection!

I have an OSSC, so in a perfect world (and if I can afford it) I’d like to hook it up to an OLED.

I’m tempted to grab a CRT, but it’s the fact it takes up so much space and is dedicated to retro gaming that’s put me off so far... we’ll see...

wetwants · Nov 10, 2020

Are you bragging or selling the SD Pro?

steling1 · Nov 10, 2020

I would suggest if you want close to an authentic experience but with a modern turn then look into the Mister FPGA. The FPGA core for Neogeo is truly excellent, I personally cant detect any lag whatsoever and feels so accurate to the original its unreal.

A lot of cores support the original 15khz output also if your using a CRT & RGB vga cable, if your using it on a LCD via HDMI that works great too and you can also add really
decent looking scan-lines in the menu too.

Ive tried other software emulators whether that be the Rasperry pi to
Jamma which never feels right for me or using mame or groovymame on PC
which is decent but once you try the FPGA it really is the bomb in comparison.

If you decide to try it out let me know im more than happy to offer help you to set one up.

ChrisBEANS · Nov 10, 2020

That’s great, cheers!!! I have a consolized MVS being put together by a pal right now, but I’m also extremely tempted to pick up one of the refurbished Aero City cabs that’s in the ‘For Sale’ section, so I can put a 1 slot in there, and maybe pick up a couple of JAMMA boards too...

I know very little about owning a full cab though, so I need to do some proper research...

I would be thinking about putting a mister in the cab if I did pull the trigger.

ChrisBEANS · Nov 10, 2020

wetwants said:
Are you bragging or selling the SD Pro?

I wouldn’t go as far as to say “bragging”, but proudly showing off, maybe

mozie · Jan 23, 2021

Alot of essential there really nice collection there, been on the lookout for a martrimelee myself but the price on that alongside a lot of other mvs games has skyrocketed

ChrisBEANS · Jan 23, 2021

Increased the collection a little since but not worth showing off just yet...

Next steps are a cab (or two?!) and then the collection will be complete.

I’m not going to collect for the sake of it, I’m going to stick to games I will actually play and enjoy.

One thing of interest to MVS/Neo Geo fans is my ‘Kraut Buster’ pickup from NG Dev... fun looking Slug homage. Yet to give it a go, but looking forward to it.

My MVS collection so far... (now complete??)

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