Metro-Cross

Metro-Cross
Advertising flyer
Developer(s)	Namco
Publisher(s)	JP:Namco EU:Kitkorp
Designer(s)	Tatsuro Okamoto
Composer(s)	Nobuyuki Ohnogi
Platform(s)	Arcade,Amstrad CPC,Atari ST,Commodore 64,Family Computer,ZX Spectrum
Release	JP:February 17, 1985 NA:1985 EU:1985
Genre(s)	Platform
Mode(s)	Single-player,multiplayer
Arcade system	Namco Pac-Land

Metro-Crossis aplatform gamereleased in arcades byNamcoin 1985. It was ported to theAmstrad CPC,Atari ST,Commodore 64,Family Computer,andZX Spectrum.

Metro-Crossruns onNamco Pac-Landhardware, but with a video system modified to support a 2048-colorpalettelike that used inDragon Buster.It uses aMotorola M6809microprocessor, with aHitachi HD63701sub-microprocessor (both running at 1.536MHz) and Namco 8-channel waveformPSGfor audio.

Gameplay

The player leaping over a hurdle

Screenshot from the Commodore 64 version

The player must take control of a man known only as Runner, who is given a time limit to run through each of the game's thirty-two rounds while avoiding obstacles and collecting drink cans. The actual running happens automatically: the job of the player is to avoid the obstacles and collect the cans by moving the Runner with the stick and adjusting his speed accordingly.

If the Runner finishes the round within the time limit, the remaining time will be awarded to him as bonus points and he will proceed to the next round. Every fourth round is special, using the remaining time from the three previous ones as additional time. However, if the Runner has not finished the round by the time the time limit runs out, he will be electrocuted and the game will immediately be over.

Obstacles along the way include Slip Zones which will slow the Runner down if he tries to cross over them, Pitfalls which will break under the Runner's weight and drop him into the holes beneath them, and Crackers which will launch the Runner up into the air and cause him to land on his back. Later rounds also feature Jumbo Tires that bounce towards the Runner, Walls that emerge from the ground before receding back into it, Cubes that move through particular columns of tiles, Mice that attempt to jump onto the Runner and slow him down, and Chess Knights and Kings that bounce from one tile to another.

The rounds also feature Springboards, which can be used to propel the Runner forward at a great speed. Some rounds have a special layout of Springboards, where it is possible to use one Springboard to land directly on the second one. Some other rounds also feature Skateboards which will speed the Runner up and make him immune to Slip Zones. There are also two different types of drink cans; kicking them will either gain the player bonus points (from 100 to 5000) or speed the Runner up, but jumping on them will stop the timer for a few seconds.

Reception

Game MachinelistedMetro-Crossas being the ninth most popular arcade game of June 1985 in Japan.

Legacy

Metro-Crosswas re-released as part ofNamco MuseumVolume 5forPlayStationandNamco Museum Virtual ArcadeforXbox 360(renamedRetro-Crossin theEuropeanandAustralianversions ofVirtual Arcade).

A high definition sequel calledAero-Crosswas being developed for theXbox Live ArcadeandPlayStation Networkas part of theNamco Generationsline until it was cancelled along with the Namco Generations brand itself being discontinued; multiple players would have been able to play simultaneously, similar toKonami'sHyper Olympicgames.

A theme based onMetro-Crossis featured inPac-Man 99,as special DLC.

External links

• Metro-Crossat theKiller List of Videogames