Introduction

Imagine you’re a policeman piloting a giant mecha, battling rogue robots in a futuristic city. Sounds awesome, right? Welcome to Mad Stalker: Full Metal Force, where you can kick butt while feeling like a snack-sized Godzilla. Released in the far-off yonder of 1997, this game delivers brawls, bad guys, and pure mechanical mayhem. If you're in the mood for some aged anime-style action, put on your best 'I am the law' voice and let’s dive in.

Gameplay

Your mission? Defeat Rising Dog. No, this isn’t a weird pet adoption program; it's an evil mech that’s throwing a tantrum in Artemis City. You control your performance in a shiny SlaveGear mecha suit called Hound Dog, wielding attacks that would make a kindergarten teacher faint. The controls are simple enough to not require an instruction manual: just an eight-directional joystick and two buttons, which means your grandma could probably handle it after a few rounds of practice. You’ll stomp through six stages filled with robots that seem to have bad days just waiting to happen. You can punch, dash, double jump, and throw enemies like they owe you money. Boss fights are abysmally entertaining, where your goal is to outsmart larger-than-life mechanical monstrosities. Dying is a thing too, and let’s be real, you’re going to die a lot—so many game overs that your console might start to feel pity for you. A significant feature is the lot of unlockable characters that actually add some diversity to your punching arsenal (yes, that’s an actual thing). The multiplayer versus mode serves as the cherry on top, where you can duke it out with a friend. Thrilling, until you decide that now is the right moment to settle who is the better player. Spoiler: it’s probably going to be a quick trip to the couch afterwards for that post-fight awkwardness.

Graphics

Visually, the game is an odd blend of pixelated nostalgia and silly cartoonish designs. You know how in old school action flicks, the characters moved faster than a caffeinated squirrel? This game captures that vibe, especially with its mecha designs—just big enough to make you yell ‘cool’ without inducing any existential crises. The backgrounds ooze neon charm, like someone spilled a bucket of glow paint over your childhood memories. When it comes to the cutscenes, hold onto your socks; they’re reminiscent of late-night anime marathons and come adorned with some questionable dialogue choices. You'll want popcorn for this epic ride!

Conclusion

Mad Stalker: Full Metal Force offers a classic side-scrolling beat 'em up experience that should tickle the fancies of nostalgic gamers and anime fans alike. If smashing robots while shouting ‘I am the law!’ sounds like your kind of fun, this game is a no-brainer. Not taking itself too seriously, it wears its silly charm on its sleeve like a badge of honor. Overall, expect a bumpy ride through a neon-drenched dystopia, with only a few unfortunate realities like lower-than-expected health bars and potentially questionable AI: 'Did they even go to robot school?' All things considered, it’s an adventure worth a spin. Plus, you can always claim to your friends: 'I saved the city from a bad dog,' and they're just going to have to believe you. Score: 8/10—time to get your doggo suit ready!

See Prices for Mad Stalker: Full Metal Force on PlayStation on Ebay