'''Metro-Cross''' is an arcade game, developed by [[Namco]] and released in [[1985]]. It is a platform game where the player must run through 32 futuristic levels. He is given a time limit to run through each one while avoiding obstacles and collecting items. The actual running happens automatically, the job of the player is to dodge obstacles and collect items by moving the character sideways and adjusting the speed.
'''Metro-Cross''' is a [[platform]] arcade game, that was released by [[Namco]] in [[1985]]. It runs on Namco [[Pac-Land]] hardware (a Motorola M6809 and a Hitachi HD-63701, running at 1.536 MHz), modified to support a 2048-colour palette ([[Baraduke]] also used this 2048-colour palette). 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 drinks 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 character finishes the race within the time limit, the remaining time is converted into bonus points and he moves on to the next track. Every fourth track is a special track, which uses the time left over from the previous three as additional time. However, if the character hasn't reached the finish line when the time limit is up, the game is over.
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. But 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 glass panels, which break under the character's weight and drop him to a hole, and steam jets which shoot steam at the character. Landing on a glass panel and pushing forward on the joystick, however, creates an extra long jump. Later tracks also feature balls that bounce along the track and must be avoided. Colliding with an obstacle results in a penalty of a few seconds. Later levels include frogs that attempt to jump on you and slow you down. If 3 frogs jump on you at the same time, you are reduced to a very slow speed.
Obstacles along the way include Slip Zones, which will slow the Runner down if he tries to cross over them (much like the craters of dead enemytanks did in [[Grobda]]), 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 you, 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/Kings that bounce from one tile to another...
Also along the track are springboards, which can be used to propel the character forward at a great speed. Some tracks have a special layout of springboards, where it is possible to use a springboard to land directly on another one. Some tracks also have skateboards which speed the character up and make him immune to some obstacles. There are two colours of cans found along the track. Kicking the cans gains bonus points, but jumping on them and knocking them over activates a special effect. Jumping on a blue can stops the timer for a few seconds, and jumping on a green can gives an extra burst of speed.
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 drinks cans; kicking them will either gain you bonus points (from 100 to 5000) or speed the Runner up, but jumping on them will stop the timer for a few seconds.
Namco brought the game home on the [[Famicom]] platform at the very end of [[1986]]. The game was also successfully converted to various home computer formats by [[U.S. Gold]], including the [[Commodore 64]], [[Atari ST]], [[Amstrad CPC]], and the [[Sinclair ZX Spectrum]].
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Metro-Cross title.png|Title screen.
File:Metro-Cross title.png|Title screen.
Image:Metro-Cross FC box.jpg|Famicom box
File:Metro-Cross screen1.png|The first round of the game.
File:Metro-Cross ST box.jpg|American Atari ST artwork.
</gallery>
</gallery>
== Controls ==
{{ToC}}
[[Image:Metro-Cross Runner.png|right]]
* '''Joystick''': Use the joystick to control the Runner throughout the course. Pressing right increases the Runner's speed, while pressing left decreases the speed. Use up and down to adjust the Runner's position along the course.
* '''Jump''': Press the jump button to make the Runner jump off the ground. Tapping jump allows the Runner to leap over obstacles like oil drums or hurdles. Hold jump as you approach springboards to launch off of them.
* '''1-2 Players''': Press either button to begin a one or two player game.
<gallery>
Image:Metro-Cross screen1.gif|Getting flattened by Jumbo Cans
Image:Metro-Cross screen2.gif|Springboard over Pitfalls
Image:Metro-Cross screen3.gif|Reaching the goal
</gallery>
== Track Features ==
=== Useful Items ===
{| {{prettytable}}
! Item || Name || Description
|-
| [[Image:Metro-Cross Almican.png]] || Aluminum Can || If you jump on top of one of these cans, the timer will stop for 2 seconds. If you kick the can instead of jumping on it, you will earn 100, 500, 1000, 2000, and 5000 points for each continuous kick that you give to the same can.
|-
| [[Image:Metro-Cross Special Drink.png]] || Special Drink || Jumping on top of this can will stop the timer as well. However, if you kick one of these cans, the Runner will be granted an extra boost of speed. He will still be slowed down by running over a Slip Zone, so be careful.
|-
| [[Image:Metro-Cross Skateboard.png]] || Skateboard || Run up to one of the skateboards that you find and you will instantly begin riding it. While riding a skateboard, you can travel over Slip Zones just as quickly as regular floor tiles. If you crash into something, or jump into the air, you will leave the skateboard behind.
|-
| [[Image:Metro-Cross Springboard.png]] || Springboard || When you encounter a spring board, press the jump button to launch off of it and fly forward through the air. You will maximize the distance that you can spring by holding the jump button as you run up to, or bounce on to, a springboard.
| Jump over the Jumbo Cans or they will flatten you to the ground. But pay close attention to the way that they move in later rounds.
| Jumbo Tires will attempt to flatten you as they bounce along the ground. Move out of their way if you can.
| The Runner must cleanly jump over Hurdles or he will get tripped up and fall on his face, costing him precious time while he gets back up on his feet.
| Walls raise and lower out of the ground, and will prevent you from passing if you run into them.
Metro-Cross is a platform arcade game, that was released by Namco in 1985. It runs on Namco Pac-Land hardware (a Motorola M6809 and a Hitachi HD-63701, running at 1.536 MHz), modified to support a 2048-colour palette (Baraduke also used this 2048-colour palette). 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 drinks 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. But 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 (much like the craters of dead enemytanks did in Grobda), 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 you, 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/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 drinks cans; kicking them will either gain you bonus points (from 100 to 5000) or speed the Runner up, but jumping on them will stop the timer for a few seconds.
