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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Title screen.
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Famicom box
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Multi-language computer box
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American computer box
Controls
- 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.
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Getting flattened by Jumbo Cans
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Springboard over Pitfalls
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Reaching the goal
Track Features
Useful Items
| Item | Name | Description |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
Bad Floor Tiles
| Slip Zone | Pitfall | Cracker |
|---|---|---|
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| The Runner's speed will slow to a crawl if he tries to run over a Slip Zone. | Landing in a Pitfall will cost the Runner precious time as he climbs out of it. | Running over a Cracker will launch the Runner straight up into the air, and cause him to land on his back. |
Obstacles
| Jumbo Can | Jumbo Tire | Hurdle | Wall |
|---|---|---|---|
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| 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. |
| Cube | Mouse | Chess King | Chess Knight |
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| Cubes rotate through a particular column of tiles and will cause the Runner to fall if he runs into them. | These green mice love to run up to contestants and cling to them, weighing them down. Shake the joystick back and forth to shake them off. | Chess Kings bounce from one tile to another, attempting to interfere with the Runner's progress. | Like the Chess Kings, the Knights bounce around from tile to tile, but only in the same fashion that they are allowed to move in real chess. |
Bonus Points
- You will earn 10,000 points if you cross the goal on a skateboard.
- Use a Cracker or Springboard to leap over the goal frame to earn 5000 points.
- Transfer from one skateboard to another skateboard without touching the ground for 2000 points.