Talk about shell shock. A true gaming anomaly, this much-anticipated collector's set -- encompassing seven classic, side-scrolling run-'n'-gun arcade outings -- debuts on Nintendo's Wii, an avant-garde next-generation console. It unsuccessfully attempts to enhance these otherwise straightforward, 5- to 10-year-old outings with all-new motion-sensitive controls. The result: You're actually better off waiting for the less feature-packed editions of the disc, due for the PlayStation 2 and PSP.

The package includes every game in the critically acclaimed Metal Slug series from chapters 1 to 6, including side-story Metal Slug X. All look and play identically to their coin-operated cousins, offering a wealth of cartoon military mayhem. There's no big secret to winning each stage, pitting one or two assault rifle-toting commandos against rebel soldiers, zombies, aliens and giant, screen-hogging bosses on foot or from within explosive-spitting tanks and submarines. Simply point, shoot and repeat. However, the title's packaging is a huge disappointment, with clunky menus, poorly animated loading screens and bare-bones extras (e.g. concept art and text-based interviews) attesting to the collection's low-budget production values.

The real problem here is the gonzo user interface. To play, you hold the Wii controller sideways like an old NES pad. Throwing grenades requires physically flicking the device, making it impossible to activate one of your most basic attacks quickly and effectively. Alternate configurations let you utilize one-handed and dual-joystick setups that prove no less unwieldy, and oddly enough, employing a well-aged GameCube controller (backwards-compatible with the title) offers your best option. Given that even the Wii Classic Controller -- styled after older console machines, and ideal for titles like this -- remains incompatible, take a pass until the versions for older platforms are ready for launch.