Metro-Cross

Game Details:

Metro-Cross was officially released to the arcade market by Namco in 1985 and was later ported to home consoles like the Famicom. The game is set in a futuristic underground tunnel network. Players take on the role of a skateboarder in a sleeveless bodysuit, sprinting and jumping to break through various obstacles under a strict time limit. As a representative of early side-scrolling runners, the game features highly creative hazards such as rolling giant barrels, collapsing floors, and giant chess pieces. With its fast-paced action and high skill requirements, it left a unique mark on the arcade era.

Game Guide:

The core gameplay revolves around rhythm control and route planning.

Pro Tips & Strategies:

The game features a strict countdown timer; getting hit or falling causes time loss, so maintaining speed is the top priority. Skateboards and springboards appear throughout the stages. The skateboard is the most essential item—mounting it significantly increases speed and allows you to glide over slowdown zones (green floors). However, note that you cannot perform high jumps while on a board; you must ditch it before reaching tall obstacles. Springboards help players execute long-distance jumps to clear dense hazard zones. In mid-to-late stages, special green cans appear that pause the timer when kicked; these must be prioritized. When facing rolling giant barrels, predict their bounce to slide underneath or pass through during the gap in their rebound. Success comes from memorizing each track's layout and building muscle memory.