For the controllable Rootmars, see Rootmars Slug.
Rootmars (ルーツマーズ Rūtsumāzu) is the leader of the Martians and the mastermind behind the alien invasion in Metal Slug 2/X. It's also the primary antagonist of Metal Slug 3.
Personality[]
Rootmars, also known as "The Motherbrain of Marspeople", has never been shown with any kind of distinct "personality", but it is said that its desire is to take over the Earth and vanquish everything. The encounter with the Invaders shows that Rootmars is rational enough to be willing to co-operate with a former enemy if a greater threat presents itself.
In Metal Slug Attack, Rootmars is shown to be much more mellow, genuinely caring for the wellbeing of its people as shown in Metal Slug 6. This was the reason why it allowed the Professor and Halle to join the Martians due to their values (the Professor's mourning of his Martian ally, and Halle sacrificing herself to save Pocket), though it has also accepted other members. The Martians believe that if they are near death, Rootmars will give them a vision to teach them an important lesson, and can empower them from afar. Rootmars also doesn't appear to have a desire to conquer the Earth, but to protect it from those that would harm its environment.
Description[]
In Metal Slug 3, during the Final Mission in the Rugname, the heroes encounter a giant Mars People, complete with tentacles, connected to the ship's core via large cables into its brain. It has several stitches running from its "chin" to the ring of cables. This form was revealed in Metal Slug Defense to be a separate entity named Fake Rootmars.
The real one is encountered at end of the game's final mission after the mothership self-destructs and the heroes drop back to Earth. It has a pair of large clawed arms with two digits reminiscent of a Tyrannosaurus rex (instead of tentacles) and a mouth that can spit acid. Its brain is its weak spot, just like the "Fake" counterpart.
Appearances[]
Metal Slug 2[]
Rootmars plotted the invasion of Earth. The Martians backed up the Rebel Army with technology and resources to fight against the Regular Army. However, the Rebels were merely a tool to them, and the Martians were planning on allowing the Rebels and the Regular Army to weaken each other, then use this as an advantage to conquer the world.
Metal Slug 3[]
After the Martians failed in their last attempt, they took on a new approach: abducting General Morden and sending one disguised as him to lead the Rebels and start a new coup d'état, causing numerous supernatural phenomena throughout the world. As that Martian was unmasked, they kidnapped one of the Regular Army commandos and made their escape, immediately pursued by the Rebels and the Regular Army. Their ship Rugname was raided and Rootmars, who was controlling the ship using its brainpower, was put out of commission, thus triggering the self destruction of the ship. As the commandoes made their escape from the self-destructing ship, Rootmars made a last-ditch attempt to kill them.
The fight takes place during free fall towards Earth, so the only places to stand on are the SV-001s and Rootmars' head. Like Fake Rootmars, its weak spot is its head and can be damaged by weapon ammo, bombs, and melee attacks. Rootmars attacks by spitting out green acid from its mouth that travels upward. Occasionally an orange acid ball is spat out which can be destroyed for an item. Rootmars can also charge and emit a large energy ring from its brain that is dodged by jumping over it.
The player can use the SV-001s to attack Rootmars, but it can only sustain two hit points before the player automatically dismounts it to prevent destruction. The SV-001 cannot be entered again for the duration of the fight.
Rootmars is ultimately defeated. The heroes return to the SV-001s and activate its emergency flotation device while Rootmars sank to the bottom of the sea, severely injured.
Metal Slug 6[]
As Rootmars laid dormant under the sea while recovering from the previous battle, the Martians were left defenseless against their natural predators, the Invaders, who took the opportunity to conquer both the Martians and Earth. With the help of the Rebel Army, the Martians rescued Rootmars and after some misunderstanding, allied themselves with the Regular Army to counter the Invaders.
Rootmars appears in the lower bridge section of Mission 4, where it swoops down and picks up the heroes to their next destination. Rootmars is controllable for the following section of the mission using a pair of Vulcans connected to its head and its electric brainwaves coming from its now protected brain. Rootmars is invincible but must move its hands around to keep the heroes from harm's way.
If the player rides Rootmars, then it, instead of Morden, will appear to rescue the players at the end of the final mission.
Metal Slug 7[]
While Rootmars doesn't make an appearance, some Martians are seen rescuing Morden and his army. This shows that the Martians are once again allies to the Rebel Army.
Metal Slug Defense[]
Rootmars is a playable unit as itself for the Space Army and as the Rootmars Slug for the Regular Army.
The Rootmars Slug oddly describes Rootmars joining the Regular Army to fight against the Martians.
Metal Slug 3 (Pachinko)[]
Rootmars is again the main antagonist. Marco fights it in its home planetary base using an SV-001, Slug Gunner, or Golden Slug.
Metal Slug Attack[]
Rootmars is a playable unit, where it comes in numerous forms; the original Rootmars, Rootmars Slug (as a Regular Army unit) and an "X" variant.
Rootmars made its first appearance in-game in the Extra Ops "Alien vs. Morden", where Rootmars was revived by the Invaders and turned against its own people and the alliance made with Donald Morden. Fortunately, Morden is able to snap Rootmars back to its senses.
It also appears in various stories, primarily to give visions and empower Martians as shown with the Marty and the Mars People Rangers. In the first summer event, Rootmars was tired from all the strain it had, and became temporarily berserk, but was returned to its senses by Trevor Spacey and Abigail. It expressed gratitude to the two before it left Earth.
Sometimes later, Rootmars somehow reincarnates as Mostro inside a human girl named Tomiko.
Audio[]
| Rootmars' Laughter | |
| After laughing | |
| Electric Brainwave | |
| Death |
Gallery[]
