The Stone Turtle (ストーンタートル), also known as "The Biggest Unit", is an unused boss from Metal Slug 5.
Information[]
This gigantic unit was an ancient weapon that was discovered by Ptolemaic Army. Due to its gigantic size, it took them a large amount of time to excavate the weapon. Though it would have changed the war, the Ptolemaic Army was defeated before they could even be used in battle. The Stone Turtle could attack by squishing enemies with its massive feet and launching missiles from side launchers.
In Metal Slug Attack, the Ptolemaic Army managed to excavate the Stone Turtle after the war and would continue to develop it as such. A frog-like mecha was also discovered alongside the Stone Turtle, which was customized by Caroline and Towa. The mecha would then be used by Lucy. Another quadruped mecha was also developed by Caroline in reference to the Stone Turtle.
Appearances[]
Metal Slug 5[]
In-Game[]
The Stone Turtle is an unused enemy vehicle. It was planned to be a mini-boss in the Final Mission, fought at the section in which the player is attacked by a group of Commanders. This is evidenced furtherly by the internal area's name, which is "Turtle Boss"[1], and its belly tractor beam graphics containing bits of the area's background.
According to the game's sprites, the Stone Turtle had a built-in rocket launcher (similar to the Hi-Do) inside of its shell. It could lift their feet and move around the arena. The head would be able to retract into its shell.
Development[]
Concept art posted on the now defunct Metal Slug World page, and later reposted on the bonus Metal Slug Attack preregistration site, reveal more details on its role. Originally known as the Mobile Fortified Temple (移動要塞神殿, idou yousai shinden), it functioned similar to the Rugname from Metal Slug 3 - acting as a mid-boss of the final mission and serving as the main location for the later half of the mission, where the player fought from the inside upwards to Ptolemaios. Other details include a purposed 3D-like section in which a Slug vehicle would've made an apparition (likely the unused gear area under the Gaia Elephant arena).
Metal Slug Revolution[]
It appears in game with a variant of colors.
Metal Slug Defense[]
The Stone Turtle appears as part of the 1.22.0 update, with a description explaining why the weapon didn't show up in Metal Slug 5. During development, this unit was nicknamed "The Biggest Unit."
The normal size has been greatly reduced to fit within the screen. It mostly serves as a damage sponge, having 60,000 HP at level 40, slowly moving towards the enemy base and attacking by stomping on enemies. It uses the Hi-Do missiles inside its shell as its special attack.
Metal Slug Attack[]
It was introduced in Update 1.0.2. Just like in Metal Slug Defense, its normal size has been reduced as well due to its huge size. It has all the same attacks as well in its MSD counterpart.
Variants[]
Trivia[]
- In its official concept art, the Stone Turtle was used as a base for the Gaia Elephant which can be seen in-game in the background at the very beginning of Mission 5. This references to the Hindu belief of a cosmic turtle carrying four elephants on its shell, which in turn carry the Earth on their heads.
- Its form resembles the AT-AT from Star Wars.
- The Stone Turtle's underside is reused from Dai-Manji
- The Emerald Turtle's color scheme is a reference to Raphael from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
References[]
- ↑ "Metal Slug 5 (Neo Geo)". The Cutting Room Floor. https://tcrf.net/Metal_Slug_5_(Neo_Geo)
Unused Content |
Phil Gene • Michiko Nakajima • "Achilles" • "Tabomba" • Nazca Logo • KT-21 • Rebel Armored Car • Angry Man • "The Jet" • Stone Turtle • Ptolemaios • "Scrap Fan" • Pink Zombies • 10th Anniversary Website Sprites |