I really cant say anything bad about this game. In my humble opinion its the best SNES game ever made. So I'm a bit of a fan boy.
I remember playing this game endlessly with my friends. Its multiple player game mode was way ahead of its time. The variety of mechs
and level design are perfectly balanced so there is always new challenging fights. The single player is very solid all around as well. The story is kind of irrelevant since this is purely an action game. I remember it being one of the most challenging platform games I'd played but overwhelmingly fun. The bombed out city level was my personal favorite. The graphics are great for its time with some of the best cut scenes for the SNES. The sound is engaging with catchy retro 16 bit music.

The six mech
s are all very different which is one of the coolest aspects of the game. They all have their own abilities, strengths and weaknesses. Nitro is the well rounded mech with a strong light saber attack. Havoc is like drag racing axe wielding, jet propelled maniac. Prometheus is a slow moving fortress with massive devastating cannons. Spider is a more challenging mech to control with his tricky wall controls but is even harder to beat when mastered. Ballistic is like a sonic the hedge hog rolling turret. Drache is a fast maneuvering kamikaze pilot. All of which can beat any other opponent which gives it endless replay value. Konami really should make a sequel but I highly doubt it since its such an unknown game. But for those of us who cant get enough of Konami's hectic mech battling, Zone of Enders was the closest thing we'll probably get to a real sequel. If you watch the cut scene in the beginning of ZOE 1 for PS2 you'll see the Nitro mech from the Metal Warriors cover art being destroyed. I've been looking for this game all over and glad I found it. I recommend everyone play it. It really is that good of a game!

I liked reading this review. It touched on quite a few aspects that you believe make this game so good. I have not played it, but your review has gotten me intrigued. I'll give it a shot when I have the time.