The Metal Type was introduced to represent the steel type from the main series. It's unclear why they changed the names, but localization in the late 90s and early '00s was a crapshoot at best, so who knows what really happened there.
Despite only introducing two new 'mons (and one Energy Card), the type was an immediate smash hit. In fact, the Energy Card had some impact in decks that didn't use any of the 'mons.
Metal Energy has a pretty insane effect to toss on an Energy Card. It reduces damage taken from attacks by 10, permanently. The only downside is that it reduces the damage output of the 'mon by 10 if it isn't a Metal-type, but there are plenty of cards that don't actually care about attacking.
Metal Energy was famously paired up with Base Chansey, or could just be slapped onto any utility 'mon for some extra protection. This is a case where the downside and upside are clearly not balanced properly.
It was also, obviously, mandatory for any deck featuring the rare new Metal-type, with one of those decks immediately becoming a format staple.
Grade: 10/10
Steelix is the Metal type. Period. This one card is the biggest selling point of the entire type's existence. A staggering 110 HP and a ruthlessly efficient attack in Tail Crush, all on a 'mon that's compatible with Metal Energy.
I'm confident that the new Fire-types wouldn't have seen nearly as much play if people hadn't been desperate to find ways to kill this card. Every deck in every Neo format absolutely needs to have a plan for Steelix.
Grade: 10/10
Skarmory is a perfectly respectable card, but the only reason to ever use it is if your deck doesn't have enough room for the Stage 1 Steelix. The high retreat cost on Steelix made sense because it's so far above the power level of other cards, but Skarmory has a clunky Retreat Cost for no tangible benefit.
I could see it maybe being a tech option in Metal Chansey decks, where having one more 'mon that's compatible with Metal Energy might be nice, but that's about it.
Grade: 6/10
While not as oppressive as Sneasel, the earth-shattering impact of Steelix shouldn't be understated. It was one of the most dominant decks in the Neo era, comparable to the deadly Riptide Feraligatr.
Decks that try to win with cheap, efficient attacks are stomped out of existence by the mere presence of Steelix and Metal Energy. Whether you counter it by removing the Energy Cards, inflicting Poison, or hitting it for Weakness, you don't get to play the game unless you can kill a Steelix.
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