Metal Slug
Short Overview
Metal Slug is one of the most iconic side-scrolling action games ever made, celebrated for its gorgeous hand-drawn pixel art, hilarious animations, and fast-paced gameplay. Released in 1996, it instantly became one of the most popular titles in arcades.
Basics
- Release1996
- DeveloperNazca Corporation
- PublisherSNK
- GenreRun and Gun
- Players1–2 players
- HardwareNeo Geo MVS
Main Characters
Iconic weapons and vehicles you can pick up along the way:
Objective
Play as an elite soldier fighting enemy forces across a series of battlefields. Along the way you can rescue captured soldiers, collect a wide range of weapons, commandeer vehicles, and take down massive bosses. The two-player co-op mode made this one of the most fun experiences an arcade cabinet could offer.
Fun Facts
- The game is famous for its extraordinarily detailed, hand-drawn pixel art and fluid, continuous animation.
- Rescued prisoners of war reward you with ammo, weapons, or bonus points.
- Humor runs through the whole game — soldiers' silly reactions, over-the-top explosions, and cartoonish animations give it a unique atmosphere.
- The Metal Slug series is still considered one of the most beautiful 2D arcade games ever made.
- Later entries in the series introduced numerous additional fan-favorite characters, further expanding the Metal Slug universe.
Why Did It Become Legendary?
Metal Slug delivers fast action, stunning visuals, and an outstanding co-op experience all at once. Nonstop explosions, varied stages, memorable bosses, and its trademark humor made it one of the biggest classics of the Neo Geo era.
Who Is It For?
For anyone who loves fast-paced action games and playing together with a friend. Metal Slug is easy to pick up, but its later stages are a serious challenge even for veteran players. A true arcade legend that's just as fun today as it was on release.