METAL SLUG

About

"Metal Slug" is a classic run-and-gun shooting game where players fight against Gen. Morden's evil ambitions in 6 missions, with the ability to play the original arcade version or select stages in Mission Mode. The game also features online multiplayer and various settings for a customized experience. Fight solo or with a friend to thwart Gen. Morden's plans in this nostalgic 2D action shooter.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,141 reviews

gameplay28 positive mentions

optimization17 negative mentions

Metal Slug is a classic arcade game that offers nostalgic gameplay with beautiful pixel art and animations.
The game features fun co-op multiplayer, allowing players to enjoy the experience together.
Despite its short length, the game is engaging and provides a satisfying run-and-gun experience.

The port suffers from significant performance issues, including frequent slowdowns and input lag.
The controls are unresponsive, making it difficult to execute actions smoothly, especially with a controller.
The game is very short, taking only about 30-40 minutes to complete, which some players feel does not justify the price.

gameplay
99 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
28%
65%
7%
The gameplay of Metal Slug is widely praised for its tight controls, responsive mechanics, and engaging run-and-gun action, making it a classic in the genre. While the game features simple yet addictive gameplay with a variety of weapons and power-ups, some players have noted issues like lag spikes and input delay that can disrupt the experience. Overall, it remains a challenging and enjoyable title, especially in co-op mode, though its short playtime and difficulty may deter casual players.
- “Metal Slug immerses players in an arcade action world with a run-and-gun gameplay style.”
- “The gameplay is simple but perfectly honed: every detail feels precise, keeping players on their toes.”
- “The combination of gorgeous pixel art, tight gameplay, and relentless action make it a shining example of the run-and-gun genre.”
- “Lag spikes plague the game at any resolution, and severe input delay ruins the flow of gameplay.”
- “Massive and very frequent slowdowns ruin the gameplay.”
- “However, the controls make the game completely unplayable as it feels like both the d-pad and the analog stick aren't calibrated properly, resulting in countless issues during gameplay with the character stopping his movement for no reason and making aiming in directions a chore.”
graphics
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
51%
45%
4%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning 2D pixel art style, which remains impressive even by today's standards, showcasing exceptional attention to detail and fluid animations. While some users noted issues with the port's performance and menu design, the overall aesthetic and nostalgic appeal of the visuals have solidified the game's status as a classic. Many reviews highlight the unique art style and vibrant graphics as key elements that enhance the gameplay experience.
- “The graphics really are astounding; the game looks like a living painting.”
- “Metal Slug is a true classic and, in my opinion, marks a peak of development in terms of design for its time, with an art style that has truly withstood the test of time.”
- “A fast-paced, run-and-gun shooter with a beautiful art style, fluid animation, and oozing with personality.”
- “The game still suffers from the same graphics slowdowns and bugs as the original.”
- “Don't get baited into buying this game - the port is horrible with huge input delay and broken graphic options.”
- “This port by Dotemu is pretty shoddy, though...more slowdown than the arcade original, surprisingly blurry visuals, and unresponsive controls.”
story
70 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
84%
4%
The story in the game is minimal and largely serves as a backdrop for the action, revolving around a simple mission to defeat an evil dictator and his forces across six short missions. While some players appreciate the nostalgic arcade feel and the vibrant settings, many criticize the brevity and lack of depth in the narrative, with gameplay taking precedence over storytelling. Overall, the game is seen as a fun, fast-paced experience, but those seeking a rich narrative may be disappointed.
- “I was excited about the story, so I bought the rest of the franchise games, and I hope those same games are as good as this.”
- “Nobody cares for the story, but the WWII setting mixed with a more comical feel makes this a strange world of larger-than-life heroes and big machines that don’t feel out of place while still being rooted in realism.”
- “Story-wise, the game forces you to take down the evil general Morden and his army.”
- “The story is simple... kill everyone, kill a boss and go home at the end of the mission.”
- “If you expect some story or characters, you'll be disappointed as this game has neither of those things.”
- “There's not much story to speak of as the game is a simple platform run and gun.”
music
63 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
54%
5%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its energetic and thematic fit, while others criticize it for being choppy and poorly emulated, leading to glitches and slowdowns. Many players appreciate the nostalgic value and composition, noting that it enhances the overall experience, but the technical issues detract from its quality. Overall, while the soundtrack is often highlighted as a strong point, the execution in this port leaves much to be desired.
- “The sound design and music complement the arcade atmosphere perfectly.”
- “The rock-inspired soundtrack fits the fast-paced gameplay, driving an endless sense of adrenaline.”
- “The soundtrack is very underrated in my honest opinion; Takushi Hiyamuta did a splendid job composing music that complements the level's atmosphere and pacing.”
- “Also, there is something wrong with the music; it sounds choppy at times for some reason.”
- “The music has a tendency to skip, making it sound janky and horrid.”
- “The music and sound effects are also screwed up (poorly emulated, leading to the tempo randomly speeding up and slowing down).”
optimization
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
37%
49%
The game's optimization has been widely criticized, with players reporting significant performance issues such as frame rate drops, stuttering, and input delays, particularly during intense action scenes. Many users express disappointment in the port's inability to handle on-screen chaos smoothly, leading to an overall frustrating experience. While some acknowledge nostalgic value, the consensus is that the game suffers from poor optimization, making it hard to recommend over better-performing alternatives.
- “One would reasonably expect a video game that processes a significant amount of on-screen information to be optimized.”
- “The only negatives I can come up with are some performance issues with frame rates at times, and the games are pretty short.”
- “This version has little optimization problems, mostly with the fps and the music.”
- “Unfortunately, this particular game falls short in terms of optimization, evident in the considerable frame rate drops when a plethora of objects is displayed on the screen and the noticeable delay in key inputs.”
- “The porting though is atrocious: lag, stuttering, and slowdowns are the name of the game, making it feel terribly unresponsive and awful to play.”
- “Not to mention the performance issues, lots of players (if not all of them) noticed there are huge fps drops in overcrowded situations... which is ridiculous considering the game and the 'engine'.”
humor
33 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in Metal Slug is characterized by its dark, edgy animations and quirky designs that blend violence with comedic elements, creating a lively and entertaining experience. Players appreciate the game's satirical take on military themes, with humorous enemy reactions and absurd scenarios that add depth to the gameplay. Overall, the humor enhances the nostalgic charm of the game, making it a memorable and enjoyable run-and-gun experience.
- “Metal Slug is an action side-scroller platformer game that's cartoonish and fun and has got all the right dark humor in the right places!”
- “While it features military violence, the game's humorous animations help to soften the violence and make it more lively and interesting, which has helped it gain a following.”
- “The graphics and animations are great and really funny; the way the soldiers die is hilarious.”
replayability
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
42%
13%
Overall, the game exhibits high replayability due to features like achievements, multiplayer options, and various difficulty modes, making it appealing for players who enjoy challenges and competitive play. While some users note that its short length may limit replay value for casual players, many find it engaging enough to revisit, especially in social settings. The consensus suggests that those who appreciate skill-based gameplay will find significant replay value, while others may see it as less compelling.
- “New features like Steam achievements, trading cards, online/offline multiplayer, and leaderboards all add replayability, breathing fresh life into a classic experience.”
- “The total game took me about 45 minutes to beat, but I think it's made for replayability and beating your own score if you care about that kind of thing.”
- “Metal Slug is really something special; while it is very short, it is a super fun run'n'gun and great cooperative experience. The port works exceptionally with Steam achievements, online play, and tons of different modes of play, which makes this game super replayable.”
- “There is no real replay value apart from reliving your childhood.”
- “If you're not a speedrunner or a high scorer then the replayability drops quite a bit... like all Metal Slug games, this game provides great challenges; it's up to you to beat them!”
- “The game is quite short, but there is a ton of replay value.”
atmosphere
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
13%
38%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its vibrant sound design and music, which enhance the arcade experience and evoke nostalgia. Players appreciate the unique ambiance of each stage, complemented by a well-crafted soundtrack that fits various gameplay scenarios, contributing to an engaging and humorous environment. Overall, the atmosphere is described as fun, intense, and reminiscent of classic gaming experiences.
- “The sound design and music complement the arcade atmosphere perfectly.”
- “The soundtrack is very underrated in my honest opinion. Takushi Hiyamuta (Hiya! in the game credits) did a splendid job composing music that complements the level's atmosphere and its pacing, fitting well in every situation, whether you're fighting a bunch of enemies or a mini-boss. As far as I'm aware, the soundtrack of the series inspired video game composers like Jake Kaufman and Toby Fox.”
- “The in-game atmosphere takes me to my childhood.”
- “Each stage has its own atmosphere and iconic art style of the MS series.”
- “It gives humor; it gives atmosphere.”
stability
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
83%
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with users reporting significant issues such as stuttering menus, inexplicable slowdowns, and total freezes even on high-end hardware. While some players find it still playable, they note that these performance problems, including dropped frames and buggy achievements in multiplayer, detract from the overall experience.
- “A classic game, ported to PC, and it runs great.”
- “The game maintains a steady frame rate, providing a smooth experience.”
- “I haven't encountered any crashes or bugs, which is impressive for a title of this age.”
- “When we tried playing it on one PC (split keyboard), the menu was stuttering and buggy.”
- “Frankly, the slowdowns and freezes are entirely inexplicable.”
- “It's a great game, but it's a very old game; I should not have sudden total freezes with an RTX 30 and a Ryzen 7 processor. This seems to happen regardless of your operating system.”
grinding
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
25%
50%
Reviews indicate that grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, with some players feeling it requires an unrealistic commitment. While some versions offer a more streamlined experience without grinding, others criticize the tedious nature of the grind, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.
- “Simple stuff, no leveling, no grinding, no downtime besides you putting a quarter in the machine, but in the Steam version you don't even have to do that, besides the initial purchase.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Lazy release that makes a frustrating and tedious experience out of an otherwise great game.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the project is highlighted as a heartfelt tribute to classic games that have influenced the industry, evoking nostalgia and deep feelings in players. The unique gameplay mechanics further enhance this emotional experience, offering a fresh perspective that contrasts with traditional 2D games.
- “This project goes beyond technology; it's a heartfelt tribute to the timeless games that shaped the gaming industry.”
- “Shed a tear”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The monetization of Metal Slug has been criticized for being a blatant cash grab, particularly targeting younger audiences, which has led to frustration among players due to its challenging gameplay mechanics that encourage repeated spending.
- “Metal Slug, as it is more commonly called in the West, first popped up on SNK Corporation’s Neo Geo arcade machines and was poorly received due to being a blatant cash grab aimed at teenage kids.”
- “The rapid-firing enemies and slow jumping controls clash to guarantee numerous deaths and even more numerous dirty, sweaty tantrums.”
- “The monetization strategy feels exploitative, targeting younger players who may not fully understand the implications of spending money on in-game purchases.”