Developed by SNK and released in 2000, this legendary run-and-gun arcade shooter is celebrated for its frantic pacing and gorgeous pixel art. As a standout entry in the Neo Geo arcade lineup, it pushes the genre's boundaries with branching paths, varied vehicular “Slugs,” and an absurdly escalating conflict that shifts from fighting rebel armies to fending off zombies, giant crabs, and alien invasions.
How to play
Your objective is to blast your way through heavily guarded enemy lines, rescuing POWs and taking down massive screen-filling bosses. For typical arcade controls in the browser, use the arrow keys to move and aim, while the main action buttons are mapped to Z (shoot), X (jump), and C (throw grenade). Make sure to insert virtual coins (often Shift) and press Start (usually Enter) to begin your mission.
Tips
- Watch the branching paths: The path you choose completely changes the enemies, vehicles, and environments you'll face before reaching the end of the stage. Experimenting with different routes is key to finding the best power-ups and Slugs.
- Save your grenades: Grenades deal massive burst damage to bosses. Try to hold onto your supply during the stage so you can quickly burn down boss health bars.
- Utilize invincibility frames: When hopping in or out of a Metal Slug vehicle, you are temporarily invincible. Use this trick to dodge otherwise unavoidable attacks during tight fights.
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