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Metal Slug

199682/100
ShooterPlatformArcade

Comedy

+2
Metal Slug's appeal lies in its commitment to pure, unadulterated arcade action. This run-and-gun shooter demands twitch reflexes and a mastery of its weapon arsenal, rewarding players with visceral explosions and satisfying enemy takedowns. Its iconic visual style, with detailed sprites and fluid animations, elevates the experience, making each level a vibrant and memorable combat arena that begs for repeated playthroughs.

About Metal Slug

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The Metal Slug storyline stretches from the beginning of the era of modern-day terrorism, set in the near-future of 2028. There are two militant factions that struggle for power: the Rebellion and the Regular Army. The Regular Army is a well-equipped, modern-day force run by various nations around the world. The Rebellion is comprised of various small, organized militant groups, ranging from terrorists to splinter groups of military forces driven by a hunger for power. The Regular Army is a very formidable force. However, it lacks effectiveness due to the widespread corruption within the chain of command. Other officials often deny the reports and recommendations given to them by intelligence officers. This often leads to intelligence failures that result in dramatic consequences. Vice Admiral Donald Morden of the Regular Army Marine Corps is one of the main characters that sparks the events of Metal Slug. He has a reputation of being a tough, efficient, and caring officer of the Regular Army, and is held in high regard by his troops. He is also a caring father to his son. However, Morden immediately defects over to the Rebellion when his son is killed in the Central Park bombing caused by an intelligence failure on the part of the Regular Army. He self-promoted to General. In 2026, a year after the attempted assassination of the President of the United States launched by the Rebellion under General Donald Morden's command, the Rebellion launched a massive attack against the Regular Army forces around the world. Although the Regular Army intelligence agency had many indications that such an attack was imminent, Regular Army officials again ignored the warnings. With the Regular Army forces surprised, the Rebellion nearly annihilated them with their superior numbers and emergent technologies.

Top 4 Alternatives to Metal Slug

1
Rating
Critic & community
87
Match
Recommendation strength
91%

Cuphead

2017 · Action

Like Metal Slug, Cuphead throws you into a relentless gauntlet of boss battles and run-and-gun stages, demanding pixel-perfect precision and pattern recognition, all wrapped in a stunning, hand-drawn aesthetic.

Why recommended

  • Features intense, fast-paced run-and-gun action gameplay with a focus on dodging projectiles and precise shooting, very similar to Metal Slug's core loop.
  • Criteria — Challenging Difficulty is central to the experience, with bosses and stages designed to push players to their limits through complex patterns and high damage output.
  • Supports local co-op multiplayer, allowing two players to tackle the challenging levels and bosses together, just as in Metal Slug.
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2
Rating
Critic & community
89
Match
Recommendation strength
89%

Step back to a classic era of run-and-gun action with Contra III, delivering the same relentless alien-blasting, explosive power-ups, and challenging side-scrolling stages that define Metal Slug.

Why recommended

  • Pioneered the side-scrolling run-and-gun shooter genre with intense action, varied weaponry, and screen-filling bosses, directly influencing games like Metal Slug.
  • Criteria — Infamously known for its Challenging Difficulty, requiring memorization, precise movement, and quick reactions to overcome its relentless enemy waves and bullet patterns.
  • Features a classic 2-player local co-op mode, allowing friends to team up and face the alien menace together, a core appeal shared with Metal Slug.
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3
Rating
Critic & community
83
Match
Recommendation strength
85%

Embrace the explosive chaos of Metal Slug with Broforce, where you'll mow down enemies as over-the-top action heroes, leaving a trail of destruction and comedic mayhem in your wake.

Why recommended

  • Offers frenetic, side-scrolling run-and-gun action with highly destructible environments and a constant stream of enemies, echoing Metal Slug's signature combat.
  • Criteria — Designed with Challenging Difficulty in mind, requiring quick reflexes and strategic use of various 'bros' with unique abilities to survive.
  • Features robust local and online co-op multiplayer for up to four players, amplifying the chaotic fun and making it a perfect fit for fans of Metal Slug's co-op.
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4
Rating
Critic & community
78
Match
Recommendation strength
80%

Blazing Chrome captures the spirit of 90s arcade action, delivering a visually striking, high-octane run-and-gun experience with challenging boss fights and a retro-futuristic aesthetic reminiscent of Metal Slug.

Why recommended

  • Offers intense side-scrolling action with a focus on shooting, dodging, and utilizing various power-ups, directly channeling the arcade feel of Metal Slug.
  • Criteria — Provides a Challenging Difficulty curve that rewards skill and persistence, with tough boss encounters and demanding level design.
  • Includes a local co-op mode, allowing two players to fight through the robot apocalypse together, enhancing the chaotic fun and teamwork.
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