It was only after play-testing that the developers decided to fuse this tank-based shoot ‘em up gameplay with playable human soldiers, which opened up way more possibilities in game styles.Īnd so, the first Metal Slug game was born and arcades everywhere were introduced to Marco and Tarma as they shoot their way against a rogue faction looking to spread some sort of new world order. Initially, it was only supposed to star the titular tank. Many have called this game ‘Metal Slug Zero’, though it has more of Contra’s flavour of action compared to Metal Slug’s more cartoony antics.Īnd with those two games serving as the foundation, the team at Irem began making Metal Slug, which began as a land-based take on In The Hunt. Gunforce II, on the other hand, is almost like a beta version of the Metal Slug formula, as you play as a gun-toting soldier battling a rival army and aliens, all while picking up new weapons and getting into super powered vehicles. At one glance, you’d be remiss to think that it is Metal Slug, since the sprite-based aesthetics are exactly the same. The former is a submarine-based shoot ‘em up, where up to two players traverse under the sea against other submersibles, underwater mechs, and airplanes. The general gameplay styling of the Metal Slug series begins with two games, In The Hunt and Gunforce II.

While every Metal Slug is available on modern platforms, the franchise deserves to be revived in some shape or form.

With 2021 marking the 25th anniversary of Metal Slug, it’s sad to think that there isn’t a new game or even some sort of remastered collection on the way.

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