METAL SLUG similar games & best alternatives

METAL SLUG - Trailer
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METAL SLUG

Arcade, Neo Geo AES, PlayStation 3, Linux, Wii, Android, PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, Mac, PlayStation Portable, Neo Geo CD • 2015

Should you play it?

“METAL SLUG ”, the very first title in SNK’s legendary 2D run & gun action shooting game series where all began, returns to the missions on the Steam gaming platform!

What works

  • Nostalgic and classic gameplay
  • Excellent pixel art and animation
  • Local and online co-op support
  • Smooth and responsive controls
  • Humorous and engaging action

Things to keep in mind

  • Short game length
  • Performance issues and lag on some ports
  • Limited story and character customization
  • Online multiplayer population low
  • Some control and ui quirks

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feels the closest overall

  • The Bug Butcher

  • Jamestown

  • Capcom Beat 'Em Up Bundle

  • 99Vidas

  • METAL SLUG 3

  • METAL SLUG X

More expressive

Games that feels like METAL SLUG but with more self-expression and customization

  • CastleStorm

  • Serious Sam Double D XXL

  • Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood & Teef

  • MARVEL Cosmic Invasion

  • Twin Shot Deluxe

  • Borderlands 2

Less intimate

Games that feels like METAL SLUG but with less focus on close relationships

  • R-Type Dimensions EX

  • Super Hydorah

  • Dragon Marked For Death

  • Guns, Gore & Cannoli

  • Neon Inferno

  • Wild Guns Reloaded

Less competitive

Games that feels like METAL SLUG but with less competition against others

  • METAL SLUG 2

  • Contra: Operation Galuga

  • Blazing Chrome

  • Contra Anniversary Collection

  • GIBZ

  • Viking Squad

Choose your own criteria ->

Similarity map

How to use the graph

Similarity map

Each dot is a game placed from its motivation profile relative to this page’s game. Direction shows which motivation differs most; distance along that axis shows how large the gap is.

  • Purple star: this page’s game at the centre — everything is relative to it.
  • Direction: each axis is a main motivational difference vs this game (e.g. more / less competitive).
  • Distance on an axis: how large that difference is (ring scales show +/− points).
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot to preview that game in the panel on the right; click to keep that comparison.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom.

How to read the map This is a polar difference map: direction = which motivation differs, and distance = how much (same units as the sidebar deltas).

METAL SLUG: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Status, Fellowship, Domination. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Intimacy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, Exploration.

Last update: 03/08/2026