Metal Slug (1996)

By 1996, arcades had seen plenty of run-and-gun shooters, but Metal Slug showed up with so much personality it felt like it had its own punchline. Released for SNK’s Neo-Geo hardware, the game immediately stood out thanks to its beautiful, oversized sprites, absurdly fluid animation, and a sense of humor that felt completely unhinged in the best possible way. It was cartoony warfare at its best, with tanks waddling like toys and enemies reacted like they were auditioning for slapstick comedy.

At its core, Metal Slug is a run-and-gun shooter, but calling it “simple” would be a crime against pixel art, and the SNK franchise. Every explosion bursts with fat pixel personality, every soldier has exaggerated reactions, and every background is packed with tiny visual jokes most players never notice on their first dozen runs.

Fun trivia: many of the game’s sprites were animated frame by frame by hand, often using far more frames than technically necessary — purely because the developers wanted it to look that good. The result is animation so smooth it still embarrasses modern games.

The Neo-Geo created a gold standard. And if you were lucky enough to own an AES Home Console you got to experience the perfect visuals and booming sound at home — assuming you could afford it (I couldn't). Neo-Geo cartridges were famously expensive, sometimes costing as much as an entire console, which only added to their mystique. Metal Slug wasn’t just about represented a showcase of arcade craftsmanship.

The dev's really spared no expense when it came to humor — one of Metal Slug’s defining traits. Enemies panic, surrender, or get launched into the air in ridiculous ways, while prisoners of war enthusiastically cheer you on before tossing power-ups, often looking like they’ve had a very long day in captivity. Even the announcer’s iconic weapon callouts feel like they’re in on the joke. Despite all the explosions, Metal Slug never takes itself too seriously, and that playful tone is a huge reason it’s still beloved.

Today, Metal Slug stands as a reminder of a time when arcade games were unapologetically expressive. It’s loud, chaotic, beautiful, and endlessly replayable — the kind of game where losing a credit doesn’t feel frustrating, just funny (kind of, lol). On Neo-Geo, it remains a museum-quality example of pixel art at its peak, proving that sometimes the most timeless games are the ones that explode the hardest… and make you smile while doing it. And if you own a Sente, it's easier than ever to play — through the STEAM Metal Slug Triple Pack, Metal Slug (PC) Collection, or the good ol' fashioned way.

Check out this awesome YouTube video on the animation of Metal Slug:

Check out the Arcade Cabinet Info & Specs on KLOV:

Metal Slug - Videogame by SNK | Museum of the Game

I truly hope you enjoyed this week's article!

Sincerely,

—Jayde