Metal Slug

Metal Slug is the run-and-gun arcade classic where one soldier takes on a whole army. Run, jump and shoot through six missions full of soldiers, tanks, helicopters and huge bosses, throw grenades, free the prisoners for extra weapons and climb into the Metal Slug, the little tank with a cannon on top. The hand-drawn animation and the explosions still look great today. This is the 1996 Neo Geo arcade version, and it plays right here in your browser with no download.

How to play

1. Press Play under the title picture and wait a moment while the Neo Geo machine starts.
2. Press Coin (V on a keyboard) to add a credit, then Start (Enter) to begin.
3. Run with the arrow keys and shoot with Z. Hold up to shoot upward, and press down while jumping to shoot down.
4. Jump with X and throw a grenade with C.
5. Free the tied-up prisoners. They thank you with new weapons, extra grenades or points.
6. Jump into the Metal Slug tank when you find it. It shoots with Z and fires its cannon with C.

Controls

Computer: arrow keys move and aim, Z shoots, X jumps, C throws a grenade, V adds a coin and Enter is Start. Move the mouse over the game to show the bar with pause, restart, sound, save state, load state and full screen buttons.

Phone and tablet: an on-screen pad appears under the game. The cross on the left moves and aims, A shoots, B jumps, C throws a grenade, and the Coin and Start buttons begin the game.

A USB or Bluetooth gamepad also works.

Cheats

Press the magic wand button next to the full screen button above the game. A small panel opens over the game, and the game waits until you close it. You can switch on Unlimited lives, Unlimited bombs, Invincible and Infinite time. The cheats work for player 1 and start a few seconds after the machine has booted. Reloading the page turns them off again.

Weapons

• H: heavy machine gun, a fast stream of bullets.
• R: rocket launcher, slow but powerful rockets.
• F: flame shot that burns through groups of enemies.
• S: shotgun with a short, very strong blast.
• B: a box of extra grenades.

Special weapons have limited ammunition. When it runs out, you are back to the pistol, which never runs out.

About Metal Slug

Metal Slug was made by Nazca and released by SNK for the Neo Geo arcade system in 1996. Its mix of fast action, humour and detailed pixel art made it a favourite in arcades, and it started a long series of sequels.

Frequently asked questions

Is Metal Slug free to play?

Yes. You can play it free in your browser on Yes This Game, with no download and no sign-up.

Can I play Metal Slug on my phone?

Yes. On a phone or tablet an on-screen pad with a cross and A, B, C, Coin and Start buttons appears under the game.

How do I use the cheats?

Press the magic wand button next to the full screen button and switch on unlimited lives, unlimited bombs, invincibility or infinite time.

Why does the game take a moment to start?

The game runs on a copy of the Neo Geo arcade machine, which first starts up and checks itself like the real hardware did.

Which version of Metal Slug is this?

It is the original Neo Geo arcade version of Metal Slug from 1996.