Run ‘n gun arcade games were a staple of the 90s arcade scene, offering players a combination of challenging gameplay, explosive visuals, and satisfying combat. Similar to side-scrolling shoot ’em ups, but a bit slower paced by comparison, this genre was ideal for arcades, as their brutal difficulty ensured that gamers would continue to drop quarters until the credits were reached. In the pantheon of excellent arcade run ‘n guns, one franchise is often recalled more fondly than others: Metal Slug. In 2026, this storied series turns 30 years old, so let’s take a quick look back at how this fantastic franchise came to be.
The Slug Comes to Life
Metal Slug was developed by Nazca Corporation, a creative studio formed by ex-employees of arcade and pachinko manufacturer, Irem. Though not generally known by name, retro gamers should be familiar with some of Irem’s most popular titles, namely the classic beat ’em up, Kung-Fu Master, and the beloved shoot ’em up, R-Type. Unfortunately, Irem ceased creation of video games in 1994, leading several developers to spin off and form Nazca Corporation.
Due to their experience working on other run ‘n gun games like In the Hunt and GunForce II, Nazca Corporation looked to create a new title in the same genre, but one that was a bit more methodical in its pacing. Inspired by the animated films of legendary director Hayao Miyazaki, they focused on hand-drawn visuals, a goofy and comedic vibe, and accessible controls.
At first, Metal Slug mostly put players in control of a bulky tank, battling through several brief but explosive missions. However, after several play tests around Osaka, Japan, the game was completely overhauled. Though the story remained the same, the new version removed the emphasis on tanks, extended the level length, and added more platforming elements.
A Metal Success
When Metal Slug was published by SNK and released in arcades circa 1996, it was met with a somewhat muted response. Though players enjoyed the humor and evocative visuals, they felt the replay value was limited, especially considering the high difficulty and short gameplay length. Still, Metal Slug was massively popular, and work began on ports for several home consoles, including the Neo Geo, Sega Saturn, and Sony PlayStation. At one point, a version for the Game Boy Advance was in development as well, but was ultimately canceled.
A startling success in and out of arcades, it was immediately clear that Nazca Corporation and SNK had a winner on their hands, and it wasn’t long before sequels and spin-offs started to crop up. A direct sequel, Metal Slug 2, was released in 1998, followed by Metal Slug 3 in 2000, which is generally seen as the best entry in the franchise. The series eventually wrapped up in 2008 with the release of Metal Slug 7 on the Nintendo DS, but remakes and spin-offs have continued.
Most recently, a tactical strategy game, Metal Slug Tactics, was released to decent fanfare, but many fans still hold out hope for a Metal Slug 8 sometime soon. Either way, we can look back fondly on the original Metal Slug and Nazca Corporation’s appreciation for run ‘n gun gameplay, as it birthed one of the best arcade staples of the 90s, an action-packed romp that is still just as fun to play today as it was 30 years ago.
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