- Metal Slug Ultimate Collection uses title-specific character options rather than one shared roster.
- Check the selected game first because available characters, modes, and functions can vary by title.
- Use the original control layout before changing display or sound settings.
- Test local or network play after selecting a title and confirming its supported features.
Metal Slug Ultimate Collection Character Select Basics
Metal Slug Ultimate Collection brings ten historical entries into one package: Metal Slug 1 through 7, Metal Slug Advance, and the rare location test version of the original Metal Slug. Because these games were released as separate titles, character select is best understood as a game-by-game feature, not as one universal collection menu.
The official collection page confirms that available modes and functionality vary by title. That distinction matters when you are looking for a specific protagonist, a two-player arrangement, or a particular arcade behavior. Start by selecting the individual game, then inspect its opening menu and player setup screen.
| Selection Layer | What To Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Collection menu | Choose the individual Metal Slug title | Each entry preserves its own structure |
| Main menu | Look for Start, Options, or player setup | Character access may appear before stage selection |
| Player setup | Confirm one-player or two-player input | Network and local functions can vary |
| In-game start | Watch the opening character prompt | Some entries may begin directly after confirmation |
Do not assume that a character selected in one Metal Slug entry carries into another. Treat every included title as its own arcade-style experience.
The safest research method is to record the exact title, menu wording, and player count shown on your screen. This avoids confusing a character option from one entry with a feature from another.
How To Find The Character Select Screen
Character selection is usually easiest to verify during a fresh start. Avoid relying on a saved state at first, because Quick Save and Load can place you beyond the opening setup sequence. Rewind is useful for correcting a mistake, but it should not replace learning the original menu flow.
Choose One Included Title
Select one game from the collection lineup instead of entering a general feature menu. Write down its exact title before testing character options.
Start A New Session
Begin from the title screen and choose the standard start option. Watch for a player, character, or mission prompt before the first stage.
Check Player Inputs
Press the assigned confirmation and direction controls once. If a second player is supported, verify whether the second input is local or network-based.
Record The Result
Note the character name, portrait, selection order, and whether the choice changes gameplay. Keep observations tied to the selected title.
| Test Item | Recommended Action | Result To Record |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh start | Launch from the title screen | First available setup prompt |
| Character input | Confirm and move through displayed options | Number and names of visible choices |
| Player count | Test the available player setup | Local or network option shown |
| Save behavior | Return to the normal menu afterward | Whether the saved state preserves the selection |
A displayed player indicator does not automatically prove that every title has a full character roster. Record only options that are visibly presented in the selected game.
For a clean comparison, repeat the same process with each entry. Use the official Metal Slug Ultimate Collection page for the confirmed lineup and collection features.
Included Titles And Character Select Expectations
The collection’s lineup spans the beginning, evolution, and expansion of the franchise. The official listing identifies the included games, but it does not publish a single consolidated character roster. The table below therefore focuses on what can be verified safely: the title group and the correct way to evaluate its character screen.
Early Entries
Metal Slug, Metal Slug 2, and Metal Slug X preserve the early arcade structure. Check the opening player setup separately for each entry.
Middle Entries
Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug 4, and Metal Slug 5 should be tested independently because their menus and supported functions may differ.
Later Entries
Metal Slug Advance, Metal Slug 6, and Metal Slug 7 belong to different release contexts. Confirm the displayed setup instead of assuming arcade parity.
| Collection Group | Included Titles | Character Select Method |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning | Metal Slug, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug X | Open each title and inspect its initial player flow |
| Evolution | Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug 4, Metal Slug 5 | Compare menus one title at a time |
| Expansion | Metal Slug Advance, Metal Slug 6, Metal Slug 7 | Confirm the displayed controls and player options |
| Special version | Original Metal Slug location test version | Treat it as a separate historical build |
The official page confirms the ten-title lineup and title-dependent functionality, but it does not provide a universal character-select roster. Use visible in-menu information for title-specific claims.
This approach is especially useful for fans comparing the standard original game with the location test version. A historical build may not expose the same menu behavior as the primary release, so keep those observations separate.
Best Setup For Local And Network Play
The collection is designed around modern convenience features while preserving the feel of the original games. The official page lists Quick Save and Load, Rewind, display settings, sound settings, and supported online functions. These tools can make character testing faster, but the selected title remains the first variable to control.
| Setup Goal | Recommended Configuration | Practical Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Learn a character prompt | Fresh start with default controls | Keeps the original flow visible |
| Compare two titles | Use the same display and sound profile | Reduces distractions during testing |
| Practice a difficult opening | Use Rewind after recording the prompt | Allows repeated checks without restarting |
| Resume a confirmed setup | Use Quick Save and Load after selection | Returns to the same test point efficiently |
First verify the character screen with a fresh start. After confirming the result, create a convenient save point and use Rewind only for targeted practice.
For two-player testing, confirm whether the selected version supports local play, network play, or both. The collection page lists one local player and two network players for the overall product information, while also warning that functionality can vary by title. This makes title-level verification essential.
Character Select Verification Checklist:
- Choose the exact Metal Slug title before testing
- Start from a fresh title-screen session
- Record every visible character or player option
- Confirm local or network functionality for that title
- Create a save point only after the setup is verified
Character Select FAQ And Reference Notes
Use this final reference when documenting a roster, preparing a comparison, or troubleshooting why a familiar option does not appear. The central rule is simple: identify the title first, then describe only the selection behavior that you can confirm in that title.
| Question Type | Fast Answer |
|---|---|
| Roster question | Check the selected game’s opening setup screen |
| Multiplayer question | Confirm the title’s supported functionality |
| Version question | Separate standard entries from the location test version |
| Convenience question | Use Quick Save, Load, and Rewind after verification |
When publishing a character list, include the exact Metal Slug entry beside every name or option. This prevents cross-title roster confusion.
Q: Does Metal Slug Ultimate Collection use one shared character select screen?
No shared roster is confirmed by the official collection information. Treat character selection as title-specific and inspect the individual game’s opening setup.
Q: Why can character select differ between included games?
The collection combines separate Metal Slug releases, and the official page states that available features and functionality vary by title.
Q: Can Quick Save or Rewind help with character testing?
Yes. Use a fresh start to verify the original menu flow, then use Quick Save, Load, or Rewind to repeat a confirmed setup.
Q: Where should I verify the included games?
Use the official Metal Slug Ultimate Collection page, which lists Metal Slug 1 through 7, Metal Slug Advance, and the original location test version.