- Metal Slug Ultimate Collection chronological order follows each included title’s original series debut.
- Start with Metal Slug, then continue through the numbered entries and special releases.
- Metal Slug X belongs between Metal Slug 2 and Metal Slug 3 in the release sequence.
- Metal Slug Advance appears after Metal Slug 5 and before Metal Slug 6.
- Location Test Version is a historical extra rather than a standard numbered sequel.
Metal Slug Ultimate Collection Chronological Order
The Metal Slug Ultimate Collection chronological order is best understood as a release-history sequence. It arranges the collection according to when each included title first appeared, rather than treating the games as a single uninterrupted story campaign.
The compilation includes ten games or versions in total: nine released entries from the franchise’s history and a rare Location Test Version. This structure gives newcomers a practical path through the series while allowing longtime fans to revisit the arcade, handheld, and console milestones in a logical order.
Video Highlights:
- The collection celebrates the franchise’s 30-year history in 2026.
- The lineup includes the original game through Metal Slug 7, plus Metal Slug X and Metal Slug Advance.
- The Location Test Version is included as a rarely available historical extra.
- Modern features include online co-op, gallery content, rankings, and accessibility options.
| Order | Included title | Original format | Chronology note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metal Slug | NEOGEO MVS | The starting point for the main series |
| 2 | Metal Slug 2 | NEOGEO MVS | The next numbered arcade entry |
| 3 | Metal Slug X | NEOGEO MVS | A revised release placed after Metal Slug 2 |
| 4 | Metal Slug 3 | NEOGEO MVS | Continues the main arcade sequence |
| 5 | Metal Slug 4 | NEOGEO MVS | The next numbered installment |
| 6 | Metal Slug 5 | NEOGEO MVS | The final numbered arcade entry before Advance |
| 7 | Metal Slug Advance | Game Boy Advance | Handheld entry in the collection |
| 8 | Metal Slug 6 | PlayStation 2 | Later mainline entry |
| 9 | Metal Slug 7 | Nintendo DS | The latest numbered game included |
| 10 | Location Test Version | Arcade prototype | Historical bonus version with no standard public release |
The most important ordering detail is the position of Metal Slug X. It is not Metal Slug 2.5 in the table, but it belongs between Metal Slug 2 and Metal Slug 3 when organizing the collection by release history.
Use the sequence above for a first playthrough. If you want to study development history, keep the Location Test Version for last because it represents an unusual archival release rather than a normal sequel.
How to Read the Collection Timeline
The collection covers more than one hardware generation, so chronological order is more useful than platform order. Sorting only by system would separate related arcade entries and make the franchise’s progression harder to follow.
The official lineup moves from the original NEOGEO MVS releases into a handheld installment, then later console and portable entries. This makes the list valuable for players who want to see how the series expanded beyond its earliest arcade identity.
| Timeline group | Titles | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Early arcade foundation | Metal Slug, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug X | Establishes the core run-and-gun identity |
| Later arcade sequence | Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug 4, Metal Slug 5 | Extends the numbered arcade history |
| Handheld transition | Metal Slug Advance | Shows the series in a Game Boy Advance release |
| Later numbered entries | Metal Slug 6, Metal Slug 7 | Represents the collection’s latest standard installments |
| Archival material | Location Test Version | Preserves a rarely accessible version of the franchise’s history |
Release order versus story order
For this collection, release order is the clearest available organizational method. The official material identifies the games and their original platforms, but it does not present a separate story chronology for arranging the titles.
That distinction matters because a release-history guide should not claim that every entry follows a simple in-universe timeline. Instead, use chronological order to understand the franchise’s publishing history, mechanical evolution, and changing hardware targets.
For New Players
Start with Metal Slug and continue down the numbered release sequence. This approach introduces the collection in a straightforward historical order.
For Series Fans
Compare Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug X, and Metal Slug 3 in sequence to examine how the early arcade branch develops.
For Collectors
Save the Location Test Version for a dedicated archival session after completing the publicly released titles.
The collection is designed as a celebration of franchise history, so platform changes are part of the timeline. Do not treat the Game Boy Advance or Nintendo DS entries as interchangeable with the arcade releases.
Step-by-Step Play Order
Follow these steps to use the chronology as a practical play plan. The sequence works whether you are sampling one title from each era or working through the full lineup.
Begin with Metal Slug
Start with the original Metal Slug to establish the series’ basic visual language, pacing, and run-and-gun structure. Treat it as the foundation for the rest of the collection.
Move to Metal Slug 2
Continue to Metal Slug 2 next. This preserves the early numbered progression and gives you a direct comparison point for the following revised release.
Play Metal Slug X
Place Metal Slug X immediately after Metal Slug 2. Its position is essential when following release chronology, even though the title uses a different naming convention.
Complete Metal Slug 3 Through Metal Slug 5
Continue through Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug 4, and Metal Slug 5 in order. These entries form the next major section of the numbered arcade sequence.
Finish with Advance, 6, 7, and the Location Test Version
Play Metal Slug Advance, then Metal Slug 6 and Metal Slug 7. End with the Location Test Version if you want the final item to function as an archival bonus.
| Play stage | Recommended focus | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation | Metal Slug | Learn the collection’s basic identity |
| Early expansion | Metal Slug 2 and Metal Slug X | Compare the first major sequence |
| Arcade continuation | Metal Slug 3 through Metal Slug 5 | Follow the numbered history |
| Platform variety | Metal Slug Advance | Experience the handheld entry |
| Later history | Metal Slug 6 and Metal Slug 7 | Complete the standard included lineup |
| Archive session | Location Test Version | Explore the rare historical material |
The collection also supports a flexible modern approach. Quick save, quick load, and rewind can help players manage difficult sections without changing the recommended order. Score attack and time attack offer reasons to revisit earlier entries after the first chronological run.
The included games originated on different systems. Differences in controls, presentation, and release context are part of the historical experience, so avoid judging every entry only by the standards of the earliest arcade titles.
Collection Features That Support Chronological Play
The modern compilation adds features intended to make the historical lineup easier to approach. These options are especially useful when moving between arcade titles, the handheld release, later console material, and the Location Test Version.
| Feature | How it supports the timeline | Recommended use |
|---|---|---|
| Online co-op | Makes selected titles easier to experience with another player | Use when comparing entries with a friend |
| Gallery mode | Adds context for the series’ visual history | Review it between major timeline groups |
| Online rankings | Encourages score-focused revisits | Return after completing the chronological run |
| Quick save | Lets you pause progress in longer sessions | Helpful when sampling several titles |
| Quick load | Reduces setup time after a failed attempt | Use while learning unfamiliar stages |
| Rewind | Allows short corrections during action | Useful for accessibility and experimentation |
| Combat School Mode | Introduces basic controls and techniques | Recommended for newcomers |
| Score attack and time attack | Adds replay goals beyond standard progression | Best after finishing the first pass |
Available features and modes may vary by title. For that reason, treat the feature list as a collection-level overview rather than assuming every option appears identically in all ten included games.
The compilation is scheduled for release in 2027 across Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. Price information remains to be announced, and the listed player count is one to two.
Use Combat School Mode before beginning the timeline if you are new to the series. Then play the standard releases in order and reserve rankings, time attack, and the Location Test Version for post-completion sessions.
Chronological Order Checklist and FAQ
Use this checklist to keep the collection organized during a full run. It separates the standard release sequence from the archival bonus material.
Chronological Playthrough Checklist:
- Start with Metal Slug
- Play Metal Slug 2 before Metal Slug X
- Continue through Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug 4, and Metal Slug 5
- Play Metal Slug Advance before Metal Slug 6 and Metal Slug 7
- Finish with the Location Test Version as archival content
The official Metal Slug Ultimate Collection announcement confirms the included lineup, original platforms, collection features, planned platforms, and release information.
Q: What is the Metal Slug Ultimate Collection chronological order?
Play Metal Slug, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug X, Metal Slug 3, Metal Slug 4, Metal Slug 5, Metal Slug Advance, Metal Slug 6, Metal Slug 7, and then the Location Test Version.
Q: Should Metal Slug X be played before or after Metal Slug 2?
Play Metal Slug X after Metal Slug 2. This placement follows the original release sequence used for the collection timeline.
Q: Where does Metal Slug Advance fit in the order?
Metal Slug Advance comes after Metal Slug 5 and before Metal Slug 6. It is the collection’s handheld entry from the Game Boy Advance.
Q: Is the Location Test Version a normal sequel?
No. It is a rare historical version that was never officially released to the public in the standard way. Playing it last keeps the main release sequence clear.
For the clearest first experience, follow the nine publicly released titles in sequence and use the Location Test Version as a closing archival feature.