- Metal Slug Ultimate Collection 2027 brings together ten entries from the arcade and handheld history of the series.
- Included games span the original Metal Slug through Metal Slug 7, plus Metal Slug Advance.
- Modern features include quick save, quick load, rewind, score attack, and time attack.
- New-player support comes through Combat School Mode, which teaches basic controls and techniques.
- Platforms announced for the collection include PS5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, Switch, and PC via Steam.
Metal Slug Ultimate Collection 2027 Overview
Metal Slug Ultimate Collection 2027 is a compilation built around the long-running run-and-gun franchise. The announcement published on September 9, 2026, confirms a ten-game package designed to introduce the series to new players while giving longtime fans a broad historical lineup in one release.
The collection covers major mainline entries, a handheld game, and a rare Location Test Version that was never officially released. That combination makes the package more than a simple arcade rerelease: it is also a compact reference point for the evolution of Metal Slug across different hardware generations.
Treat the collection as a series archive as well as a playthrough package. The lineup is most valuable when you compare how mechanics, pacing, enemy patterns, and presentation change from one entry to the next.
Classic Arcade Lineup
Includes the original Metal Slug, Metal Slug 2, Metal Slug X, and Metal Slug 3, establishing the foundation of the franchise.
Later Mainline Entries
Metal Slug 4, Metal Slug 5, Metal Slug 6, and Metal Slug 7 extend the series across later arcade and console generations.
Rare and Handheld Content
Metal Slug Advance adds a handheld perspective, while the Location Test Version offers historically unusual material.
Announced Platforms
The collection is announced for five modern platform categories. The PC edition is planned for Steam, while Nintendo’s package includes both Switch 2 and Switch.
| Platform | Availability | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation 5 | Announced | Living-room arcade play |
| Xbox Series | Announced | Console players using current Xbox hardware |
| Switch 2 | Announced | Portable or docked play on newer Nintendo hardware |
| Switch | Announced | Existing Nintendo handheld and console owners |
| PC via Steam | Announced | Desktop play and digital library access |
The platform announcement establishes where the collection is planned to appear, but it does not by itself confirm that every feature will work identically across versions. The official overview specifically notes that available features, modes, and content can vary by title.
Included Games and Historical Lineup
The strongest reason to follow this collection is its breadth. The confirmed lineup moves from the 1996 NEOGEO MVS original to Metal Slug 7, released for Nintendo DS in 2008. It also includes Metal Slug Advance and a Location Test Version that has rarely been available to the public.
The list below separates the games by their historical role rather than ranking them. Each title represents a different stage in the franchise’s development, and the collection is structured to let players experience that progression directly.
The Location Test Version should be viewed as archival content rather than a standard numbered sequel. Its inclusion is notable because it was never officially released as a conventional public game.
| Included Title | Original Hardware | Year | Collection Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Slug | NEOGEO MVS | 1996 | Original arcade foundation |
| Metal Slug 2 | NEOGEO MVS | 1998 | Early mainline follow-up |
| Metal Slug X | NEOGEO MVS | 1999 | Mainline-era arcade entry |
| Metal Slug 3 | NEOGEO MVS | 2000 | Core arcade-era title |
| Metal Slug 4 | NEOGEO MVS | 2002 | Later arcade installment |
| Metal Slug 5 | NEOGEO MVS | 2003 | Later arcade installment |
| Metal Slug Advance | Game Boy Advance | 2004 | Handheld series entry |
| Metal Slug 6 | PlayStation 2 | 2006 | Console-era mainline entry |
| Metal Slug 7 | Nintendo DS | 2008 | Handheld mainline entry |
| Location Test Version | Rare archival version | Unreleased | Historically uncommon material |
A Practical Order for First-Time Players
Newcomers have two sensible ways to approach the collection:
- Release-order route: Start with Metal Slug and move down the confirmed list. This makes changes across the franchise easier to notice.
- Arcade-first route: Play the NEOGEO MVS titles before moving to Metal Slug Advance, Metal Slug 6, Metal Slug 7, and the Location Test Version.
- Variety route: Alternate arcade and handheld entries to avoid playing too many similar campaigns in sequence.
For most players, release order is the clearest starting point. It creates a natural historical path and helps Combat School Mode establish the basics before more demanding stages and patterns appear.
Modern Features and Play Modes
The collection adds quality-of-life tools intended to make older run-and-gun games easier to revisit. Quick save and quick load reduce the pressure of repeating long sections, while rewind allows players to reverse the action by a few seconds and attempt a difficult moment again.
These tools are especially useful for players who did not grow up with arcade-style checkpoint design. They do not replace learning enemy timing or stage layouts, but they make practice more flexible and reduce the cost of experimentation.
Use rewind as a training tool instead of relying on it for every mistake. First identify why a jump, dodge, or attack failed, then replay the moment with a deliberate adjustment.
| Feature or Mode | Primary Purpose | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Save | Preserve progress at a convenient point | Use before difficult sections or extended sessions |
| Quick Load | Return to a saved position | Practice a stage without restarting from the beginning |
| Rewind | Reverse the action by a few seconds | Correct a recent mistake and test another response |
| Score Attack | Focus on scoring performance | Replay familiar stages and optimize decisions |
| Time Attack | Focus on completion speed | Improve routing after learning the level layout |
| Combat School Mode | Teach controls and techniques | Start here if the franchise is new to you |
| Gallery Mode | Present additional collection material | Explore after completing an initial playthrough |
| Online Rankings | Compare performance results | Use score and time modes for longer-term goals |
The announcement groups Gallery Mode and Online Rankings among the collection’s additional features. Their strongest value will likely appear after players finish the campaigns and begin chasing better scores or faster clears. Since features can vary by title, check the final version’s in-game menus for exact availability.
How to Use the Modes Efficiently
- Begin with Combat School Mode to establish the basic controls and series-specific techniques.
- Play a campaign using quick save only at meaningful practice points.
- Use rewind selectively when testing a new approach to hazards or enemy formations.
- Return to completed stages through Score Attack or Time Attack.
- Track personal improvement through the available online ranking functions.
Step-by-Step Starting Route
A structured opening route helps prevent the collection from becoming an unfocused tour of menus. The following plan balances accessibility, historical context, and replay value without assuming prior Metal Slug experience.
Run-and-gun stages can become demanding quickly, especially when enemy patterns overlap with environmental hazards. Start with short practice sessions and use the collection’s assistive features when repetition becomes frustrating.
Learn the Controls
Enter Combat School Mode before committing to a full campaign. Focus on movement, firing, jumping, weapon use, and the techniques the mode presents.
Start with the Original
Play Metal Slug first to understand the franchise’s baseline pacing, enemy placement, vehicles, and stage structure.
Build a Save Point
Create a quick save before a section that consistently causes trouble. This gives you a repeatable practice point without replaying the entire stage.
Compare the Lineup
Move through the remaining mainline and handheld entries, noting changes in stage design, presentation, and combat rhythm.
Replay for Scores or Time
After completing selected campaigns, use Score Attack and Time Attack to turn familiarity into measurable goals.
Suggested Progression Goals
| Phase | Main Objective | Useful Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Orientation | Learn the control scheme and basic techniques | Combat School Mode |
| First Campaign | Complete the original Metal Slug | Quick save |
| Skill Building | Practice difficult enemy and hazard sections | Quick load and rewind |
| Historical Tour | Sample the remaining confirmed games | Campaign selection |
| Long-Term Replay | Improve scores or completion times | Score Attack, Time Attack, Online Rankings |
First-Session Checklist:
- Complete the introductory lessons in Combat School Mode
- Play the opening stages of the original Metal Slug
- Create a quick save before a difficult practice section
- Test rewind during a failed jump or enemy encounter
- Record a first score or completion time for future comparison
This route keeps the first session manageable while exposing the collection’s most important features. Players who already know the series can shorten the tutorial phase and move directly into release-order comparisons or score-focused challenges.
Replay Value, Collection Goals, and FAQ
The compilation’s replay value comes from combining ten distinct pieces of Metal Slug history with flexible practice tools. A first playthrough can focus on seeing the campaigns, while later sessions can use Score Attack, Time Attack, Gallery Mode, and Online Rankings to support more specialized goals.
A useful long-term plan is to complete each title once, revisit the stages that caused the most trouble, and then select one performance target at a time. Chasing scores and times is easier when the goal is narrow and measurable rather than trying to optimize everything at once.
Create separate goals for completion, score, and speed. A safe campaign clear requires different decisions from a fast run or a high-score attempt.
| Goal Type | Starting Target | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Collection Tour | Sample every included title | Complete each campaign |
| Skill Practice | Master one difficult stage section | Use quick save and rewind |
| Score Improvement | Establish a first recorded score | Replay through Score Attack |
| Speed Improvement | Record an initial clear time | Refine routes in Time Attack |
| Historical Study | Compare arcade and handheld entries | Note differences after each game |
Official Announcement
For the confirmed lineup, announced platforms, and feature overview, review the Metal Slug Ultimate Collection announcement published on September 9, 2026. Feature availability may differ between included titles, so final menus and platform information should be checked as additional details become available.
Q: What games are included in Metal Slug Ultimate Collection 2027?
The announced package includes 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 a rare Location Test Version.
Q: Which platforms are planned for the collection?
The collection is announced for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Switch 2, Switch, and PC via Steam.
Q: Does the collection include modern accessibility or practice features?
The announced feature list includes quick save, quick load, rewind, Score Attack, Time Attack, and Combat School Mode. Available features can vary by title.
Q: What is Combat School Mode used for?
Combat School Mode is designed to teach basic controls and techniques, making it a useful starting point for players who are new to the Metal Slug series.