Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
My Music Channel @VØLTEKAS
Support This Channel on: Patreon - patreon.com/RetronomiconGames
Visit my site for Reviews and Info: Retronomicon - retronomicongames.com
Gameplay recorded by Retronomicon (NVSGamer)
Metal Slug on the Neo Geo CD is one of the most iconic run-and-gun shooters ever made, originally released by SNK in 1996. It’s a game that perfectly captures the spirit of arcade action—fast, chaotic, and packed with personality. Even today, it stands as one of the defining titles of the Neo Geo library.
The gameplay is simple but incredibly polished. You run, jump, shoot, and throw grenades while blasting through waves of enemy soldiers, vehicles, and bosses. The controls are tight and responsive, making every movement feel precise, which is essential given how quickly things can get intense. The game strikes a great balance between accessibility and challenge—easy to pick up, but tough to master.
One of the biggest highlights is the Metal Slug tank itself. Jumping into the tank adds a whole new layer of gameplay, letting you take more hits and deal massive damage. It’s a fun power boost that breaks up the standard run-and-gun action and gives the game its name and identity.
Visually, Metal Slug is absolutely stunning. The sprite work is some of the best in 2D gaming, with incredibly detailed animations, expressive characters, and tons of small visual touches that bring the world to life. From the way enemies react to being hit to the destruction of environments, everything feels alive and dynamic.
The game also has a strong sense of humor, mixing intense military action with cartoonish animations and exaggerated effects. This gives it a unique tone that separates it from more serious shooters.
On the Neo Geo CD, you get the benefit of arranged CD-quality audio, which enhances the already excellent soundtrack. However, the biggest drawback is the loading times. Like many Neo Geo CD games, Metal Slug suffers from noticeable pauses between areas, which can interrupt the otherwise smooth arcade pacing.
The game is also fairly short, but that’s typical for arcade titles. Its replay value comes from improving your performance, discovering secrets, and playing cooperatively with a second player.
Overall, Metal Slug is a masterpiece of 2D action gaming. Despite the Neo Geo CD’s loading issues, the core experience remains incredibly fun, stylish, and memorable. It’s an essential game for any fan of retro shooters.
Score: 9.5/10
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:24 Mission 1
2:48 Mission 2
7:06 Mission 3
12:02 Mission 4
15:11 Mission 5
18:41 Final Mission
25:15 Ending
#retronomicon #neogeocd #neogeo #metalslug #retrogaming #snk #runandgun #retroreview #arcadegames #classicgames #90sgaming
My Music Channel @VØLTEKAS
Support This Channel on: Patreon - patreon.com/RetronomiconGames
Visit my site for Reviews and Info: Retronomicon - retronomicongames.com
Gameplay recorded by Retronomicon (NVSGamer)
Metal Slug on the Neo Geo CD is one of the most iconic run-and-gun shooters ever made, originally released by SNK in 1996. It’s a game that perfectly captures the spirit of arcade action—fast, chaotic, and packed with personality. Even today, it stands as one of the defining titles of the Neo Geo library.
The gameplay is simple but incredibly polished. You run, jump, shoot, and throw grenades while blasting through waves of enemy soldiers, vehicles, and bosses. The controls are tight and responsive, making every movement feel precise, which is essential given how quickly things can get intense. The game strikes a great balance between accessibility and challenge—easy to pick up, but tough to master.
One of the biggest highlights is the Metal Slug tank itself. Jumping into the tank adds a whole new layer of gameplay, letting you take more hits and deal massive damage. It’s a fun power boost that breaks up the standard run-and-gun action and gives the game its name and identity.
Visually, Metal Slug is absolutely stunning. The sprite work is some of the best in 2D gaming, with incredibly detailed animations, expressive characters, and tons of small visual touches that bring the world to life. From the way enemies react to being hit to the destruction of environments, everything feels alive and dynamic.
The game also has a strong sense of humor, mixing intense military action with cartoonish animations and exaggerated effects. This gives it a unique tone that separates it from more serious shooters.
On the Neo Geo CD, you get the benefit of arranged CD-quality audio, which enhances the already excellent soundtrack. However, the biggest drawback is the loading times. Like many Neo Geo CD games, Metal Slug suffers from noticeable pauses between areas, which can interrupt the otherwise smooth arcade pacing.
The game is also fairly short, but that’s typical for arcade titles. Its replay value comes from improving your performance, discovering secrets, and playing cooperatively with a second player.
Overall, Metal Slug is a masterpiece of 2D action gaming. Despite the Neo Geo CD’s loading issues, the core experience remains incredibly fun, stylish, and memorable. It’s an essential game for any fan of retro shooters.
Score: 9.5/10
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:24 Mission 1
2:48 Mission 2
7:06 Mission 3
12:02 Mission 4
15:11 Mission 5
18:41 Final Mission
25:15 Ending
#retronomicon #neogeocd #neogeo #metalslug #retrogaming #snk #runandgun #retroreview #arcadegames #classicgames #90sgaming
