Because this alliance could only stand to further strengthen Morden's military power, Marco Rossi, Fio Germi, Tarma Roving, and Eri Kasamoto set out to dissolve both parties.

Metal Slug maintains many features from the 2D entries; characters use an arsenal of various guns, grenades and explosives, and vehicles.

The game also introduces full three-dimensional movement to the series to coincide with its 3D presentation, which uses super deformed characters.

The game also includes the option to customize the titular Metal Slug to their own liking, with the ability to switch out its "core", treads, weapons, and armor.

[2] Edge scored a 5/10: "It's a glimpse of something special waiting to happen, of a no-nonsense attitude towards combat that could be developed into a series worthy of the torch that it has chosen to bear".