Marco Rossi
A regular soldier and one of the principal playable characters.
Documented for this version
Joystick | Move the character Use the directional control to move and aim. |
|---|---|
A | Fire The standard arcade attack button. |
B | Jump Jump over hazards and enemy attacks. |
C | Throw a grenade Grenades use a limited stock. |
Joystick Up | Enter or use a vehicle Approach an available vehicle and use the upward direction when prompted. |
Arcade control panels can use different physical button layouts.
Vehicle-specific attacks depend on the vehicle being operated.
Two-player controls use the corresponding second-player controls on the cabinet.
How it plays
The game uses a side-scrolling perspective. The objective is to clear a sequence of stages, rescue hostages, collect weapons and items, destroy enemy machines, and defeat a boss at the end of each mission.
Players move, jump, fire in eight directions, throw grenades, and enter usable vehicles such as the SV-001 Metal Slug. The campaign is designed for one or two players, with limited continues and lives. Weapon pickups provide temporary ammunition, while score items and rescued hostages reward exploration and accuracy.
Plan your run
Keep moving, but avoid jumping blindly into enemy fire. Short controlled bursts are safer than standing still, and grenades are especially effective against clustered infantry and exposed boss targets.
Rescue hostages when the route is safe and conserve powerful weapons for armored enemies and bosses. Learn the timing of each stage’s ambushes, use vehicles as temporary protection, and leave a vehicle before it is destroyed if the exit is safe.
Meet the cast
A regular soldier and one of the principal playable characters.
A skilled soldier and recurring member of the Peregrine Falcons.
A skilled intelligence operative and playable soldier.
A Peregrine Falcons soldier and playable character.
The central military antagonist and commander of the Rebel Army.
A recurring Rebel Army sergeant who appears as a formidable mid-stage enemy.
Before you begin
Use crouching and short jumps to reduce exposure to enemy fire.
Collect weapon pickups only when their ammunition can be used effectively.
Memorize boss attack cycles rather than spending all grenades immediately.
Metal Slug X is a run-and-gun action game developed and published by SNK for arcade play. It is a substantially rebalanced and rearranged version of Metal Slug 2, using the same broad campaign while changing enemy placement, weapon timing, item locations, and environmental effects. Players guide a soldier through tightly packed stages filled with infantry, vehicles, traps, and large bosses. The game combines precise shooting with constant movement and short bursts of platforming. Its detailed animation and energetic humor were widely praised, while its difficulty remained demanding. Metal Slug X became one of the most recognized entries in SNK’s arcade catalog and is often regarded as the definitive arcade form of the second game’s design.
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