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*** And in one of mission 4's secret paths there's enemies that look like [[NausicaaOfTheValleyOfTheWind Nausicaa's]] Ohmu. They are not as benevolent as in the movie.
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** Made even worse in the iPhone/Android version. Whereas in ''1'', ''2'', and ''X'' you have 20 credits, in ''3'', there's just five. Luckily, the iPhone versions of the games have "Mission Mode" where you can instantly go to any level you've already reached. Except that mission 3 is glitched, and won't unlock in that mode unless you reach and unlock mission 4. Meaning you HAVE to beat at least level 2 and 3 in one go.
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* BigCreepyCrawlies: ''Metal Slug 3'' in particular has a bunch of these, including locusts, crabs, snails, and [[CreepyCentipedes caterpillars]].
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* BigCreepyCrawlies: ''Metal Slug 3'' in particular has a bunch of these, including locusts, crabs, snails, and [[CreepyCentipedes caterpillars]].caterpillars]], and [[NausicaaOfTheValleyOfTheWind Ohmu]].
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''MISSION ALL OVER!''
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Removing Nightmare Fuel potholes. NF should be on YMMV only.
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* TheManyDeathsOfYou: Besides getting shot or stabbed, there are countless sprite animations for death, ranging from (while in fat mode) bursting like a balloon to getting sucked up by flying tentacle aliens to the various deaths turned into zombies or mummies! Lots of these can result in some pretty severe NightmareFuel.
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* TheManyDeathsOfYou: Besides getting shot or stabbed, there are countless sprite animations for death, ranging from (while in fat mode) bursting like a balloon to getting sucked up by flying tentacle aliens to the various deaths turned into zombies or mummies! Lots of these can result in some pretty severe NightmareFuel.feelings of terror.
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\"Everything\'s Worse With Bears\" clean-up
* BearsAreBadNews:
** Subverted - the only bear to be found in the entire series is on a secret alternate path in Mission 3 of Metal Slug 4 (a snowy mountain)... and ''he helps you'', attacking the intruding Yeti-like monsters that infest this route. If you shoot him a few times he'll stop helping and leave, though.
** And played straight in that if you stand in the attack hitbox of his claw swipes, you die (with the same animation as though you were knifed).
** Subverted - the only bear to be found in the entire series is on a secret alternate path in Mission 3 of Metal Slug 4 (a snowy mountain)... and ''he helps you'', attacking the intruding Yeti-like monsters that infest this route. If you shoot him a few times he'll stop helping and leave, though.
** And played straight in that if you stand in the attack hitbox of his claw swipes, you die (with the same animation as though you were knifed).
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* EverythingsWorseWithBears: Subverted - the only bear to be found in the entire series is on a secret alternate path in Mission 3 of Metal Slug 4 (a snowy mountain)... and ''he helps you'', attacking the intruding Yeti-like monsters that infest this route. If you shoot him a few times he'll stop helping and leave, though.
** And played straight in that if you stand in the attack hitbox of his claw swipes, you die (with the same animation as though you were knifed).
** And played straight in that if you stand in the attack hitbox of his claw swipes, you die (with the same animation as though you were knifed).
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* WellIntentionedExtremist: General Morden himself for the entire series and Oguma in ''Metal Slug 3D''.
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* RatedMForManly: Let's see. StuffBlowingUp? Check. LargeHam announcer? Check. CrowningMusicOfAwesome? Check. MoreDakka? Check. Just as NintendoHard as {{Contra}}? Check. [[IkariWarriors Ralf, Clark, and Leona]] from TheKingOfFighters being included in future Metal Slug games? Check. This series will surely make your NeoGeo grow some balls and chest hair as well as a beard, and will make you a man.
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* RatedMForManly: Let's see. StuffBlowingUp? Check. LargeHam announcer? AnnouncerChatter? Check. CrowningMusicOfAwesome? Check. MoreDakka? Check. Just as NintendoHard as {{Contra}}? ''VideoGame/{{Contra}}''? Check. [[IkariWarriors Ralf, Clark, and Leona]] from TheKingOfFighters ''VideoGame/TheKingOfFighters'' being included in future Metal Slug ''VideoGame/MetalSlug'' games? Check. This series will surely make your NeoGeo grow some balls and chest hair as well as a beard, and will make you a man.
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* RatedMForManly: Let's see. StuffBlowingUp? Check. LargeHam announcer? Check. CrowningMusicOfAwesome? Check. MoreDakka? Check. Just as NintendoHard as {{Contra}}? Check. [[IkariWarriors Ralf, Clark, and Leona]] from TheKingOfFighters being included in future Metal Slug games? Check. [[RuleOfCool Yeah, it's that kind of game.]]
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* RatedMForManly: Let's see. StuffBlowingUp? Check. LargeHam announcer? Check. CrowningMusicOfAwesome? Check. MoreDakka? Check. Just as NintendoHard as {{Contra}}? Check. [[IkariWarriors Ralf, Clark, and Leona]] from TheKingOfFighters being included in future Metal Slug games? Check. [[RuleOfCool Yeah, it's that kind of game.]]This series will surely make your NeoGeo grow some balls and chest hair as well as a beard, and will make you a man.
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Good Looking Privates now only deals with in-story acknowledgement that the person is better looking because of the uniform. Re-add with correct context if this example fits.
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* GoodLookingPrivates: Eri, Fio, Nadia ''and'' Leona.
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* BigEater: Nadia is a supermodel who has joined the military to burn off all the food she eats because she can't control her appetite.
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* BigEater: Nadia is a supermodel who has joined the military to burn off all the food she eats eats, because she can't control her appetite.
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* EvilKnockoff: The Ptolemic Army from Metal Slug 5 stole the blueprints of the titular tanks which allowed them to create their own bastardized Metal Slugs. In fact the first boss is a titanic Metal Slug dubbed [[MetalGearSolid Metal Rear.]]
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* EvilKnockoff: The Ptolemic Army from Metal Slug 5 stole the blueprints of the titular tanks which allowed them to create their own bastardized Metal Slugs. In fact the first boss is a titanic Metal Slug dubbed [[MetalGearSolid [[Franchise/MetalGear Metal Rear.]]
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* LoadBearingBoss: Amadeus in ''VideoGame/MetalSlug 4''.
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** Metal Slug XX added Leona,but you have to purchase her online to be available.
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** Metal Slug XX added Leona,but Leona, but you have to purchase her online to be available.
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** Aside from the upgraded game engine, which helped deal with the slowdown, X also introduced the Iron Lizard, Drop Shot, Super Grenade and Enemy Chaser weapons. It also gave us the BIG versions of the Original weapons (Heavy Machine Gun, Rocket Launcher, Shotgun, Flame Shot, and even the Laser Gun.)
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** Aside from the upgraded game engine, which helped deal with the slowdown, X also introduced the Iron Lizard, Drop Shot, Super Grenade and Enemy Chaser weapons. It also gave us the BIG versions of the Original weapons (Heavy Machine Gun, Rocket Launcher, Shotgun, Flame Shot, and even the Laser Gun.)Gun), and toned down the difficulty.
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*PileBunker: Slug Gunner's melee weapon.
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* RatedMForManly: Let's see. StuffBlowingUp? Check. LargeHam announcer? Check. CrowningMusicOfAwesome? Check. MoreDakka? Check. Almost as NintendoHard as {{Contra}}? Check. Ralf, Clark, and Leona from TheKingOfFighters being included in future Metal Slug games? Check. This game really is manly.
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* RatedMForManly: Let's see. StuffBlowingUp? Check. LargeHam announcer? Check. CrowningMusicOfAwesome? Check. MoreDakka? Check. Almost Just as NintendoHard as {{Contra}}? Check. [[IkariWarriors Ralf, Clark, and Leona Leona]] from TheKingOfFighters being included in future Metal Slug games? Check. This game really is manly.[[RuleOfCool Yeah, it's that kind of game.]]
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* WalkingTank: The Slug Gunner from ''5''. ''3'' has a Mook which is quite literally a hollowed-out tank carried by two Japanese soldiers, with a third as the commander.
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* ClimacticVolcanoBackdrop: The final boss battle of ''7/XX''.
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** It could be a ShoutOut to [[CharlieChaplin Charlie Chaplin's]] [[TheGreatDictator The Great Dictator]], since the former symbol appears in the movie.
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** It could be a ShoutOut to [[CharlieChaplin Charlie Chaplin's]] [[TheGreatDictator The Great Dictator]], Creator/CharlieChaplin's ''TheGreatDictator'', since the former symbol appears in the movie.
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* {{Leitmotif}}: [[BigBad General Morden]] and his {{Dragon}} Allen O'Neal occasionally have [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF5PlhFXEZ8 Assault]] as their main theme whenever they appear, though the latter uses it as his boss theme in ''7''.
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* {{Leitmotif}}: [[BigBad General Morden]] and his {{Dragon}} [[TheDragon Allen O'Neal O'Neal]] occasionally have [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF5PlhFXEZ8 Assault]] as their main theme whenever they appear, appear or when they are involved, [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJnhP8bqvQM though the latter uses it as his boss theme in ''7''.]]
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* {{Leitmotif}}: [[BigBad General Morden]] and his {{Dragon}} Allen O'Neal occasionally have [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF5PlhFXEZ8 Assault]] as their main theme whenever they appear, though the latter uses it as his boss theme in ''7''.
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An interesting feature is semi-realistic personnel damage - [[OneHitPointWonder one hit and you die]] - which applies to the characters and most of the mooks as well. If you're in a vehicle, you're in luck - you get three hit points, and once you lose them, you can still eject. Did I mention that very few enemies have [[CollisionDamage touch-of-death]]? Well, it is so - if you want to kill someone you actually need to shoot or slice 'em with a melee weapon, and the same is true for them. Don't let this fool you though: the games are [[NintendoHard mercilessly hard]], but in a way that makes you keep wanting to try again. Oh, and if a tank runs you over, though, it'll still kill you - unless you have a tank of your own.
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An interesting feature is semi-realistic personnel damage - [[OneHitPointWonder one hit and you die]] - which applies to the characters and most of the mooks as well. If you're in a vehicle, you're in luck - you get three hit points, and once you lose them, you can still eject. Did I we mention that very few enemies have [[CollisionDamage touch-of-death]]? Well, it is so - if you want to kill someone you actually need to shoot or slice 'em with a melee weapon, and the same is true for them. Don't let this fool you though: the games are [[NintendoHard mercilessly hard]], but in a way that makes you keep wanting to try again. Oh, and if a tank runs you over, though, it'll still kill you - unless you have a tank of your own.
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* {{Mooks}}: With various animations and behavior, I might add.
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* {{Mooks}}: With various animations and behavior, I might add.too.
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** X was also a LOT more generous with the power ups - especially for those playing co-op games. I also suspect they took a lot of hitpoints away from some of the bosses.
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[[caption-width-right:304:''This'' slug leaves a trail of blood, not slime!]]
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[[caption-width-right:304:''This'' slug leaves a trail of blood, not slime!]]
blood.]]
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Snakes Are Evil was redefined. Removing incorrect use.
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* MechanicalMonster: Many people wouldn't know what it was when they first encountered it in ''Metal Slug 2/X'', but the [[http://metalslug.wikia.com/wiki/Aeshi_Nero Aeshi Nero]] is a [[SnakesAreEvil giant robot snake]] that's trying to "swallow" the pillar you're on!
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* MechanicalMonster: Many people wouldn't know what it was when they first encountered it in ''Metal Slug 2/X'', but the [[http://metalslug.wikia.com/wiki/Aeshi_Nero Aeshi Nero]] is a [[SnakesAreEvil giant robot snake]] snake that's trying to "swallow" the pillar you're on!
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''Metal Slug'' is a series of games from {{SNK}}. Basically, it's a run-and-gun shoot 'em up (or "shmup") series. Shoot everything that takes damage, rescue prisoners and collect power-ups from their underwear, attempt to stay alive.
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''Metal Slug'' is a series of games from {{SNK}}. Basically, it's a run-and-gun shoot 'em up (or "shmup") {{shmup}} series. Shoot everything that takes damage, rescue prisoners and collect power-ups from their underwear, attempt to stay alive.
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* EvilLaugh: General Morden, Allen O'Neal, Rootmars, and Amadeus.
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* BigBad: General Morden for most of the series. However, other villains such as Rootmars, Amadeus, the Ptolemaic Army, and the Venusian Queen serve as the BigBad of several installments of the series.
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* RatedMForManly: Let's see. StuffBlowingUp? Check. LargeHam announcer? Check. CrowningMusicOfAwesome? Check. MoreDakka? Check. Almost as NintendoHard as {{Contra}}? Check. Ralf and Clark from TheKingOfFighters being included in future Metal Slug games? Check. This game really is manly.
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* RatedMForManly: Let's see. StuffBlowingUp? Check. LargeHam announcer? Check. CrowningMusicOfAwesome? Check. MoreDakka? Check. Almost as NintendoHard as {{Contra}}? Check. Ralf Ralf, Clark, and Clark Leona from TheKingOfFighters being included in future Metal Slug games? Check. This game really is manly.
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* RatedMForManly: Let's see. StuffBlowingUp? Check. LargeHam announcer? Check. CrowningMusicOfAwesome? Check. MoreDakka? Check. Almost as NintendoHard as {{Contra}}? Check. Ralf and Clark from TheKingOfFighters being included in future Metal Slug games? Check. This game really is manly.
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[[quoteright:305:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/metalslug.gif]]
[[caption-width-right:304:''This'' slug leaves a trail of blood, not slime!]]
''Metal Slug'' is a series of games from {{SNK}}. Basically, it's a run-and-gun shoot 'em up (or "shmup") series. Shoot everything that takes damage, rescue prisoners and collect power-ups from their underwear, attempt to stay alive.
The series' name refers to the [[RuleOfCool incredibly cute, heavily armed one-seater tank]] shown to your [[YourOtherLeft left]]. It can duck, it can jump, it's got two [[GatlingGood vulcan miniguns]]... and the lowest-velocity high explosive cannon the world has ever seen. [[ActionBomb If you're truly desperate you can cause it to self-destruct]], ejecting you into a somersault and rushing headlong into the enemy before blowing up ForMassiveDamage.
The game's rather threadbare story usually involves the general Morden, who is leading a rebel army to take control of the world. Over the course of the series, he makes deals with rebels, mad scientists, demons, and even aliens in his bid to change the world.
The series began with the Peregrine Falcon squad, Marco and Tarma, then added the [[ActionGirl Sparrows team]], Eri and Fio, who together all form the core of the series. The fourth game relegated Tarma and Eri to the sidelines, while newcomers Trevor and Nadia took their places for a while. The sixth game notably added Ralf and Clark, the IkariWarriors who have spent the last decade or so hanging out in the ''KingOfFighters'' series. Their [=KoF=] Teammate Leona Heidern is also available in Metal Slug XX as a downloadable character.
An interesting feature is semi-realistic personnel damage - [[OneHitPointWonder one hit and you die]] - which applies to the characters and most of the mooks as well. If you're in a vehicle, you're in luck - you get three hit points, and once you lose them, you can still eject. Did I mention that very few enemies have [[CollisionDamage touch-of-death]]? Well, it is so - if you want to kill someone you actually need to shoot or slice 'em with a melee weapon, and the same is true for them. Don't let this fool you though: the games are [[NintendoHard mercilessly hard]], but in a way that makes you keep wanting to try again. Oh, and if a tank runs you over, though, it'll still kill you - unless you have a tank of your own.
Much of the game's appeal stems from its detailed, fluid graphics; it employs hand-drawn animation created by artists failing to understand the concepts of [[MotionlessChin immovable chins]] or [[NoKnees kneeless legs]]. Nuanced touches abound, such as multiple melée and idle animations for both enemies and the player characters. The artists also went to the trouble of making reloading animations, though you don't actually ''need'' to reload at any point. Even the enemy grunts are quite varied; they eat, talk amongst themselves and occasionally run screaming in terror. Of course, they also have a nasty habit of jumping on your 'slug and humping the main cannon to stop you from firing. All in all, it's a great example of how to convey a huge amount of personality without any dialog or cutscenes.
Now with its own [[Characters/MetalSlug Character Sheet]]
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!!This series provides examples of:
* ActionBomb
* AdvancingBossOfDoom: ''2'' and ''X'' have the Aeshi Nero, a giant mecha snake trying to "devour" the pillar you're on. Later on, there were runaway trains in the subway level that you had to destroy before they pushed you to the side of the screen.
** ''3'' has [[GiantEnemyCrab Huge Hermit]].
** ''6'' has the BrainInAJar alien robot.
* AffirmativeActionGirl: Eri and Fio were added to the ''Metal Slug 2'' roster, and playable through the rest (except in ''4'', where Nadia replaces Eri).
** Metal Slug XX added Leona,but you have to purchase her online to be available.
* AlienInvasion: In 2 and 3, the Mars People.
** In 6, the Venusians
* AllYourPowersCombined: The final boss of Metal Slug Advance has attacks borrowed from the final bosses of ''2/X'', ''3'', and ''4''.
** The drones and the WaveMotionGun are very similar to the alien mothership's UFO spawn and laser.
** The attack where it fires out blue shots that arc upwards is like Rootmars' green balls attack.
** The ReflectingLaser spray is somewhat similar to the one used by Amadeus in ''4''.
* AnnouncerChatter: *clickclick* '''HEAVYYYY MACHINE GUN!'''
** '''RAWKET LAWNCHAIR!'''
** '''SHAWTGUN!'''
** '''UH-OH BIG'''
*** '''MISHOWN COMEPLEET''' *ending theme*
* ArmiesAreEvil: General Morden's Rebel Army show up in just about every game, and their job is to cause [[ForTheEvulz chaos and destruction as]] [[AllThereInTheManual payback for the death of Morden's son]]. There are several other, less important armies as well, like the Arabian Infantry (found early on in ''Metal Slug 2'' and ''Metal Slug X''), the Ptolemaic Army (your main opponents in ''Metal Slug 5''), and the Japanese Army (found only on a secret path in ''Metal Slug 3'')
* AwesomeButImpractical: The Slug Gunner, a mecha version of the basic tank, looks awesome, and is featured in the trailers and cover art. But it's a lot slower than the regular tank- at least while walking. Hold down on your control pad to [[TransformingMecha deploy the treads and go to town.]]
** The downside to tank mode? You can only shoot forward. And it takes ''forever'' to turn around.
** Also, some of the weapons like the Drop Shot and the Iron Lizard look cool and explode, but the ammunition always drops, preventing you from hitting enemies above you, and aren't much more powerful than the Enemy Chaser or Rocket Launcher.
* AbnormalAmmo: Seriously? Nobody finds anything abnormal about bouncing explosive blobs, robotic exploding mini-cars (THAT SMILE), Stones, a knife that creates a wave of energy, a mini thunder cloud that fires lightning bolts, a floating mini satellite, a gun that rips shit up Emperor Palpatine style with arc lightning, or a revolver that shoots spinning, exploding rifles? [[RuleOfCool Nope.]]
* AttackItsWeakPoint: Required with some bosses, who are vulnerable only in some areas. Including Sol De Rocca (you must shoot the shining pearl in his face) and Scyther (the skull in his chest.)
* BackgroundBoss: Scyther, the FinalBoss of the fifth game.
* BadassNormal: The main characters are more than capable of taking on zombies, yetis, zombie yetis, aliens, giant robots, UFOs, and everything else with just a pistol and some WWII stick grenades.
** BadassAbnormal
* BaitAndSwitchBoss: [[spoiler: The final boss of Metal Slug 2/Metal Slug X]]
* BalloonBelly: Eating too much food will cause your character to become instantly obese (complete with mention from the Announcer). [[PowerUpFood This also makes your shots bigger,]] [[BiggerIsBetter and thus more powerful.]]
* BattleshipRaid: The final part of ''MetalSlug 3'' involves an assault on the Mars People's mothership and subsequent [[StormingTheCastle raid on the interior of such.]]
* BigCreepyCrawlies: ''Metal Slug 3'' in particular has a bunch of these, including locusts, crabs, snails, and [[CreepyCentipedes caterpillars]].
* BigEater: Nadia is a supermodel who has joined the military to burn off all the food she eats because she can't control her appetite.
* BigfootSasquatchAndYeti: ''Metal Slug 3'' had an ice cavern in Mission 2, filled with these. They had a homing ice breath that [[HarmlessFreezing would not kill the player]] (unless he was a zombie) but turn them into a snowman. If the player didn't escape from the snowman fast enough, the yeti would take out a bone club and whack the player to death.
* BilingualBonus: The Arabic writings in the first stages of ''2'' and ''X'' are jokes. Literally.
** Not exactly: the writings say "Indigestion Restaurent", "Corrupt Bank", and the big banners behind the boss basically say "I have diarreha , Bring me a doctor".
* BloodyMurder: Turning into a zombie lets you vomit acidic blood. Huh.
* BossBanter: "Come on, boy!" "Go home to mommy!"
* BottomlessMagazines: Nobody ever needs to reload - but the heroes will reload their pistols if you stop firing after about 5 or more consecutive shots and then stop, [[RuleOfCool just because.]] The special weapons aren't unlimited, but keep all their ammo in a single magazine.
* BottomlessPits: Occasionally combined with SuperDrowningSkills
* {{Bowdlerise}}: Some US home releases of the games replace Tarma's PrecisionFStrike death scream with Marco's death scream. And then there's the white blood...
* BrainInAJar: Metal Slug 3's Martian Guards are brains in jars attached to robot bodies. Metal Slug 6's Mission 3 boss is a HumongousMecha with a brain sitting on top inside a jar to serve as the head. It also has a couple eyeballs in there.
* CompilationRerelease: Metal Slug Anthology on PlaystationTwo, PSP, and Wii collects the first seven games in the series (1-6 and X) Though it misses the two NeoGeo Pocket games, as well as Metal Slug Advance and Metal Slug 3D, and the games suffer from slowdown you don't get with emulating the original ROMs with MVSPSP.
* ConceptArtGallery: A whole bunch of it is available in the collection ''Metal Slug Anthology'', which runs the gamut from incredibly detailed drawings of tanks and aircraft to [[FanService lots of pictures of the female characters]].
* CoolShades: Tarma never takes off his rather expressive sunglasses.
* ConservationofNinjutsu: This game practically runs on this trope. One or two people versus entire regiments of both infantry and tanks, as well as alien motherships, zombies, yetis, so on and so forth? No problem. Grab your quarters.
* {{Crossover}}: Aside from [[IkariWarriors Ralf & Clark]] and Fio (noted below) Mars People were mid-boss for ''[[CapcomVsWhatever SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos]]'' and playable in ''[[MascotFighter Neo Geo Battle Coliseum]]'' alongside Marco Rossi. Not to mention the appearance of the ENTIRE cast on the ''Card Fighter'' games.
* CursedWithAwesome: Being turned into a zombie slows you down and restricts you to a pistol... But it gives you a ridiculously powerful attack in which you vomit blood which eradicates everything in front of you. Plus, most conventional weapons won't do much to you, leaving you vulnerable only to Yetis, other zombies, and bosses.
* DatingSim: The Combat School extras on the home releases (Often [[NoExportForYou in Japanese.]]) has elements of this. [[{{Tsundere}} The instructors will warm up to you the better you perform in this mode, and will chew you out if you screw up]].
** Eventually, if your rank is especially high, you can chat with the instructor and get to know a little more about her. [[NoExportForYou Good luck understanding Sophia in MetalSlug 1, though.]]
* DeathIsASlapOnTheWrist: It's an arcade {{SHMUP}}, so you respawn where you died within a couple of seconds. Certain console ports, however, make you restart the level if you use a continue, which becomes a problem in Metal Slug 3's last level on the XBox port.
* DeathOfAThousandCuts: Even the most badass tank will go down if you shoot it enough with your pistol.
* DenialOfDiagonalAttack: Though the Heavy Machine Gun upgrade will let you shoot diagonally.
** It took until 6, but the Laser Gun can do so as well.
* DivergentCharacterEvolution:
** The fourth game: Trevor's melee attack earns extra points but immobilizes him when he uses it. He's kicking the enemy hard enough to shred them apart. Nadia, on the other hand, whips out a taser.
** The sixth game introduced differences between the characters. Marco's normal handgun does more damage. Eri gets more grenades from pick-ups and can throw them at any angle. Tarma gets more hit points when piloting a vehicle, and can lock the vehicle's gun in one position while moving. Fio receives more ammunition from special gun pick-ups. Ralf can take two hits before dying, and has a special melee move called the "Vulcan Punch." (Although he receives half the ammo and grenades from pick-ups.) Clark has a special move called the Super Argentinian Backbreaker which kills any man-sized enemy in one hit, makes him temporarily invincible and earns him a large stack of points the more he combos it.
** In XX, Leona has an amalgamation of the main team's skillset (stronger pistol, 20% more ammo and grenades, Slugs can take an extra hit, and her special melee acts like a short-range Zantetsu Sword). Marco also got the Burst Fire, which lets him use auto-fire, but has to stand still, and Tarma [[PercussiveMaintenance can kick Slugs, which can recover some health]] ([[NiceJobBreakingItHero however, it can also damage them on occasion.]])
* TheDragon: Allen O'Neal. However, during the Joint Strike on the Martian ship, he helps the player a few times. [[spoiler: He's trying to rescue his boss, after all.]]
* DummiedOut: A large number of things, most notably in Metal Slug 5. You can check a more detailed observation of said elements [[http://randomhoohaas.flyingomelette.com/MetalSlug-MissingInAction/MSAction-Main.htm here]].
* EldritchAbomination: [[SinisterScythe Scyther]] in 5. Also the Venusian Queen in 6.
* ElevatorActionSequence: Happen in ''4'' and done in reverse in ''5''.
* EliteMook
** The Sergeants are an uncommon Rebel footsoldier, and they wear yellow. They are just as weak as the normal soldiers, but they always drop a pickup when killed.
** The Amadeus Infantry in ''Metal Slug 5'' are among the most dangerous Rebel foot-soldiers, and they wear blue. Some of them are armed with the 7.62mm AR-10 Autorifle, which is one of the weapons you can use.
** Ptolemaic Officers wear grey uniforms and don't cover their faces like the other soldiers. They can shoot their pistols in any direction and can take an unusual amount of damage for a human enemy, but they will run if their troops are killed.
** The Ptolemaic Special Forces fight like an improved form of the standard Ptolemaic guerrilla. They tend to ambush you out of doors and elevators, and they can even throw knives.
** Ptolemaic Shamans can take more than one attack and can fire green, homing projectiles.
* EmergencyWeapon: The pistol and the knife. Depending on the circumstances, other emergency attacks include kicks, nightsticks, hand-axes, tridents, sporks, using your belt to WhipItGood while fat (or stabbing them with a giant fork), and [[TheOldestOnesInTheBook the old]] [[ImprobableWeaponUser telescopic-boxing-glove gag.]]
* EnemyMine: Statistically speaking, the Rebel Army is the king of this trope. They only truly appear in the first, second, third, and sixth Metal Slugs, and out of those 4, they team up with the heroes in 3.
** In ''Metal Slug 2'' their Martian allies betray them and kidnap their leader, causing the mooks to join forces with the heroes.
** In ''Metal Slug 3'' their leader was kidnapped and replaced by a disguised Martian, and after they figure this out, they join the heroes in their BattleshipRaid of the Martian's Mothership.
** Played with in ''Metal Slug 6''; they [[TooDumbToLive team up with the Martians]] ''[[TooDumbToLive again]]'', but a new alien species (or evil mole people that live underground?) finds Earth half-way through the game and find it ripe for the conquering. As for the favorite food of these aliens? Mars People. So now you, Morden's army, AND the Martians all team up against these new baddies.
*** The second alien army is referred to as being from Venus in some [[AllThereInTheManual supplemental material]]. And if TheTwilightZone taught us anything, Martians and Venusians are classic rivals in their attempts to conquer Earth ("Will the Real Alien Please Stand Up?")
* EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys- The Uzi-wielding chimpanzee partner that you could release from a box. In ''4'', your character could actually get turned into a similar monkey, with an increase in fire rate (as their weapon somehow turns into an Uzi too).
* EverythingsWorseWithBears: Subverted - the only bear to be found in the entire series is on a secret alternate path in Mission 3 of Metal Slug 4 (a snowy mountain)... and ''he helps you'', attacking the intruding Yeti-like monsters that infest this route. If you shoot him a few times he'll stop helping and leave, though.
** And played straight in that if you stand in the attack hitbox of his claw swipes, you die (with the same animation as though you were knifed).
* EvilKnockoff: The Ptolemic Army from Metal Slug 5 stole the blueprints of the titular tanks which allowed them to create their own bastardized Metal Slugs. In fact the first boss is a titanic Metal Slug dubbed [[MetalGearSolid Metal Rear.]]
** Metal Slug Advance for the Gameboy Advance had Formor,a larger version(3 times) of the Metal Slug
* EvilOverlooker: In an unlockable background in ''Metal Slug Anthology''.
* ExpressiveMask: Tarma in Metal Slug Double X, and also the tribesmen in Metal Slug 5, with their giant masks that laugh when they laugh.
* FamilyUnfriendlyDeath: For a game with a cartoony art style, people die in surprisingly disturbing ways. And there's blood ''everywhere''.
** Though in certain versions of the games you can change the color of the blood to white, which depending on how childish you are will either look like milk or semen.
* FanservicePack: Poor Fio just won't stop [[BreastExpansion gaining weight]] from one game to the next.
* FlashOfPain: For an example, an orange variety is found in Metal Slug 1.
* FranchiseZombie: After SNK's bankruptcy, after ''3'' that is. Fans generally believe that with SNK Playmore taking the series back for ''6'' on, the zombie has recovered.
* GasmaskMooks: The Ptolemaic Army soldiers.
* GatlingGood: See image at top of page. Some enemy soldiers wield them, for what good it does.
* GiantEnemyCrab: Metal Slug 3's first mission is full of giant crabs, with a truly enormous one serving as the boss. Take the right alternate route in the fourth level and you'll find some more.
* GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere: Scyther, the final boss of the fifth game. After facing hordes of terrorists, robots and cultists you're greeted by a giant demon on the top of a tower. Only thing remotely connected is a single cutscene at the very beging of the game, and that's it.
** ''Metal Slug 3'' has no mentions of Mars people before they reveal themselves, however they are [[ForeShadowing not a complete surprise to the watchful eye.]] Morden has his eyepatch on the wrong eye, [[FunnyBackgroundEvent and a few Martians appear in the background of the first level.]] They were also an important part of the story in the second game.
** [[http://metalslug.wikia.com/wiki/Sol_Dae_Rokker Sol Dae Rokker]] from ''Metal Slug 3'' plays this straight.
* GoodLookingPrivates: Eri, Fio, Nadia ''and'' Leona.
* GoofyPrintUnderwear: The [=POWs=] dispense [[PowerUp Power Ups]] from giant pairs of blue-and-white-striped boxer shorts.
** When the Mars People turn on General Morden in ''Metal Slug 3'', they strip him to his polka-dot boxers. (When the same thing happened in ''Metal Slug 2/[[UpdatedRerelease X]]'', he was wearing pink bikini briefs.)
* GoneHorriblyWrong: Those weird mutants in ''2'' and ''X''? [[AllThereInTheManual Turns out they're the leftovers]] from a SuperSoldier project.
* GrossUpCloseUp: The character selection portraits in ''2''/''X'' and ''3''. For bonus points, if you choose Tarma, a drop of snot will come down from his nose.
* GuestFighter: [[TheKingOfFighters Ralf and Clark]] are playable in ''Metal Slug 6''. Returning the favor, Fio is unlockable in ''TheKingOfFighters: Maximum Impact 2''.
** Since Ralf and Clark returned in ''7'', it seems likely that they're here to stay.
** Marco Rossi also appeared in ''VideoGame/NeoGeoBattleColiseum'' as a playable character.
** XX (The PSP version of ''7'') added Leona. She previously appeared in the cell phone games.
* HighPressureBlood: Mooks leave a quite respectable trail of blood upon being shot or cut. Shooting down a Mook with the Shotgun results in them literally ''exploding'' into a burst of blood that is roughly twice the size of their regular sprite.
* HijackedByGanon: [[spoiler: [[InvertedTrope Inverted]] in ''Metal Slug 4''. What appears to be Allen O'Neal and General Morden are actually look-alike robots manufactured by a new enemy named Amadeus.]]
* IdenticalStranger: The NPC lawyer ([[AllThereInTheManual called Walker]]) encountered in ''2'''s first mission has an uncanny resemblance to [[spoiler: Amadeus, mentioned above]].
* IHaveAFamily:
** Although [[spoiler: Allen O'Neil]] himself doesn't invoke this in-game, [[AllThereInTheManual supplemental material says he has a wife and kid.]] [[ItRunsOnNonsensoleum This is apparently what gives him]] ContractualImmortality. Said kid shows up to fight you in the GBA version, however.
** General Morden [[AllThereInTheManual had a son who unfortunately died in a terrorist attack at Central Park]]. When he found out the attack could have easily been prevented if not for the high amount of corruption in the military and government, [[StartOfDarkness he betrayed the Regular Army]].
* HyperspaceArsenal: One miniboss from X is a superheavy assault plane that carries those huge tanks that drop themeselves on you when they run out of ammo. It carries an infinite supply.
* ImplacableMan: Allen O'Neal, Morden's bodyguard who soaks more damage than most tanks, and manages to [[BackFromTheDead come back from the dead]] an unnerving amount of times. In Metal Slug 2, he actually gets eaten by a killer whale which even spits out his bones afterward... and yet, in Metal Slug 3 he's there again, [[GatlingGood gatling]] and idiotic taunts and all, and he amazes us ''even more'' by [[spoiler: [[BackFromTheDead coming back from the dead ]] ''again'' and helping us]] in the endgame.
** Although he took a vacation after number 3, not appearing for a few games [[spoiler:The one in ''Metal Slug 4'' is actually a robot]], he returns in ''Metal Slug 7''.
* ImprobableWeaponUser: When in fat mode, your melee weapon (a combat knife or hatchet) is replaced with a really big spork. Or have a seat and whip out your plus-sized belt.
* LargeHam: The announcers (except for the first one). '''"HEAVYYYY MACHINEGUN!"''' [[SuperSoldier Allen]] as well: "AHAHAHAHAHA!! [[GoodBadTranslation GO HOME TO MOMMY!]]"
* LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe: Some Mooks get a riot shield. They will hide behind it, slipping out every so often to take a potshot. When you shoot the thing out of their hands, they waste their MercyInvincibility by panicking.
* MadeOfIron: In a series where most characters die from a single shot, Allen and Morden both absorb several hundred rounds of machine gun fire and/or dozens of direct hits from missiles and grenades every time they appear. Allen eventually dies only to [[UnexplainedRecovery show up alive in the next game]], but Morden is just knocked into submission by it. Morden also has been known to survive a gigantic metal plate crushing him and being strapped to a spaceship ''as it launches into space.''
* TheManyDeathsOfYou: Besides getting shot or stabbed, there are countless sprite animations for death, ranging from (while in fat mode) bursting like a balloon to getting sucked up by flying tentacle aliens to the various deaths turned into zombies or mummies! Lots of these can result in some pretty severe NightmareFuel.
* MarathonLevel: Many final stages are quite lengthy, but ''3''[='=]s final stage deserves a special mention. It is literally about half the game's length, taking as long as '''half an hour''' to finish.
* MascotMook: The hapless Rebel Grunts. Many fans were saddened by their absence in the fifth game, and they even got to be playable once.
* MechaMooks
* MechanicalMonster: Many people wouldn't know what it was when they first encountered it in ''Metal Slug 2/X'', but the [[http://metalslug.wikia.com/wiki/Aeshi_Nero Aeshi Nero]] is a [[SnakesAreEvil giant robot snake]] that's trying to "swallow" the pillar you're on!
* {{Meganekko}}: Fio.
* MilitaryMashupMachine: Almost every boss you encounter - especially in the later games - is a great hulking mishmash of military vehicles. The classic Land Battleship (by which we mean, "A battleship with giant treads bolted on") makes an appearance in ''Metal Slug 2'', and the very first boss in ''Metal Slug 3'' is a giant lobster with an artillery cannon fitted on top of it.
* MindControl: In Metal Slug 3 the character that you are controlling is abducted and then turned into clones and then clone zombies. In Metal Slug 6 players have their character's counterpart become controlled by the flying parasite things.
* MirrorBoss: Allen O'Neal.
** You also fight one of your fellow playable characters in Metal Slug 6, controlled by an alien. He/she has access to several of your special weapons, like the grenades and the Heavy Machine Gun.
* {{Mooks}}: With various animations and behavior, I might add.
* MookHorrorShow: Human enemies panic when you respawn in front of them. Except for bosses, but everyone from the lowest infantry to blue-suited doom troops loose their shit.
* MoreDakka: The Metal Slug franchise is heavily based off of awesome firepower, with heavy machine guns, BIG heavy machine guns, two machine guns, and other powerful weapons. This is then taken even further by the fact that players can become fat, increasing the power of their weapons (think of a heavy machine gun that is BIG and while fat). The vehicles with a huge vulcan machine gun (or 2) are also based off of this.
** Taken even further in Metal Slug 6 and 7, where playing as Fio immediately gives the player the (Big) Heavy Machine Gun. She also gets 50% more ammunition upon picking up other weapons.
** In ''Metal Slug 2'', there is much more dakka than [[UpToEleven the game engine can handle.]] One thing about ''Metal Slug X'' being an UpdatedRerelease is that the engine doesn't drop frames ''quite'' so much.
* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: [[LittleGreenMen Green]] [[AlienInvaders alien]] [[EverythingsDeaderWithZombies zombie]] [[CloningBlues clones]] [[BeamingGrin that puke streams]] [[BloodyMurder of blood]] in ''Metal Slug 3.''
* NightOfTheLivingMooks: Two has an egyptian tomb populated by Mummies. Three and Four have zombie themed levels.
* NintendoHard: Not surprising, since arcade games need to be able to get your quarters. There is a rule among fans: "When fighting a boss, use all your grenades immediately. You'll die and get a new set in a few seconds." Metal Slug 1 was hard, yet still the easiest of the games with each additional entry generally becoming harder, and one could say the purchase of any one of the games for a home console will pay for itself in saved quarters ''very'' quickly.
** Mike Uyama, [[SpeedRun speedrunning]] legend, explicitly states [[http://speeddemosarchive.com/MetalSlug3.html here]] it's harder than ''{{Contra}} III''. And he beat ''that'' game in 15 minutes.
*** -->''From Uyama himself:"Metal Slug 3 is longer, has more randomness, bosses don't die as quickly, and the hardest difficulty is considered impossible (or nearly impossible) to beat on one life. Whereas in Contra III, the game moves quickly, but there isn't much randomness. If that doesn't convince you, Contra III took me 10 days (this includes both practice and recording), Metal Slug 3 took me over a year."''
** The developers ''know'' that a very tiny fraction of clears will be proper clears done on one credit, because the ending result screen shows how many continues you used up. It's not uncommon to see, for instance, a continue count of 50 or more (in other words, over 150 lives lost) on ''Metal Slug 3'', especially given that it's longer than the other ones.
* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: The BigBad Morden bears an uncanny resemblance to Saddam Hussein. According to the game's BackStory, he's actually from the province of New Brunswick in Canada.
** And his [[TheDragon right hand man Allen O'Neal]] evokes {{Rambo}} imagery with his shirtless, muscled body and giant gun.
*** He looks more like StoneColdSteveAustin though.
* NoExportForYou: The 3D game, but it's [[PolygonCeiling not that much of a loss anyways]]. Also, from the main series, the Combat School, a mission-based DatingSim.
* NoSwastikas: Mercilessly parodied via the enemy army, who aren't actually Nazis -- even in the Japanese version -- but wear Nazi uniforms, and have insignia strongly resembling poorly-censored Nazi insignia: Swastikas are plain black X-es and eagles become Phoenixes.
** It could be a ShoutOut to [[CharlieChaplin Charlie Chaplin's]] [[TheGreatDictator The Great Dictator]], since the former symbol appears in the movie.
** See also the insignia on the enemy tanks -that, by the way, resemble WorldWarII German ones-. It looks like a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balkenkreuz Balkenkreuz]] rotated 45 degrees.
* ObligatorySwearing: Tarma F Bombs upon defeat.
* OneBulletAtATime: Well, more like Two Grenades At A Time. Getting in close and [[SpamAttack lobbing grenades like a maniac]] isn't just the key to speedruns -- sometimes it's the only remotely easy way to clear an area.
* OneHitPointWonder: It's a {{SHMUP}}, so no surprises here. If you're in a Slug, it will take 3 hits for you.
** Ralf in ''Metal Slug 6 and 7'' can take two hits. He's just that tough!
*** It's probably a reference to his KingOfFighters '99 victory quote "I can survive anything - even nukes!". Which makes it sort of a gameplay-influenced ShoutOut.
*** More like a necessary element, considering how close Ralf needs to get to tanks in order to use his anti-tank Vulcan Punch.
*** From game 6 onward, putting Tarma in a Vehicle doubles its defense, letting you take twice as many hits. Interestingly enough, Metal Slug Advance gave you a lifebar (refillable through eating food), but you could invoke this trope through activation of the "Paper Thin" card. (completing a level with it gave you another card for OneHundredPercentCompletion.)
* OneManArmy: Sometimes the Mooks actually scream and run for their lives if you approach them. They know.
** This is usually after they've killed you, only for you to accept the Continue screen and come back again...
*** For some fun, find two soldiers chatting with each other. Kill one and watch his friend [[OhCrap freak out and run.]]
* PainfullySlowProjectile: The Nop 03 Sarubia (tall grey tanks) specializes in shooting slow rolling bombs to force the players to dodge and jump, making them easy targets for its allies.
* PeopleJars: Mission 5 in Metal Slug 6 sees you rescuing [[spoiler: Mars People]] from these sort of jars.
* PrecisionFStrike: Tarma lets one out upon player miss.
** This can quickly turn into ClusterFBomb. [[NintendoHard You know why.]]
* {{Qurac}}: First level of Metal Slug 2 (and therefore X). One would assume that's why the next level has [[{{Mummy}} mummies]], too.
* RecycledInSpace: {{Contra}} [-AS AN SNK GAME-]!
* RecycledTitle: The [=3D=] ''Metal Slug'' game for the [=PS2=] is simply titled ''Metal Slug''.
* RedshirtArmy: The final mission of Metal Slug 6 starts out with you [[spoiler: leading some of Morden's soldiers through a cave leading to the alien atronghold. They only take one hit, like you, and they have reinforcements, but after around twenty are killed, no more will appear. Challenge yourself: See if you can get to the end of that section and still have at least one guy following you.]]
* RewardingVandalism: If you destroy any objects in the background, chances are it'll drop a useful item.
** Interestingly enough, in one of the levels of Metal Slug 2, vandalism gets punished - if you eat too much food, you'll grow to be fat. '''[[GratuitousEnglish (UH OH BIG)]]''' This means you're slower and a bigger target, so don't lose your tank. Of course, being fat also upgrades all your weapons, so...
*** However, in MetalSlug 3, there is no speed penalty, but no weapon upgrade.
* RingMenu: even on the console versions.
* RoboticReveal: [[spoiler: General Morden and Allen O'Neal]] in ''Metal Slug 4''.
* SandWorm: A giant flying worm is the fourth boss in 6. However, you face him in a bay.
* SeeYouInHell: Allen O'Neal's death cry, and practically his CatchPhrase.
* SequelDifficultySpike: ''Metal Slug 3''. Good lord, ''Metal Slug 3''. Take how many continues you took to complete ''2'' and double it. That's about how much you'll be spending in ''3''.
* ShockAndAwe: Several enemies use electrical attacks. the Sewer Sub boss from 1 and future rebels from 7 are prominent examples-the latter going so far as to have tesla coil armed specialist infantry and electrified gauntlets replacing knives as standard issue close combat weapons..
* ShortRangeShotgun: Taken literally and UpToEleven. The Shotgun is basically a directed explosion; it doesn't even hit past half a screen, but whatever it hits it virtually obliterates. The "Big" Shotgun, first seen in ''X'', ''does'' hit half the screen.
* ShoutOut: To ''Film/IndependenceDay'' in ''MetalSlug 2''; the mothership is destroyed by a lone pilot who flies into the WaveMotionGun's core, just like in the movie.
** See the part about Ralf above.
** In ''MetalSlug 3'' level ''2'' the boss drops a series of large black slabs with writing on them that some might say looks like the monolith from 2001ASpaceOdyssey.
** Also in ''MetalSlug 3'' there is an enemy on level 4 that looks like the brain eating bug from Starship Troopers.
** And the meat eating plants from ''MetalSlug 3'' look like the evil plants from The Little Shop of Horrors.
** The final level of ''MetalSlug 3'' features small alien grunts who bear a striking resemblence to the tripod aliens from the musical version of War of the Worlds. Which are themselves based on the description from the novel. (Yes, it did have a description for them. The only-showing-the-Tripods bit came from later adaptations)
*** This appears to be an ongoing theme with Japanese-designed Martians. Google around.
*** The final boss of ''3'' looks similar to [[Film/ETTheExtraTerrestrial E.T.]], though appearance is about where the likeness stops.
** Also in ''MetalSlug 3'''s final level, the Martians have elite guards who look like Daleks of Series/DoctorWho fame.
** The BGM for the first level of MS 3 is known as ''Blue Water Fangs'' aka ''[[MadDoctor The Island of Dr. Moreau]]''.
** The boss of the fifth mission of Metal Slug 7/Metal Slug XX, "[[MeaningfulName The Union]]", bears a HUGE resemblance to the 4th boss of ''VideoGame/{{R-Type}}''. Both are made of three separate parts, each with a [[AttackItsWeakPoint weak core that the player had to shoot]]. See the similarity [[http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/MetalSlug7rtype.jpg here]] (the [[AttackItsWeakPoint cores]] are circled). Not surprising, as the founders of MetalSlug broke off from {{Irem}}, the company who created ''R-Type''.
** The submarine paths in MS3 are most likely a reference to earlier game ''VideoGame/InTheHunt'' (see SpiritualSuccessor below), right down to the part where you have to dodge lava. Another In The Hunt reference can be found in MS2, the China stage, where you have to avoid missiles coming up from the ground: in ITH the submarine had to endure a similar stunt. The visuals are pretty similar, too.
*** The Slug Mariner's color scheme is one to ''VideoGame/InTheHunt''.
*** Also, the Slug Mariner looks suspiciously (and ironically) based on a little HELICOPTER (complete with vulcan cannon,but not placed the same way as the aforementioned Slug) from Battle Chopper, another game by Irem.
* SinkTheLifeBoats: If you destroy one of Morden's boats, the soldiers will bail out and the ship will break apart... but when the smoke clears you'll see the boat, now tilted upward dangerously and obviously crippled, with a lone weaponless soldier desperately trying to bail it out. Go ahead, finish the boat off and get your point bonus, you monster.
** It's not like you have a choice - you have to destroy every enemy to move on during most screens, and while the boat's still floating, it counts.
*** Do note, enemies will file out if you take too long.
* SpinToDeflectStuff: The Venusians in ''Metal Slug 6'' use this one quite often. The even roll on the floor and spin-jump around like a [[SonicTheHedgehog certain blue hedgehog]]... Oh, and they kill you if you touch them while they're spinning.
** Semi-subversion; the bullets do deflect off (while not harming you, thankfully), but the Venusians will still take damage.
** The trooper clones in MS3's final level (spaceship section) deflect HMG and Vulcan bullets while jumping.
* SpiritualSuccessor: ''MetalSlug'' shares a lot of graphical and gameplay similarities with the earlier shooters ''VideoGame/InTheHunt'' and ''{{Gunforce}} 2'', both of which were made by the same team. It also shares a lot of visual design and trope usage with ''VideoGame/UndercoverCops'', a BeatEmUp also developed by said team. The NeoGeo run & gunner ''Cyber-Lip'' was also apparently done by said team, though the connections aren't as obvious.
* SuperDrowningSkills: Unless you have the appropriate equipment.
** Justified in Metal Slug 3's Mission 1. The water is infested with man-eating fish that will strip a character down to their skeleton should they fall in.
*** Incomparably frustrating if this happens while missing the jump to the Marine Slug (and associated level path).
** Also justified in Metal Slug 2/X's final mission. The water is ICY COLD and a drop in it will make your character frozen in an ice block.
** And justified in Metal Slug 6's mission 1's river, the current was rapid. And mission 2 had the same flying piranhas!
* SurprisinglyGoodEnglish: Though made in Japan, the ''MetalSlug 3-D'' cutscenes had fully-spoken English with Japanese subtitles. The regular announcer also speaks perfect English...most of the time (ROCKET LAUWNCHER!).
* SurvivorGuilt: At the ending of the first game, in the London level, you find what is usually presumed the daughter of a dead enemy soldier. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukBzGrsA1Ds Jump at 2:44.]]
** She only appears if you finish in one player mode, where the credits scroll over the destruction you left behind (graves, devastated buildings, wrecked tanks, etc). Complete a co-operative game, and all the enemy forces are seen having a party instead. The outro music also changes appropriately (or inappropriately, depending on your point of view).
* SuspiciousVideogameGenerosity: Right at the end of Metal Slug 6. No enemies, no music, and a Metal Slug for you to ride. Uh-oh...
* StrongFleshWeakSteel: The special ability of one of the Ikari Warriors in part 6 is to punch right through tank armor.
* StockScream: If the mooks get set on fire or blown up, they'll often let rip one of these. Also, if you die... they laugh and shrug as if to say "what was the big deal?"... and freak out when you come back thanks to the magic of extra lives.
* StuffBlowingUp: '''''A LOT'''''
* SufficientlyAdvancedAlien: Tuatha De Dunaan
* TankGoodness: An incredibly cute example, with a strong resemblance to the mini-tank from DominionTankPolice.
* SuspiciouslySimilarSong: The mission 3 music of ''Metal Slug 2'' has a sax solo taken from the shooter ''Air Duel''. The underwater theme of ''Metal Slug 3'' is a remix of the stage 3 music of ''Air Duel''.
** The Desert theme from ''Metal Slug 3'' bears more than an uncanny resemblance to Music/IronMaiden's Powerslave.
* ThisIsADrill: In one path of ''Metal Slug 3'', you get a Drill Slug, which can drill right through those nasty big creepy crawlies. Ichor spews EVERYWHERE.
* TrickBoss: The FinalBoss of Metal Slug 6 is a yellowish alien core thingy. It [[StationaryBoss doesn't even move]], and is aided by only a [[FlunkyBoss few mooks that come at moderate intervals]]. After defeating it, the Morden soldiers come in and celebrate your victory over the enemy... when the alien in the destroyed core fires out a destructive wave, killing all of them. Time for the REAL final boss battle.
** Done again in Metal Slug 3D, though the first "battle" is against an actual challenging enemy.
* TrouserSpace: The [=POWs=] take this a step further by keeping powerups in their underwear.
* TurnsRed: Allen O'Neil turns red gradually as you hurt him more. He might change his pattern a little bit, but the major point to him turning red is to assure you that yes, you are in fact making progress.
* UncommonTime - No two versions of Steel Beast (The boss theme of the first Metal Slug) share a time signature (Except 2 and 3).
* UnexpectedGameplayChange: Occasionally, ''Metal Slug'' games will shift from a run-and-gun to a ShootEmUp. Okay, so they're not all that different as genres (some people class the former under the latter, even), but the way you play changes a bit.
* UngratefulBastard: Despite saving his ass (and organization!) in both Metal Slug 2/X and 3, Morden still tries to kill the protagonists in 6 and 7/XX. Although he ''is'' leader of world wide rebellion which player opposes.
** For what it's worth, though [[spoiler: Either Morden or Rootmars will save the player at the end of Metal Slug 6, depending on what route you took in stage 4.]]
* UpdatedRerelease: ''Metal Slug X'' was a redesign of ''Metal Slug 2''; the primary difference is that some slowdown problems were corrected.
** X was also a LOT more generous with the power ups - especially for those playing co-op games. I also suspect they took a lot of hitpoints away from some of the bosses.
** Aside from the upgraded game engine, which helped deal with the slowdown, X also introduced the Iron Lizard, Drop Shot, Super Grenade and Enemy Chaser weapons. It also gave us the BIG versions of the Original weapons (Heavy Machine Gun, Rocket Launcher, Shotgun, Flame Shot, and even the Laser Gun.)
** XX is an updated version of Metal Slug 7 from the DS, for the PSP.
* WarHasNeverBeenSoMuchFun: ''Boy howdy.''
* WaveMotionGun: The Lasergun from ''MetalSlug 2'' onwards. Shown LITERALLY in-game if the player fires a Lasergun or BIG Lasergun while fat.
* [[WakeUpCallBoss Wake Up Call Level]]: The last mission of Metal Slug 3. It's just as long, if not longer than the rest of the missions combined, throwing in twist after twist at you along with very hard sequences and bosses.
* WeaponizedAnimal: The Camel Slug, Elephant Slug, Ostrich Slug and Donkey Slug, animals with a rapid-fire gun attached to them. On the Rebel Army's side, we have [[GiantEnemyCrab Huge Hermit]], a huge hermit crab with a tank for its shell.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Many ideas and models were scrapped from the final product, expecially in 5. Including a giant turtle-like mecha and the native zapped by the lightning at the beginning as the final boss on a levitating, laser-spitting pillar. See [[http://randomhoohaas.flyingomelette.com/MetalSlug-MissingInAction/MSAction-Main.htm this page]] for all the stuff that people have found from the game files.
* TheWorfEffect: The first game sets up Morden as an influential, well-armed, and [[MadeOfIron nearly indestructible]] general. The second and third games allow the Mars People to humiliatingly defeat him to show how much more dangerous they are. The sixth game demonstrates the Venus People as an even greater threat by showing them obliterating Morden ''and'' the Mars People.
* VictoryPose: Every character from the main MetalSlug games does a victory pose in the end of each mission.
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: Leona.
* {{Zeerust}}: Most of the "High-Tech" devices in the series are intentionally Zeerusty, from the aforementioned land battleship, to pulp robots, to 50s B movie flying saucers. In particular, many vehicles (including aircraft) appear to be constructed of heavier metals riveted together.
* ZergRush: There are a few sequences like this in the series, but the best one might be the ridiculous Venusian onslaught in Mission 3 of Metal Slug 6. They just keep coming in from the right and coming in from the right...
* ZombieApocalypse: The second ''MetalSlug 3'' level pits you against zombies. You can be turned into a zombie, which kills your movement and weapon, but gives you an obscenely powerful blood vomit attack instead of grenades and makes you immune to normal mooks' attacks. Later in the game, evil duplicates of the player get turned into zombies... and unfortunately also have the blood vomit attack.
** On the bright side, if they zombify you, you can use the blood vomit on ''them'', and if you thought grenades were good for clearing the screen... then you haven't seen the blood vomit attack.
*** Unfortunately, the [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot alien zombie clones]] can't zombify you with their blood vomit - it just kills your character outright. Which gives them a nasty advantage over you, especially if you lose your only advantage against them (namely, small hills protecting you from the blood blasts).
*** Better yet, occasionally during this sequence you can find an evil, non-zombie duplicate during this section. In previous sections, they died with a single bullet, but in this section ''they have as much health as a zombie''. This means you need to use a few grenades, several bullets, or a powerful weapon to kill them while they jump around and melee/shoot you. Meanwhile, more evil duplicate zombies are coming from the left using their vomit attack. Have fun!
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[[caption-width-right:304:''This'' slug leaves a trail of blood, not slime!]]
''Metal Slug'' is a series of games from {{SNK}}. Basically, it's a run-and-gun shoot 'em up (or "shmup") series. Shoot everything that takes damage, rescue prisoners and collect power-ups from their underwear, attempt to stay alive.
The series' name refers to the [[RuleOfCool incredibly cute, heavily armed one-seater tank]] shown to your [[YourOtherLeft left]]. It can duck, it can jump, it's got two [[GatlingGood vulcan miniguns]]... and the lowest-velocity high explosive cannon the world has ever seen. [[ActionBomb If you're truly desperate you can cause it to self-destruct]], ejecting you into a somersault and rushing headlong into the enemy before blowing up ForMassiveDamage.
The game's rather threadbare story usually involves the general Morden, who is leading a rebel army to take control of the world. Over the course of the series, he makes deals with rebels, mad scientists, demons, and even aliens in his bid to change the world.
The series began with the Peregrine Falcon squad, Marco and Tarma, then added the [[ActionGirl Sparrows team]], Eri and Fio, who together all form the core of the series. The fourth game relegated Tarma and Eri to the sidelines, while newcomers Trevor and Nadia took their places for a while. The sixth game notably added Ralf and Clark, the IkariWarriors who have spent the last decade or so hanging out in the ''KingOfFighters'' series. Their [=KoF=] Teammate Leona Heidern is also available in Metal Slug XX as a downloadable character.
An interesting feature is semi-realistic personnel damage - [[OneHitPointWonder one hit and you die]] - which applies to the characters and most of the mooks as well. If you're in a vehicle, you're in luck - you get three hit points, and once you lose them, you can still eject. Did I mention that very few enemies have [[CollisionDamage touch-of-death]]? Well, it is so - if you want to kill someone you actually need to shoot or slice 'em with a melee weapon, and the same is true for them. Don't let this fool you though: the games are [[NintendoHard mercilessly hard]], but in a way that makes you keep wanting to try again. Oh, and if a tank runs you over, though, it'll still kill you - unless you have a tank of your own.
Much of the game's appeal stems from its detailed, fluid graphics; it employs hand-drawn animation created by artists failing to understand the concepts of [[MotionlessChin immovable chins]] or [[NoKnees kneeless legs]]. Nuanced touches abound, such as multiple melée and idle animations for both enemies and the player characters. The artists also went to the trouble of making reloading animations, though you don't actually ''need'' to reload at any point. Even the enemy grunts are quite varied; they eat, talk amongst themselves and occasionally run screaming in terror. Of course, they also have a nasty habit of jumping on your 'slug and humping the main cannon to stop you from firing. All in all, it's a great example of how to convey a huge amount of personality without any dialog or cutscenes.
Now with its own [[Characters/MetalSlug Character Sheet]]
----
!!This series provides examples of:
* ActionBomb
* AdvancingBossOfDoom: ''2'' and ''X'' have the Aeshi Nero, a giant mecha snake trying to "devour" the pillar you're on. Later on, there were runaway trains in the subway level that you had to destroy before they pushed you to the side of the screen.
** ''3'' has [[GiantEnemyCrab Huge Hermit]].
** ''6'' has the BrainInAJar alien robot.
* AffirmativeActionGirl: Eri and Fio were added to the ''Metal Slug 2'' roster, and playable through the rest (except in ''4'', where Nadia replaces Eri).
** Metal Slug XX added Leona,but you have to purchase her online to be available.
* AlienInvasion: In 2 and 3, the Mars People.
** In 6, the Venusians
* AllYourPowersCombined: The final boss of Metal Slug Advance has attacks borrowed from the final bosses of ''2/X'', ''3'', and ''4''.
** The drones and the WaveMotionGun are very similar to the alien mothership's UFO spawn and laser.
** The attack where it fires out blue shots that arc upwards is like Rootmars' green balls attack.
** The ReflectingLaser spray is somewhat similar to the one used by Amadeus in ''4''.
* AnnouncerChatter: *clickclick* '''HEAVYYYY MACHINE GUN!'''
** '''RAWKET LAWNCHAIR!'''
** '''SHAWTGUN!'''
** '''UH-OH BIG'''
*** '''MISHOWN COMEPLEET''' *ending theme*
* ArmiesAreEvil: General Morden's Rebel Army show up in just about every game, and their job is to cause [[ForTheEvulz chaos and destruction as]] [[AllThereInTheManual payback for the death of Morden's son]]. There are several other, less important armies as well, like the Arabian Infantry (found early on in ''Metal Slug 2'' and ''Metal Slug X''), the Ptolemaic Army (your main opponents in ''Metal Slug 5''), and the Japanese Army (found only on a secret path in ''Metal Slug 3'')
* AwesomeButImpractical: The Slug Gunner, a mecha version of the basic tank, looks awesome, and is featured in the trailers and cover art. But it's a lot slower than the regular tank- at least while walking. Hold down on your control pad to [[TransformingMecha deploy the treads and go to town.]]
** The downside to tank mode? You can only shoot forward. And it takes ''forever'' to turn around.
** Also, some of the weapons like the Drop Shot and the Iron Lizard look cool and explode, but the ammunition always drops, preventing you from hitting enemies above you, and aren't much more powerful than the Enemy Chaser or Rocket Launcher.
* AbnormalAmmo: Seriously? Nobody finds anything abnormal about bouncing explosive blobs, robotic exploding mini-cars (THAT SMILE), Stones, a knife that creates a wave of energy, a mini thunder cloud that fires lightning bolts, a floating mini satellite, a gun that rips shit up Emperor Palpatine style with arc lightning, or a revolver that shoots spinning, exploding rifles? [[RuleOfCool Nope.]]
* AttackItsWeakPoint: Required with some bosses, who are vulnerable only in some areas. Including Sol De Rocca (you must shoot the shining pearl in his face) and Scyther (the skull in his chest.)
* BackgroundBoss: Scyther, the FinalBoss of the fifth game.
* BadassNormal: The main characters are more than capable of taking on zombies, yetis, zombie yetis, aliens, giant robots, UFOs, and everything else with just a pistol and some WWII stick grenades.
** BadassAbnormal
* BaitAndSwitchBoss: [[spoiler: The final boss of Metal Slug 2/Metal Slug X]]
* BalloonBelly: Eating too much food will cause your character to become instantly obese (complete with mention from the Announcer). [[PowerUpFood This also makes your shots bigger,]] [[BiggerIsBetter and thus more powerful.]]
* BattleshipRaid: The final part of ''MetalSlug 3'' involves an assault on the Mars People's mothership and subsequent [[StormingTheCastle raid on the interior of such.]]
* BigCreepyCrawlies: ''Metal Slug 3'' in particular has a bunch of these, including locusts, crabs, snails, and [[CreepyCentipedes caterpillars]].
* BigEater: Nadia is a supermodel who has joined the military to burn off all the food she eats because she can't control her appetite.
* BigfootSasquatchAndYeti: ''Metal Slug 3'' had an ice cavern in Mission 2, filled with these. They had a homing ice breath that [[HarmlessFreezing would not kill the player]] (unless he was a zombie) but turn them into a snowman. If the player didn't escape from the snowman fast enough, the yeti would take out a bone club and whack the player to death.
* BilingualBonus: The Arabic writings in the first stages of ''2'' and ''X'' are jokes. Literally.
** Not exactly: the writings say "Indigestion Restaurent", "Corrupt Bank", and the big banners behind the boss basically say "I have diarreha , Bring me a doctor".
* BloodyMurder: Turning into a zombie lets you vomit acidic blood. Huh.
* BossBanter: "Come on, boy!" "Go home to mommy!"
* BottomlessMagazines: Nobody ever needs to reload - but the heroes will reload their pistols if you stop firing after about 5 or more consecutive shots and then stop, [[RuleOfCool just because.]] The special weapons aren't unlimited, but keep all their ammo in a single magazine.
* BottomlessPits: Occasionally combined with SuperDrowningSkills
* {{Bowdlerise}}: Some US home releases of the games replace Tarma's PrecisionFStrike death scream with Marco's death scream. And then there's the white blood...
* BrainInAJar: Metal Slug 3's Martian Guards are brains in jars attached to robot bodies. Metal Slug 6's Mission 3 boss is a HumongousMecha with a brain sitting on top inside a jar to serve as the head. It also has a couple eyeballs in there.
* CompilationRerelease: Metal Slug Anthology on PlaystationTwo, PSP, and Wii collects the first seven games in the series (1-6 and X) Though it misses the two NeoGeo Pocket games, as well as Metal Slug Advance and Metal Slug 3D, and the games suffer from slowdown you don't get with emulating the original ROMs with MVSPSP.
* ConceptArtGallery: A whole bunch of it is available in the collection ''Metal Slug Anthology'', which runs the gamut from incredibly detailed drawings of tanks and aircraft to [[FanService lots of pictures of the female characters]].
* CoolShades: Tarma never takes off his rather expressive sunglasses.
* ConservationofNinjutsu: This game practically runs on this trope. One or two people versus entire regiments of both infantry and tanks, as well as alien motherships, zombies, yetis, so on and so forth? No problem. Grab your quarters.
* {{Crossover}}: Aside from [[IkariWarriors Ralf & Clark]] and Fio (noted below) Mars People were mid-boss for ''[[CapcomVsWhatever SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos]]'' and playable in ''[[MascotFighter Neo Geo Battle Coliseum]]'' alongside Marco Rossi. Not to mention the appearance of the ENTIRE cast on the ''Card Fighter'' games.
* CursedWithAwesome: Being turned into a zombie slows you down and restricts you to a pistol... But it gives you a ridiculously powerful attack in which you vomit blood which eradicates everything in front of you. Plus, most conventional weapons won't do much to you, leaving you vulnerable only to Yetis, other zombies, and bosses.
* DatingSim: The Combat School extras on the home releases (Often [[NoExportForYou in Japanese.]]) has elements of this. [[{{Tsundere}} The instructors will warm up to you the better you perform in this mode, and will chew you out if you screw up]].
** Eventually, if your rank is especially high, you can chat with the instructor and get to know a little more about her. [[NoExportForYou Good luck understanding Sophia in MetalSlug 1, though.]]
* DeathIsASlapOnTheWrist: It's an arcade {{SHMUP}}, so you respawn where you died within a couple of seconds. Certain console ports, however, make you restart the level if you use a continue, which becomes a problem in Metal Slug 3's last level on the XBox port.
* DeathOfAThousandCuts: Even the most badass tank will go down if you shoot it enough with your pistol.
* DenialOfDiagonalAttack: Though the Heavy Machine Gun upgrade will let you shoot diagonally.
** It took until 6, but the Laser Gun can do so as well.
* DivergentCharacterEvolution:
** The fourth game: Trevor's melee attack earns extra points but immobilizes him when he uses it. He's kicking the enemy hard enough to shred them apart. Nadia, on the other hand, whips out a taser.
** The sixth game introduced differences between the characters. Marco's normal handgun does more damage. Eri gets more grenades from pick-ups and can throw them at any angle. Tarma gets more hit points when piloting a vehicle, and can lock the vehicle's gun in one position while moving. Fio receives more ammunition from special gun pick-ups. Ralf can take two hits before dying, and has a special melee move called the "Vulcan Punch." (Although he receives half the ammo and grenades from pick-ups.) Clark has a special move called the Super Argentinian Backbreaker which kills any man-sized enemy in one hit, makes him temporarily invincible and earns him a large stack of points the more he combos it.
** In XX, Leona has an amalgamation of the main team's skillset (stronger pistol, 20% more ammo and grenades, Slugs can take an extra hit, and her special melee acts like a short-range Zantetsu Sword). Marco also got the Burst Fire, which lets him use auto-fire, but has to stand still, and Tarma [[PercussiveMaintenance can kick Slugs, which can recover some health]] ([[NiceJobBreakingItHero however, it can also damage them on occasion.]])
* TheDragon: Allen O'Neal. However, during the Joint Strike on the Martian ship, he helps the player a few times. [[spoiler: He's trying to rescue his boss, after all.]]
* DummiedOut: A large number of things, most notably in Metal Slug 5. You can check a more detailed observation of said elements [[http://randomhoohaas.flyingomelette.com/MetalSlug-MissingInAction/MSAction-Main.htm here]].
* EldritchAbomination: [[SinisterScythe Scyther]] in 5. Also the Venusian Queen in 6.
* ElevatorActionSequence: Happen in ''4'' and done in reverse in ''5''.
* EliteMook
** The Sergeants are an uncommon Rebel footsoldier, and they wear yellow. They are just as weak as the normal soldiers, but they always drop a pickup when killed.
** The Amadeus Infantry in ''Metal Slug 5'' are among the most dangerous Rebel foot-soldiers, and they wear blue. Some of them are armed with the 7.62mm AR-10 Autorifle, which is one of the weapons you can use.
** Ptolemaic Officers wear grey uniforms and don't cover their faces like the other soldiers. They can shoot their pistols in any direction and can take an unusual amount of damage for a human enemy, but they will run if their troops are killed.
** The Ptolemaic Special Forces fight like an improved form of the standard Ptolemaic guerrilla. They tend to ambush you out of doors and elevators, and they can even throw knives.
** Ptolemaic Shamans can take more than one attack and can fire green, homing projectiles.
* EmergencyWeapon: The pistol and the knife. Depending on the circumstances, other emergency attacks include kicks, nightsticks, hand-axes, tridents, sporks, using your belt to WhipItGood while fat (or stabbing them with a giant fork), and [[TheOldestOnesInTheBook the old]] [[ImprobableWeaponUser telescopic-boxing-glove gag.]]
* EnemyMine: Statistically speaking, the Rebel Army is the king of this trope. They only truly appear in the first, second, third, and sixth Metal Slugs, and out of those 4, they team up with the heroes in 3.
** In ''Metal Slug 2'' their Martian allies betray them and kidnap their leader, causing the mooks to join forces with the heroes.
** In ''Metal Slug 3'' their leader was kidnapped and replaced by a disguised Martian, and after they figure this out, they join the heroes in their BattleshipRaid of the Martian's Mothership.
** Played with in ''Metal Slug 6''; they [[TooDumbToLive team up with the Martians]] ''[[TooDumbToLive again]]'', but a new alien species (or evil mole people that live underground?) finds Earth half-way through the game and find it ripe for the conquering. As for the favorite food of these aliens? Mars People. So now you, Morden's army, AND the Martians all team up against these new baddies.
*** The second alien army is referred to as being from Venus in some [[AllThereInTheManual supplemental material]]. And if TheTwilightZone taught us anything, Martians and Venusians are classic rivals in their attempts to conquer Earth ("Will the Real Alien Please Stand Up?")
* EverythingsBetterWithMonkeys- The Uzi-wielding chimpanzee partner that you could release from a box. In ''4'', your character could actually get turned into a similar monkey, with an increase in fire rate (as their weapon somehow turns into an Uzi too).
* EverythingsWorseWithBears: Subverted - the only bear to be found in the entire series is on a secret alternate path in Mission 3 of Metal Slug 4 (a snowy mountain)... and ''he helps you'', attacking the intruding Yeti-like monsters that infest this route. If you shoot him a few times he'll stop helping and leave, though.
** And played straight in that if you stand in the attack hitbox of his claw swipes, you die (with the same animation as though you were knifed).
* EvilKnockoff: The Ptolemic Army from Metal Slug 5 stole the blueprints of the titular tanks which allowed them to create their own bastardized Metal Slugs. In fact the first boss is a titanic Metal Slug dubbed [[MetalGearSolid Metal Rear.]]
** Metal Slug Advance for the Gameboy Advance had Formor,a larger version(3 times) of the Metal Slug
* EvilOverlooker: In an unlockable background in ''Metal Slug Anthology''.
* ExpressiveMask: Tarma in Metal Slug Double X, and also the tribesmen in Metal Slug 5, with their giant masks that laugh when they laugh.
* FamilyUnfriendlyDeath: For a game with a cartoony art style, people die in surprisingly disturbing ways. And there's blood ''everywhere''.
** Though in certain versions of the games you can change the color of the blood to white, which depending on how childish you are will either look like milk or semen.
* FanservicePack: Poor Fio just won't stop [[BreastExpansion gaining weight]] from one game to the next.
* FlashOfPain: For an example, an orange variety is found in Metal Slug 1.
* FranchiseZombie: After SNK's bankruptcy, after ''3'' that is. Fans generally believe that with SNK Playmore taking the series back for ''6'' on, the zombie has recovered.
* GasmaskMooks: The Ptolemaic Army soldiers.
* GatlingGood: See image at top of page. Some enemy soldiers wield them, for what good it does.
* GiantEnemyCrab: Metal Slug 3's first mission is full of giant crabs, with a truly enormous one serving as the boss. Take the right alternate route in the fourth level and you'll find some more.
* GiantSpaceFleaFromNowhere: Scyther, the final boss of the fifth game. After facing hordes of terrorists, robots and cultists you're greeted by a giant demon on the top of a tower. Only thing remotely connected is a single cutscene at the very beging of the game, and that's it.
** ''Metal Slug 3'' has no mentions of Mars people before they reveal themselves, however they are [[ForeShadowing not a complete surprise to the watchful eye.]] Morden has his eyepatch on the wrong eye, [[FunnyBackgroundEvent and a few Martians appear in the background of the first level.]] They were also an important part of the story in the second game.
** [[http://metalslug.wikia.com/wiki/Sol_Dae_Rokker Sol Dae Rokker]] from ''Metal Slug 3'' plays this straight.
* GoodLookingPrivates: Eri, Fio, Nadia ''and'' Leona.
* GoofyPrintUnderwear: The [=POWs=] dispense [[PowerUp Power Ups]] from giant pairs of blue-and-white-striped boxer shorts.
** When the Mars People turn on General Morden in ''Metal Slug 3'', they strip him to his polka-dot boxers. (When the same thing happened in ''Metal Slug 2/[[UpdatedRerelease X]]'', he was wearing pink bikini briefs.)
* GoneHorriblyWrong: Those weird mutants in ''2'' and ''X''? [[AllThereInTheManual Turns out they're the leftovers]] from a SuperSoldier project.
* GrossUpCloseUp: The character selection portraits in ''2''/''X'' and ''3''. For bonus points, if you choose Tarma, a drop of snot will come down from his nose.
* GuestFighter: [[TheKingOfFighters Ralf and Clark]] are playable in ''Metal Slug 6''. Returning the favor, Fio is unlockable in ''TheKingOfFighters: Maximum Impact 2''.
** Since Ralf and Clark returned in ''7'', it seems likely that they're here to stay.
** Marco Rossi also appeared in ''VideoGame/NeoGeoBattleColiseum'' as a playable character.
** XX (The PSP version of ''7'') added Leona. She previously appeared in the cell phone games.
* HighPressureBlood: Mooks leave a quite respectable trail of blood upon being shot or cut. Shooting down a Mook with the Shotgun results in them literally ''exploding'' into a burst of blood that is roughly twice the size of their regular sprite.
* HijackedByGanon: [[spoiler: [[InvertedTrope Inverted]] in ''Metal Slug 4''. What appears to be Allen O'Neal and General Morden are actually look-alike robots manufactured by a new enemy named Amadeus.]]
* IdenticalStranger: The NPC lawyer ([[AllThereInTheManual called Walker]]) encountered in ''2'''s first mission has an uncanny resemblance to [[spoiler: Amadeus, mentioned above]].
* IHaveAFamily:
** Although [[spoiler: Allen O'Neil]] himself doesn't invoke this in-game, [[AllThereInTheManual supplemental material says he has a wife and kid.]] [[ItRunsOnNonsensoleum This is apparently what gives him]] ContractualImmortality. Said kid shows up to fight you in the GBA version, however.
** General Morden [[AllThereInTheManual had a son who unfortunately died in a terrorist attack at Central Park]]. When he found out the attack could have easily been prevented if not for the high amount of corruption in the military and government, [[StartOfDarkness he betrayed the Regular Army]].
* HyperspaceArsenal: One miniboss from X is a superheavy assault plane that carries those huge tanks that drop themeselves on you when they run out of ammo. It carries an infinite supply.
* ImplacableMan: Allen O'Neal, Morden's bodyguard who soaks more damage than most tanks, and manages to [[BackFromTheDead come back from the dead]] an unnerving amount of times. In Metal Slug 2, he actually gets eaten by a killer whale which even spits out his bones afterward... and yet, in Metal Slug 3 he's there again, [[GatlingGood gatling]] and idiotic taunts and all, and he amazes us ''even more'' by [[spoiler: [[BackFromTheDead coming back from the dead ]] ''again'' and helping us]] in the endgame.
** Although he took a vacation after number 3, not appearing for a few games [[spoiler:The one in ''Metal Slug 4'' is actually a robot]], he returns in ''Metal Slug 7''.
* ImprobableWeaponUser: When in fat mode, your melee weapon (a combat knife or hatchet) is replaced with a really big spork. Or have a seat and whip out your plus-sized belt.
* LargeHam: The announcers (except for the first one). '''"HEAVYYYY MACHINEGUN!"''' [[SuperSoldier Allen]] as well: "AHAHAHAHAHA!! [[GoodBadTranslation GO HOME TO MOMMY!]]"
* LuckilyMyShieldWillProtectMe: Some Mooks get a riot shield. They will hide behind it, slipping out every so often to take a potshot. When you shoot the thing out of their hands, they waste their MercyInvincibility by panicking.
* MadeOfIron: In a series where most characters die from a single shot, Allen and Morden both absorb several hundred rounds of machine gun fire and/or dozens of direct hits from missiles and grenades every time they appear. Allen eventually dies only to [[UnexplainedRecovery show up alive in the next game]], but Morden is just knocked into submission by it. Morden also has been known to survive a gigantic metal plate crushing him and being strapped to a spaceship ''as it launches into space.''
* TheManyDeathsOfYou: Besides getting shot or stabbed, there are countless sprite animations for death, ranging from (while in fat mode) bursting like a balloon to getting sucked up by flying tentacle aliens to the various deaths turned into zombies or mummies! Lots of these can result in some pretty severe NightmareFuel.
* MarathonLevel: Many final stages are quite lengthy, but ''3''[='=]s final stage deserves a special mention. It is literally about half the game's length, taking as long as '''half an hour''' to finish.
* MascotMook: The hapless Rebel Grunts. Many fans were saddened by their absence in the fifth game, and they even got to be playable once.
* MechaMooks
* MechanicalMonster: Many people wouldn't know what it was when they first encountered it in ''Metal Slug 2/X'', but the [[http://metalslug.wikia.com/wiki/Aeshi_Nero Aeshi Nero]] is a [[SnakesAreEvil giant robot snake]] that's trying to "swallow" the pillar you're on!
* {{Meganekko}}: Fio.
* MilitaryMashupMachine: Almost every boss you encounter - especially in the later games - is a great hulking mishmash of military vehicles. The classic Land Battleship (by which we mean, "A battleship with giant treads bolted on") makes an appearance in ''Metal Slug 2'', and the very first boss in ''Metal Slug 3'' is a giant lobster with an artillery cannon fitted on top of it.
* MindControl: In Metal Slug 3 the character that you are controlling is abducted and then turned into clones and then clone zombies. In Metal Slug 6 players have their character's counterpart become controlled by the flying parasite things.
* MirrorBoss: Allen O'Neal.
** You also fight one of your fellow playable characters in Metal Slug 6, controlled by an alien. He/she has access to several of your special weapons, like the grenades and the Heavy Machine Gun.
* {{Mooks}}: With various animations and behavior, I might add.
* MookHorrorShow: Human enemies panic when you respawn in front of them. Except for bosses, but everyone from the lowest infantry to blue-suited doom troops loose their shit.
* MoreDakka: The Metal Slug franchise is heavily based off of awesome firepower, with heavy machine guns, BIG heavy machine guns, two machine guns, and other powerful weapons. This is then taken even further by the fact that players can become fat, increasing the power of their weapons (think of a heavy machine gun that is BIG and while fat). The vehicles with a huge vulcan machine gun (or 2) are also based off of this.
** Taken even further in Metal Slug 6 and 7, where playing as Fio immediately gives the player the (Big) Heavy Machine Gun. She also gets 50% more ammunition upon picking up other weapons.
** In ''Metal Slug 2'', there is much more dakka than [[UpToEleven the game engine can handle.]] One thing about ''Metal Slug X'' being an UpdatedRerelease is that the engine doesn't drop frames ''quite'' so much.
* NinjaPirateZombieRobot: [[LittleGreenMen Green]] [[AlienInvaders alien]] [[EverythingsDeaderWithZombies zombie]] [[CloningBlues clones]] [[BeamingGrin that puke streams]] [[BloodyMurder of blood]] in ''Metal Slug 3.''
* NightOfTheLivingMooks: Two has an egyptian tomb populated by Mummies. Three and Four have zombie themed levels.
* NintendoHard: Not surprising, since arcade games need to be able to get your quarters. There is a rule among fans: "When fighting a boss, use all your grenades immediately. You'll die and get a new set in a few seconds." Metal Slug 1 was hard, yet still the easiest of the games with each additional entry generally becoming harder, and one could say the purchase of any one of the games for a home console will pay for itself in saved quarters ''very'' quickly.
** Mike Uyama, [[SpeedRun speedrunning]] legend, explicitly states [[http://speeddemosarchive.com/MetalSlug3.html here]] it's harder than ''{{Contra}} III''. And he beat ''that'' game in 15 minutes.
*** -->''From Uyama himself:"Metal Slug 3 is longer, has more randomness, bosses don't die as quickly, and the hardest difficulty is considered impossible (or nearly impossible) to beat on one life. Whereas in Contra III, the game moves quickly, but there isn't much randomness. If that doesn't convince you, Contra III took me 10 days (this includes both practice and recording), Metal Slug 3 took me over a year."''
** The developers ''know'' that a very tiny fraction of clears will be proper clears done on one credit, because the ending result screen shows how many continues you used up. It's not uncommon to see, for instance, a continue count of 50 or more (in other words, over 150 lives lost) on ''Metal Slug 3'', especially given that it's longer than the other ones.
* NoCelebritiesWereHarmed: The BigBad Morden bears an uncanny resemblance to Saddam Hussein. According to the game's BackStory, he's actually from the province of New Brunswick in Canada.
** And his [[TheDragon right hand man Allen O'Neal]] evokes {{Rambo}} imagery with his shirtless, muscled body and giant gun.
*** He looks more like StoneColdSteveAustin though.
* NoExportForYou: The 3D game, but it's [[PolygonCeiling not that much of a loss anyways]]. Also, from the main series, the Combat School, a mission-based DatingSim.
* NoSwastikas: Mercilessly parodied via the enemy army, who aren't actually Nazis -- even in the Japanese version -- but wear Nazi uniforms, and have insignia strongly resembling poorly-censored Nazi insignia: Swastikas are plain black X-es and eagles become Phoenixes.
** It could be a ShoutOut to [[CharlieChaplin Charlie Chaplin's]] [[TheGreatDictator The Great Dictator]], since the former symbol appears in the movie.
** See also the insignia on the enemy tanks -that, by the way, resemble WorldWarII German ones-. It looks like a [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balkenkreuz Balkenkreuz]] rotated 45 degrees.
* ObligatorySwearing: Tarma F Bombs upon defeat.
* OneBulletAtATime: Well, more like Two Grenades At A Time. Getting in close and [[SpamAttack lobbing grenades like a maniac]] isn't just the key to speedruns -- sometimes it's the only remotely easy way to clear an area.
* OneHitPointWonder: It's a {{SHMUP}}, so no surprises here. If you're in a Slug, it will take 3 hits for you.
** Ralf in ''Metal Slug 6 and 7'' can take two hits. He's just that tough!
*** It's probably a reference to his KingOfFighters '99 victory quote "I can survive anything - even nukes!". Which makes it sort of a gameplay-influenced ShoutOut.
*** More like a necessary element, considering how close Ralf needs to get to tanks in order to use his anti-tank Vulcan Punch.
*** From game 6 onward, putting Tarma in a Vehicle doubles its defense, letting you take twice as many hits. Interestingly enough, Metal Slug Advance gave you a lifebar (refillable through eating food), but you could invoke this trope through activation of the "Paper Thin" card. (completing a level with it gave you another card for OneHundredPercentCompletion.)
* OneManArmy: Sometimes the Mooks actually scream and run for their lives if you approach them. They know.
** This is usually after they've killed you, only for you to accept the Continue screen and come back again...
*** For some fun, find two soldiers chatting with each other. Kill one and watch his friend [[OhCrap freak out and run.]]
* PainfullySlowProjectile: The Nop 03 Sarubia (tall grey tanks) specializes in shooting slow rolling bombs to force the players to dodge and jump, making them easy targets for its allies.
* PeopleJars: Mission 5 in Metal Slug 6 sees you rescuing [[spoiler: Mars People]] from these sort of jars.
* PrecisionFStrike: Tarma lets one out upon player miss.
** This can quickly turn into ClusterFBomb. [[NintendoHard You know why.]]
* {{Qurac}}: First level of Metal Slug 2 (and therefore X). One would assume that's why the next level has [[{{Mummy}} mummies]], too.
* RecycledInSpace: {{Contra}} [-AS AN SNK GAME-]!
* RecycledTitle: The [=3D=] ''Metal Slug'' game for the [=PS2=] is simply titled ''Metal Slug''.
* RedshirtArmy: The final mission of Metal Slug 6 starts out with you [[spoiler: leading some of Morden's soldiers through a cave leading to the alien atronghold. They only take one hit, like you, and they have reinforcements, but after around twenty are killed, no more will appear. Challenge yourself: See if you can get to the end of that section and still have at least one guy following you.]]
* RewardingVandalism: If you destroy any objects in the background, chances are it'll drop a useful item.
** Interestingly enough, in one of the levels of Metal Slug 2, vandalism gets punished - if you eat too much food, you'll grow to be fat. '''[[GratuitousEnglish (UH OH BIG)]]''' This means you're slower and a bigger target, so don't lose your tank. Of course, being fat also upgrades all your weapons, so...
*** However, in MetalSlug 3, there is no speed penalty, but no weapon upgrade.
* RingMenu: even on the console versions.
* RoboticReveal: [[spoiler: General Morden and Allen O'Neal]] in ''Metal Slug 4''.
* SandWorm: A giant flying worm is the fourth boss in 6. However, you face him in a bay.
* SeeYouInHell: Allen O'Neal's death cry, and practically his CatchPhrase.
* SequelDifficultySpike: ''Metal Slug 3''. Good lord, ''Metal Slug 3''. Take how many continues you took to complete ''2'' and double it. That's about how much you'll be spending in ''3''.
* ShockAndAwe: Several enemies use electrical attacks. the Sewer Sub boss from 1 and future rebels from 7 are prominent examples-the latter going so far as to have tesla coil armed specialist infantry and electrified gauntlets replacing knives as standard issue close combat weapons..
* ShortRangeShotgun: Taken literally and UpToEleven. The Shotgun is basically a directed explosion; it doesn't even hit past half a screen, but whatever it hits it virtually obliterates. The "Big" Shotgun, first seen in ''X'', ''does'' hit half the screen.
* ShoutOut: To ''Film/IndependenceDay'' in ''MetalSlug 2''; the mothership is destroyed by a lone pilot who flies into the WaveMotionGun's core, just like in the movie.
** See the part about Ralf above.
** In ''MetalSlug 3'' level ''2'' the boss drops a series of large black slabs with writing on them that some might say looks like the monolith from 2001ASpaceOdyssey.
** Also in ''MetalSlug 3'' there is an enemy on level 4 that looks like the brain eating bug from Starship Troopers.
** And the meat eating plants from ''MetalSlug 3'' look like the evil plants from The Little Shop of Horrors.
** The final level of ''MetalSlug 3'' features small alien grunts who bear a striking resemblence to the tripod aliens from the musical version of War of the Worlds. Which are themselves based on the description from the novel. (Yes, it did have a description for them. The only-showing-the-Tripods bit came from later adaptations)
*** This appears to be an ongoing theme with Japanese-designed Martians. Google around.
*** The final boss of ''3'' looks similar to [[Film/ETTheExtraTerrestrial E.T.]], though appearance is about where the likeness stops.
** Also in ''MetalSlug 3'''s final level, the Martians have elite guards who look like Daleks of Series/DoctorWho fame.
** The BGM for the first level of MS 3 is known as ''Blue Water Fangs'' aka ''[[MadDoctor The Island of Dr. Moreau]]''.
** The boss of the fifth mission of Metal Slug 7/Metal Slug XX, "[[MeaningfulName The Union]]", bears a HUGE resemblance to the 4th boss of ''VideoGame/{{R-Type}}''. Both are made of three separate parts, each with a [[AttackItsWeakPoint weak core that the player had to shoot]]. See the similarity [[http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/MetalSlug7rtype.jpg here]] (the [[AttackItsWeakPoint cores]] are circled). Not surprising, as the founders of MetalSlug broke off from {{Irem}}, the company who created ''R-Type''.
** The submarine paths in MS3 are most likely a reference to earlier game ''VideoGame/InTheHunt'' (see SpiritualSuccessor below), right down to the part where you have to dodge lava. Another In The Hunt reference can be found in MS2, the China stage, where you have to avoid missiles coming up from the ground: in ITH the submarine had to endure a similar stunt. The visuals are pretty similar, too.
*** The Slug Mariner's color scheme is one to ''VideoGame/InTheHunt''.
*** Also, the Slug Mariner looks suspiciously (and ironically) based on a little HELICOPTER (complete with vulcan cannon,but not placed the same way as the aforementioned Slug) from Battle Chopper, another game by Irem.
* SinkTheLifeBoats: If you destroy one of Morden's boats, the soldiers will bail out and the ship will break apart... but when the smoke clears you'll see the boat, now tilted upward dangerously and obviously crippled, with a lone weaponless soldier desperately trying to bail it out. Go ahead, finish the boat off and get your point bonus, you monster.
** It's not like you have a choice - you have to destroy every enemy to move on during most screens, and while the boat's still floating, it counts.
*** Do note, enemies will file out if you take too long.
* SpinToDeflectStuff: The Venusians in ''Metal Slug 6'' use this one quite often. The even roll on the floor and spin-jump around like a [[SonicTheHedgehog certain blue hedgehog]]... Oh, and they kill you if you touch them while they're spinning.
** Semi-subversion; the bullets do deflect off (while not harming you, thankfully), but the Venusians will still take damage.
** The trooper clones in MS3's final level (spaceship section) deflect HMG and Vulcan bullets while jumping.
* SpiritualSuccessor: ''MetalSlug'' shares a lot of graphical and gameplay similarities with the earlier shooters ''VideoGame/InTheHunt'' and ''{{Gunforce}} 2'', both of which were made by the same team. It also shares a lot of visual design and trope usage with ''VideoGame/UndercoverCops'', a BeatEmUp also developed by said team. The NeoGeo run & gunner ''Cyber-Lip'' was also apparently done by said team, though the connections aren't as obvious.
* SuperDrowningSkills: Unless you have the appropriate equipment.
** Justified in Metal Slug 3's Mission 1. The water is infested with man-eating fish that will strip a character down to their skeleton should they fall in.
*** Incomparably frustrating if this happens while missing the jump to the Marine Slug (and associated level path).
** Also justified in Metal Slug 2/X's final mission. The water is ICY COLD and a drop in it will make your character frozen in an ice block.
** And justified in Metal Slug 6's mission 1's river, the current was rapid. And mission 2 had the same flying piranhas!
* SurprisinglyGoodEnglish: Though made in Japan, the ''MetalSlug 3-D'' cutscenes had fully-spoken English with Japanese subtitles. The regular announcer also speaks perfect English...most of the time (ROCKET LAUWNCHER!).
* SurvivorGuilt: At the ending of the first game, in the London level, you find what is usually presumed the daughter of a dead enemy soldier. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukBzGrsA1Ds Jump at 2:44.]]
** She only appears if you finish in one player mode, where the credits scroll over the destruction you left behind (graves, devastated buildings, wrecked tanks, etc). Complete a co-operative game, and all the enemy forces are seen having a party instead. The outro music also changes appropriately (or inappropriately, depending on your point of view).
* SuspiciousVideogameGenerosity: Right at the end of Metal Slug 6. No enemies, no music, and a Metal Slug for you to ride. Uh-oh...
* StrongFleshWeakSteel: The special ability of one of the Ikari Warriors in part 6 is to punch right through tank armor.
* StockScream: If the mooks get set on fire or blown up, they'll often let rip one of these. Also, if you die... they laugh and shrug as if to say "what was the big deal?"... and freak out when you come back thanks to the magic of extra lives.
* StuffBlowingUp: '''''A LOT'''''
* SufficientlyAdvancedAlien: Tuatha De Dunaan
* TankGoodness: An incredibly cute example, with a strong resemblance to the mini-tank from DominionTankPolice.
* SuspiciouslySimilarSong: The mission 3 music of ''Metal Slug 2'' has a sax solo taken from the shooter ''Air Duel''. The underwater theme of ''Metal Slug 3'' is a remix of the stage 3 music of ''Air Duel''.
** The Desert theme from ''Metal Slug 3'' bears more than an uncanny resemblance to Music/IronMaiden's Powerslave.
* ThisIsADrill: In one path of ''Metal Slug 3'', you get a Drill Slug, which can drill right through those nasty big creepy crawlies. Ichor spews EVERYWHERE.
* TrickBoss: The FinalBoss of Metal Slug 6 is a yellowish alien core thingy. It [[StationaryBoss doesn't even move]], and is aided by only a [[FlunkyBoss few mooks that come at moderate intervals]]. After defeating it, the Morden soldiers come in and celebrate your victory over the enemy... when the alien in the destroyed core fires out a destructive wave, killing all of them. Time for the REAL final boss battle.
** Done again in Metal Slug 3D, though the first "battle" is against an actual challenging enemy.
* TrouserSpace: The [=POWs=] take this a step further by keeping powerups in their underwear.
* TurnsRed: Allen O'Neil turns red gradually as you hurt him more. He might change his pattern a little bit, but the major point to him turning red is to assure you that yes, you are in fact making progress.
* UncommonTime - No two versions of Steel Beast (The boss theme of the first Metal Slug) share a time signature (Except 2 and 3).
* UnexpectedGameplayChange: Occasionally, ''Metal Slug'' games will shift from a run-and-gun to a ShootEmUp. Okay, so they're not all that different as genres (some people class the former under the latter, even), but the way you play changes a bit.
* UngratefulBastard: Despite saving his ass (and organization!) in both Metal Slug 2/X and 3, Morden still tries to kill the protagonists in 6 and 7/XX. Although he ''is'' leader of world wide rebellion which player opposes.
** For what it's worth, though [[spoiler: Either Morden or Rootmars will save the player at the end of Metal Slug 6, depending on what route you took in stage 4.]]
* UpdatedRerelease: ''Metal Slug X'' was a redesign of ''Metal Slug 2''; the primary difference is that some slowdown problems were corrected.
** X was also a LOT more generous with the power ups - especially for those playing co-op games. I also suspect they took a lot of hitpoints away from some of the bosses.
** Aside from the upgraded game engine, which helped deal with the slowdown, X also introduced the Iron Lizard, Drop Shot, Super Grenade and Enemy Chaser weapons. It also gave us the BIG versions of the Original weapons (Heavy Machine Gun, Rocket Launcher, Shotgun, Flame Shot, and even the Laser Gun.)
** XX is an updated version of Metal Slug 7 from the DS, for the PSP.
* WarHasNeverBeenSoMuchFun: ''Boy howdy.''
* WaveMotionGun: The Lasergun from ''MetalSlug 2'' onwards. Shown LITERALLY in-game if the player fires a Lasergun or BIG Lasergun while fat.
* [[WakeUpCallBoss Wake Up Call Level]]: The last mission of Metal Slug 3. It's just as long, if not longer than the rest of the missions combined, throwing in twist after twist at you along with very hard sequences and bosses.
* WeaponizedAnimal: The Camel Slug, Elephant Slug, Ostrich Slug and Donkey Slug, animals with a rapid-fire gun attached to them. On the Rebel Army's side, we have [[GiantEnemyCrab Huge Hermit]], a huge hermit crab with a tank for its shell.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Many ideas and models were scrapped from the final product, expecially in 5. Including a giant turtle-like mecha and the native zapped by the lightning at the beginning as the final boss on a levitating, laser-spitting pillar. See [[http://randomhoohaas.flyingomelette.com/MetalSlug-MissingInAction/MSAction-Main.htm this page]] for all the stuff that people have found from the game files.
* TheWorfEffect: The first game sets up Morden as an influential, well-armed, and [[MadeOfIron nearly indestructible]] general. The second and third games allow the Mars People to humiliatingly defeat him to show how much more dangerous they are. The sixth game demonstrates the Venus People as an even greater threat by showing them obliterating Morden ''and'' the Mars People.
* VictoryPose: Every character from the main MetalSlug games does a victory pose in the end of each mission.
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair: Leona.
* {{Zeerust}}: Most of the "High-Tech" devices in the series are intentionally Zeerusty, from the aforementioned land battleship, to pulp robots, to 50s B movie flying saucers. In particular, many vehicles (including aircraft) appear to be constructed of heavier metals riveted together.
* ZergRush: There are a few sequences like this in the series, but the best one might be the ridiculous Venusian onslaught in Mission 3 of Metal Slug 6. They just keep coming in from the right and coming in from the right...
* ZombieApocalypse: The second ''MetalSlug 3'' level pits you against zombies. You can be turned into a zombie, which kills your movement and weapon, but gives you an obscenely powerful blood vomit attack instead of grenades and makes you immune to normal mooks' attacks. Later in the game, evil duplicates of the player get turned into zombies... and unfortunately also have the blood vomit attack.
** On the bright side, if they zombify you, you can use the blood vomit on ''them'', and if you thought grenades were good for clearing the screen... then you haven't seen the blood vomit attack.
*** Unfortunately, the [[NinjaPirateZombieRobot alien zombie clones]] can't zombify you with their blood vomit - it just kills your character outright. Which gives them a nasty advantage over you, especially if you lose your only advantage against them (namely, small hills protecting you from the blood blasts).
*** Better yet, occasionally during this sequence you can find an evil, non-zombie duplicate during this section. In previous sections, they died with a single bullet, but in this section ''they have as much health as a zombie''. This means you need to use a few grenades, several bullets, or a powerful weapon to kill them while they jump around and melee/shoot you. Meanwhile, more evil duplicate zombies are coming from the left using their vomit attack. Have fun!
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