Metal Slug 1996

Released: April 19, 1996
Anniversary: Turned 30 on April 19
Genres: Shooter · Platform · Arcade
Platforms: Arcade · Neo Geo AES · PlayStation 3 · Linux · Wii · Android · PC · iOS · Mac · PlayStation Portable · Neo Geo CD
Developer: Nazca Corporation
More info: Wikipedia IGDB

Where to buy

Digital: GOG Fanatical $7.79-3% Steam Nintendo PlayStation Xbox

More deals on Fanatical, and in Action
In a collection: Metal Slug Anthology

PlayStation

Metal Slug Bundle

GOG
Physical: Neo Geo Arcade 1 Search on Amazon

Affiliate links: GOG, Fanatical, Green Man Gaming, ININ Games and Amazon

Is it still worth playing?

Nazca Corporation's 1996 run and gun for the Neo Geo arcade hardware, in which the Peregrine Falcon Squad fights the army of General Donald Morden during an attempted coup. You start with a handgun with unlimited ammo and limited grenades, and temporary weapons come from pickups, often from rescued prisoners of war. Up close, touching an enemy triggers a melee attack much stronger than most shots. At set points in each level the Metal Slug, a tank, appears, takes a fair amount of damage and ejects you when it explodes. Everything on screen reacts. Enemies are blasted into the air with exaggerated animations, or act humorously when they have not noticed you, and two players can play at once. Animation that answers everything you do still gives each level its pace today.