BODY: Fans of frantic, hand-drawn shooting had reason to cheer during the September 9 Nintendo Direct: SNK announced METAL SLUG ULTIMATE COLLECTION, a compilation bundling all 10 mainline entries in the series to mark its 30th anniversary. The package is scheduled to launch in 2027.
The "Metal Slug" franchise debuted on SNK's Neo Geo arcade hardware in 1996, quickly earning a cult following for its buttery pixel animation, chaotic two-player co-op, and dark comic-book humor. Gathering the full run-and-gun lineage into a single release is a milestone moment for a series that has long lived on across scattered ports and digital re-releases.
While SNK stopped short of confirming every platform, feature, and price point at the Direct, the "all 10 titles" framing signals the most complete package the series has ever received. For newcomers, it's an easy on-ramp; for veterans, it's a chance to revisit the Neo Geo-era originals without hunting down aging hardware or piecemeal downloads.
The reveal also fits SNK's broader momentum. Now backed by Saudi Arabia's investment in the company, the publisher has been steadily reviving its heritage catalog, and a flagship anniversary collection is a natural centerpiece for that strategy heading into 2027.
The insider take
From Tokyo, the timing feels deliberate. SNK has spent recent years rebuilding its brand at home and abroad, and "Metal Slug" remains one of its most internationally beloved IPs โ arguably more recognized overseas than the fighting-game lineup SNK is better known for domestically. Announcing at a Nintendo Direct, rather than a standalone SNK stream, suggests the company is chasing the massive Switch (and likely Switch 2) audience where retro compilations reliably sell. Expect the 2027 window to firm up as SNK gauges appetite ahead of the anniversary proper.
Originally reported by 4Gamer.net โ ๆๆฐ่จไบ (Japanese).