METAL SLUG 3 similar games & best alternatives

METAL SLUG 3 - Trailer
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METAL SLUG 3 - metal-slug-3_2.avif
METAL SLUG 3 - metal-slug-3_3.avif
METAL SLUG 3 - metal-slug-3_4.avif
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METAL SLUG 3

Arcade, Neo Geo AES, Web browser, Neo Geo MVS, Wii, Xbox 360, Xbox One • 2015

Should you play it?

“METAL SLUG 3”, the masterpiece in SNK’s emblematic 2D run & gun action shooting game series, still continues to fascinate millions of fans worldwide to this day for its intricate dot-pixel graphics, and simple and intuitive game controls, heads out to the Steam gaming platform!

What works

  • Classic, fun, and challenging run-and-gun gameplay
  • Strong local and online co-op multiplayer
  • Multiple branching paths and replayability
  • Vibrant pixel art and memorable soundtrack
  • Nostalgic appeal with faithful arcade port

Things to keep in mind

  • Short single-player campaign length
  • Some technical issues like occasional lag and sound bugs
  • Limited character customization and story depth
  • Online matchmaking limited to friends list
  • High difficulty may frustrate casual players

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feels the closest overall

  • Broforce

  • Son of a Witch

  • METAL SLUG X

  • Ms. Splosion Man

  • Jamestown

  • Abathor

Less competitive

Games that feels like METAL SLUG 3 but with less competition against others

  • METAL SLUG 2

  • Contra: Operation Galuga

  • Blazing Chrome

  • Ghosts 'n Goblins Resurrection

  • Astral Ascent

  • Frosthaven

Less intimate

Games that feels like METAL SLUG 3 but with less focus on close relationships

  • Super Hydorah

  • Half Minute Hero: The Second Coming

  • Aqua Kitty - Milk Mine Defender

  • Serious Sam Classic: The Second Encounter

  • Insanity's Blade

  • DOOM + DOOM II

More expressive

Games that feels like METAL SLUG 3 but with more self-expression and customization

  • Worms W.M.D

  • Serious Sam Double D XXL

  • Awesomenauts

  • Fight'N Rage

  • Shatterline

  • River City Saga: Three Kingdoms

Choose your own criteria ->

From the same developer

From the same developer, ranked by motivational fit.

  • METAL SLUG X

  • METAL SLUG 2

  • THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIV STEAM EDITION

  • SNK 40th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTION

  • THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIII STEAM EDITION

Similarity map

How to compare these games

Compare nearby games

Each card is a nearby game on the similarity map, compared with METAL SLUG 3. Swipe sideways to move between games. Titles already listed in What to play next are left out.

  • Cover and title: open that game’s page.
  • What works / keep in mind: the same highlights as the desktop comparison panel.
  • Bars: the main motivational differences versus this game.
How to use the graph

Similarity map

Each dot is a game placed from its motivation profile relative to this page’s game. Direction shows which motivation differs most; distance along that axis shows how large the gap is.

  • Purple star: this page’s game at the centre — everything is relative to it.
  • Direction: each axis is a main motivational difference vs this game (e.g. more / less competitive).
  • Distance on an axis: how large that difference is (ring scales show +/− points).
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot to preview that game in the panel on the right; click to keep that comparison.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom.

How to read the map This is a polar difference map: direction = which motivation differs, and distance = how much (same units as the sidebar deltas).

Swipe to compare nearby games with METAL SLUG 3. These titles are not in What to play next.

METAL SLUG 3: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Competition. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation, Expression.

Last update: 21/08/2026