Which version of Metal Slug 3 is on this page?
It is SNK's 2000 Neo Geo arcade release, not a later Xbox, PlayStation, mobile, or anthology port.
Metal Slug 3 (2000 Arcade)
Metal Slug 3 turns the 2000 Neo Geo arcade campaign into the series' most route-driven early entry, with branching paths, unusual transformations, and vehicles ranging from the Slug Mariner to the Drill and Elephant Slugs. This guide explains the original controls, route decisions, weapon conservation, and why a safer path can matter more than the largest immediate reward.
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Overview
SNK released Metal Slug 3 for Neo Geo arcade hardware in 2000. Marco, Tarma, Eri, and Fio return for a five-mission campaign that begins with Morden's forces and expands into zombies, sea creatures, aliens, and a long final operation.
Several missions split into alternate paths, changing enemies, hazards, POW opportunities, transformations, and vehicles before routes meet again. That structure gives repeated runs real variety instead of making every playthrough follow one fixed corridor.
The joystick-and-three-button controls remain familiar, but the vehicle set grows to include the Slug Mariner, Drill Slug, Elephant Slug, and other specialized forms alongside the classic Metal Slug and Slugnoid. Transformations change movement and attacks, so route knowledge includes knowing when the character's normal rhythm will be replaced.
Controls
- Arcade joystick
- Move, crouch, aim upward, and steer the current Slug
- A button
- Fire the current weapon or a vehicle's primary gun
- B button
- Jump on foot or leave a vehicle when the current Slug permits it
- C button
- Throw a grenade or use a vehicle's limited heavy attack
Before you play
- Choose routes for survival first. A branch with more POWs or items is not automatically better if its hazards counter the weapon or transformation you currently have.
- Learn each Slug's movement before spending its heavy ammunition. The Mariner, Drill, and Elephant do not position themselves like the standard tank, and a bad angle can waste both armor and shells.
- Keep a grenade reserve for the final mission. Its extended sequence repeatedly mixes infantry, armored targets, and bosses, making an empty inventory much more costly than in a short early branch.
- When transformed, test movement and the basic shot in a safe space. Zombie and underwater sections change the pace enough that normal jump-and-fire habits can create avoidable damage.
Known limitations
- This is the original 2000 Arcade release, so route-select conveniences, galleries, and other extras from later home versions are not part of this version.
FAQ
Does Metal Slug 3 have branching routes?
Yes. Several missions offer alternate paths with different enemies, hazards, POWs, transformations, and vehicles before the routes reconnect.
What are the original Metal Slug 3 controls?
The arcade game uses a joystick plus A to fire, B to jump, and C for grenades or a Slug's heavy weapon. Check the player key guide for the current keyboard mapping.
What vehicles appear in Metal Slug 3?
Alongside familiar machines, the game introduces specialized vehicles such as the Slug Mariner, Drill Slug, and Elephant Slug, with different movement and attacks.
Can two players play Metal Slug 3?
The original arcade release supports two-player cooperative play. The controls above describe one arcade control set.
