Metal Slug Ultimate Collection Announced for 2027
The inclusion of the never-released location test version marks a preservation effort that extends beyond the nine mainline titles, giving players access to a piece of Metal Slug history that has rarely been publicly shown.
Key Facts
- METAL SLUG ULTIMATE COLLECTION was announced during the Nintendo Direct 2026.9.9 stream on September 9, 2026.
- The collection is scheduled for release in 2027 for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.
- Online co-op play and a gallery mode are included.
- Both physical and download versions are planned, according to 4Gamer.net.
Reporting from 5 sources: 4Gamer.net, GAME Watch (Impress), Denfaminicogamer, Game Spark, and 1 more.
During the Nintendo Direct 2026.9.9 broadcast on September 9, 2026, publisher SNK announced METAL SLUG ULTIMATE COLLECTION, a compilation for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch scheduled for release in 2027. The set commemorates the 30th anniversary of the run-and-gun series and gathers 10 titles in total, from the original METAL SLUG through METAL SLUG 7, plus the Game Boy Advance entry METAL SLUG ADVANCE and a location test version never officially released. The included games span the series' arcade and console history, with original platforms ranging from NEOGEO MVS to PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS. The collection adds online co-op play and a gallery mode for viewing illustrations and other content. Physical and download versions are planned. The location test version is described by multiple sources as legendary and rarely shown to the public, revived after 30 years. The announcement was part of a Nintendo Direct presentation streamed on September 9, 2026.
SNK is releasing the collection on both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, with physical and download versions planned. The publisher positions the set as a 30th anniversary celebration of the series, which several outlets note has been beloved by fans worldwide for many years.
- METAL SLUG (1996, NEOGEO MVS)
- METAL SLUG 2 (1998, NEOGEO MVS)
- METAL SLUG X (1999, NEOGEO MVS)
- METAL SLUG 3 (2000, NEOGEO MVS)
- METAL SLUG 4 (2002, NEOGEO MVS)
- METAL SLUG 5 (2003, NEOGEO MVS)
- METAL SLUG ADVANCE (2004, Game Boy Advance)
- METAL SLUG 6 (2006, PlayStation 2)
- METAL SLUG 7 (2008, Nintendo DS)
- Legendary location test version (never officially released)
The lineup tracks the series across its arcade and handheld generations, starting on NEOGEO MVS hardware and moving through PlayStation 2 and Nintendo DS. The location test version is the only entry without a retail release, and multiple outlets describe it as rarely shown to the public. The announcement aired as part of the Nintendo Direct 2026.9.9 broadcast, which streamed from 23:00 on September 9, 2026. Online play and the gallery mode are described as additions to the compilation rather than features of the original arcade releases.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 5 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.
Sources
- 4Gamer.net 「メタルスラッグ」シリーズ全10タイトルを収録。30周年記念「METAL SLUG ULTIMATE COLLECTION」2027年発売
- GAME Watch (Impress) 「メタルスラッグ」10作を収録！ 「METAL SLUG ULTIMATE COLLECTION」が2027年にリリースへ【ニンダイ】
- Denfaminicogamer 『METAL SLUG ULTIMATE COLLECTION』が発表。初代『メタルスラッグ』から『X』『7』『ADVANCE』をはじめ、ロケテスト版を含めた全10作を収録
- Game Spark 歴代シリーズ9作品＋幻のロケテスト版を収録した『METAL SLUG ULTIMATE COLLECTION』が発売！【Nintendo Direct 2026.9.9】
- Inside 歴代シリーズ9作品＋幻のロケテスト版を収録した『METAL SLUG ULTIMATE COLLECTION』が発売！【Nintendo Direct 2026.9.9】