Metal Slug 6

Game Overview

Released in Japanese arcades on February 24, 2006, Metal Slug 6 marks a technical shift for the series by moving from Neo-Geo to the more powerful Atomiswave platform. This allowed for improved graphical effects (including shadows and camera zoom), updated animations, and higher resolution. The story returns to the Rebel–Martian conflict of earlier games but expands it: the player characters now form an uneasy alliance with both the Rebel Army and the Martians to fight a greater common threat.

Players control one of six characters (the classic Marco, Tarma, Eri, and Fio, plus Ralf and Clark from the Ikari Warriors / King of Fighters series). Each character has unique attributes for movement speed, vehicle handling, and ammo capacity. New gameplay features include a Weapon Stock System that lets players carry two special weapons at once and switch between them, plus a dynamic score multiplier based on how quickly enemies are defeated. The game supports two-player cooperative play and features the series’ trademark mix of intense shooting, vehicle sections, and over-the-top bosses. In MAME the set is mslug6 (requires the Atomiswave BIOS). Emulation is currently listed as preliminary.

Quick Specifications

• Title: Metal Slug 6
• Developer: Noise Factory / SNK Playmore
• Publisher: Sega (arcade) / SNK Playmore (home)
• Release Year: 2006 (Arcade – Japan, February 24)
• Platform: Arcade (Sammy Atomiswave)
• Genre: Run and Gun / Side-scrolling Shooter
• Players: 1–2 simultaneous
• Controls: 8-way joystick, multiple buttons (typically 6)
• Hardware: Atomiswave (Hitachi SH-4 based)
• Display: Horizontal raster, 640 × 480
• MAME ROM set: mslug6 (requires awbios)
• Modes: Arcade, Versus / Cooperative

Key Features

• First Metal Slug game on Atomiswave hardware with enhanced graphics and effects.
• Six playable characters including newcomers Ralf and Clark.
• Weapon Stock System allowing two special weapons to be carried and switched.
• Dynamic score multiplier that rewards aggressive play.
• Classic Metal Slug vehicles, hostages, and over-the-top bosses.
• Two-player cooperative support.
• Updated sound effects, music, and character voices.
• Available in MAME (preliminary status) and later home ports / compilations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Metal Slug 6?

It is the sixth main entry in the Metal Slug run-and-gun series, released in 2006. It is the only arcade Metal Slug game that does not run on Neo-Geo hardware.

What hardware does the arcade version use?

It runs on Sammy’s Atomiswave arcade system (SH-4 based), not the Neo-Geo MVS.

Who are the playable characters?

Marco Rossi, Tarma Roving, Eri Kasamoto, Fio Germi, plus Ralf Jones and Clark Still.

What is the Weapon Stock System?

Players can carry two special weapon power-ups at the same time and switch between them (or holster both to use the default pistol).

What is the main MAME ROM set?

The set is mslug6. It requires the Atomiswave BIOS (awbios.zip). Emulation status is currently preliminary.

Was Metal Slug 6 ported to home consoles?

Yes. A PlayStation 2 version was released in 2006–2007, and the game is included in Metal Slug Anthology and later collections.