While (released late 2024) is primarily a single-player and co-op experience, it has sparked interest in speedrunning and high-score competitions. Additionally, Metal Slug characters often appear in SNK's broader esports ecosystem.
However, 2025 is poised to be a significant year for the series due to the upcoming release of Metal Slug Tactics , the enduring popularity of the arcade classics via modern ports, and the continued high-level play within the "STG" (Scrolling Shooter) and "Arcade Speedrun" communities. metal slug esports schedule 2025
The biggest variable in the 2025 schedule is the release of . While (released late 2024) is primarily a single-player