Metal Slug Ultimate Collection Hits PS5 Wishlists Ahead of 2027 Launch

Get ready to yell "Heavy Machine Gun!" all over again, because SNK's big Metal Slug birthday bash just got one step closer. The Metal Slug Ultimate Collection now has its PS5 store page live, which means you can smash that wishlist button right now while you wait for the 2027 launch.

If you somehow missed the announcement, this is the series' 30th anniversary celebration pack. It's headed to Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam in 2027, so basically every platform you could want. No word yet on an exact date, but at least the wishlist option is there to scratch that itch.

So what's actually inside? Quite a lot, honestly. The collection pulls together the mainline run from the original Metal Slug all the way through Metal Slug 7, and it even throws in Metal Slug Advance for good measure. But the real headline grabber for longtime fans is a "Location Test version" — an unreleased test build that has almost never been shown to the public. That's the kind of deep-cut archival stuff collectors dream about.

Quality-of-life features are here too, and they sound genuinely handy. You're getting quick save and quick load, plus a rewind function that lets you roll back a few seconds when a boss absolutely obliterates you. There's also a Combat School mode to teach you both the basics and the advanced tech, online leaderboards so you can compare scores with players worldwide, and co-op play for when you want to share the chaos.

Here's the full lineup of what's included: Metal Slug (1996), Metal Slug 2 (1998), Metal Slug X (1999), Metal Slug 3 (2000), Metal Slug 4 (2002), Metal Slug 5 (2003), Metal Slug Advance (2004), Metal Slug 6 (2006), Metal Slug 7 (2008), and that mysterious Metal Slug Location Test version.

One small note from SNK: the features and modes available can vary depending on which title you're playing, so don't expect every single option to work identically across all ten games.

Whether you're a veteran who's been dodging grenades since the arcade days or a newcomer curious about what all the fuss is about, the collection is built so you can enjoy it your own way. Pixel art this gorgeous and action this satisfying doesn't really age, after all.

Which Metal Slug entry are you most hyped to replay — or are you diving straight into that unreleased Location Test build? Let us know in the comments.