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Metal Slug 3
合金弹头 3
Metal Slug 3 is a run-and-gun shooter developed by SNK and released in 2000. Players control armed soldiers fighting through military-themed environments against waves of enemies, collecting power-ups and specialized weapons along the way. The game is known for its fluid sprite animation, detailed pixel art, and challenging arcade difficulty. A standout feature is the vehicle transformations—players can commandeer tanks and other military hardware to gain temporary combat advantages. The 2-player cooperative mode allows friends to tackle missions together, with constant on-screen action and explosive set pieces. The game features multiple paths through levels, encouraging different tactical approaches and weapon selections. Its colorful visuals and responsive controls made it a popular arcade cabinet attraction during the early 2000s.
- Developer
- SNK
- Released
- 2000
- Platform
- Arcade
- Genre
- Action
- Players
- 2P
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 (8.8K)
- Last updated
Metal Slug 3 Controls — Arcade Keyboard Keys
Default keyboard bindings for Metal Slug 3 on our in-browser Arcade emulator. Plug in a USB or Bluetooth gamepad to auto-detect mappings, or rebind any key from the emulator settings menu.
| Keyboard | Console button | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| ↑ | Joystick Up | Move up |
| ↓ | Joystick Down | Move down |
| ← | Joystick Left | Move left |
| → | Joystick Right | Move right |
| X | Button 1 | Primary action (jump / confirm) |
| Z | Button 2 | Secondary action (attack / cancel) |
| S | Button 3 | Tertiary action |
| A | Button 4 | Quaternary action |
| Q | Button 5 | Fifth button |
| W | Button 6 | Sixth button |
| 5 | Insert Coin | Insert coin |
| 1 | 1P Start | Start / Pause |
Coin and Start are convention "Insert Coin: 5" and "1P Start: 1". Some arcade boards expect specific button mappings — check the in-game prompts on coin-up.
Rebind any key from the EmulatorJS in-game settings menu (gear icon → Controls). A connected gamepad auto-maps to the same buttons.
Metal Slug 3 Longplay & Gameplay Videos
Watch a full playthrough of Metal Slug 3 on Arcade before you dive in — recommended for getting a feel for the game's pacing, story beats, and difficulty curve.
Watch longplay on YouTube
"Metal Slug 3" Arcade longplay 2000
External references
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Metal Slug 3 released?
Metal Slug 3 was released in 2000 for the Arcade.
Who developed Metal Slug 3?
Metal Slug 3 was developed by SNK, available to play in your browser on RetroGameSpace.
How many players does Metal Slug 3 support?
Metal Slug 3 supports up to 2 players, ideal for couch co-op or competitive sessions on the Arcade.
What type of game is Metal Slug 3?
Metal Slug 3 is a Action game for the Arcade, playable instantly in your browser — no downloads, no installs.
How can I play Metal Slug 3 for free?
Open this page and click "Play Now" — Metal Slug 3 runs free in your browser via WebAssembly emulation. No account, no payment, no installer.
Do I need to download anything to play Metal Slug 3 in the browser?
No. Metal Slug 3 streams from a public archive into a browser-side Arcade emulator. Nothing is installed on your computer.
Can I save my progress in Metal Slug 3?
Yes. Save states are stored in your browser (IndexedDB) per game, and you can also use any in-game save the original Arcade cartridge supported.
Does Metal Slug 3 work on mobile devices?
Yes — the Arcade emulator runs on iOS Safari and Android Chrome. Touch controls overlay the game; landscape mode is recommended.
Is it legal to play Metal Slug 3 this way?
RetroGameSpace is a transient caching reverse-proxy and does not host first-party copies of Metal Slug 3. Game files are fetched on demand from publicly-accessible archives. You are responsible for compliance with your local laws and the bring-your-own-ROM principle.