Metal Slug - 1st Mission

Your objective is to survive through each side-scrolling stage, defeating enemy soldiers and vehicles while rescuing POWs for extra points and power-ups. You control your character with the directional pad, jump to avoid attacks, and shoot your primary weapon.

Collect weapon power-ups like the Heavy Machine Gun or Rocket Launcher to increase your firepower. The game follows a mission-based structure where you must navigate environmental hazards and defeat a boss at the end of each stage.

A key strategy is to memorize enemy patterns and learn when to advance aggressively versus when to hang back and pick off foes from a distance. In the early parts of a run, focus on collecting power-ups and rescuing POWs to build your score and arsenal.

During tense moments, especially boss fights, prioritize dodging attacks over dealing damage, as survival is crucial. The challenge rhythm is fast-paced, with constant enemy assaults requiring quick reflexes and smart weapon management.