Metal Slug 5 for the original Xbox is a 2D side-scrolling shooter where players control characters like Marco or Eri to battle the new Ptolemaic Army across five missions, using familiar vehicles alongside new additions like the Slug Gunner mecha. Key new mechanics include a slide-dash for evasion and dual-wielding weapons, contributing to a fast-paced experience with polished 2D graphics and a heavy rock soundtrack, though the series' typical humor and supernatural enemies are largely absent in favor of a more military-focused narrative.
