For many, these changes make the experience in Metal Slug XX far superior, making it difficult to go back to the original DS version.

The tactical specialists, starting with more ammunition and grenades.

Ultimately, the lasting legacy of this release is that Metal Slug XX remains alive. Whether on a dusty PSP, a modern gaming rig via Steam, or a cracked ISO shared on a forum, Marco, Tarma, and the rest of the Peregrine Falcon Squad continue to wage their endless war against General Morden—one pixel-perfect grenade toss at a time.

Metal Slug XX | Xbox 360 | Longplay | Walkthrough #23 [4Kp60] - YouTube. This content isn't available. YouTube·Longplay Universe

For players interested in playing the game today, there are two primary paths:

Recognizing the need to bring the game to mainline consoles and restore its multiplayer soul, SNK reworked and expanded the title. The result was Metal Slug XX (pronounced "Double X"), initially released for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) in 2009 and later on the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade.

Local two-player cooperative play was reinstated, restoring the chaotic camaraderie that defined the franchise.