ɡˈeɪmpleɪ ɪz sˈɪmɪlɚ tə ðə ɹˈɛst ʌvðə mˈɛɾəl slˈʌɡ sˈɪɹiz ɪn ɡˈeɪmpleɪ, bˌʌt wɪð nˈoʊɾᵻd ɪmpɹˈuːvmənts ɪn ɡɹˈæfɪks ænd kəntɹˈoʊlz fɹʌmðɪ ɚɹˈɪdʒɪnəl nˈiːoʊ dʒˈiːoʊ pˈɑːkɪt kˈʌlɚ ɡˈeɪm, mˈɛɾəl slˈʌɡ fˈɜːst mˈɪʃən.
Gameplay is similar to the rest of the Metal Slug series in gameplay, but with noted improvements in graphics and controls from the original Neo Geo Pocket Color game, Metal Slug 1st Mission.