What is the best game similar to Metal Slug 5?

The closest game to Metal Slug 5 is Gunstar Heroes, scoring 92/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 gameplay attributes, including precision platforming, shooter and co op. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Metal Slug 5?

The three closest games to Metal Slug 5 are: 1. Gunstar Heroes (92/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. Yoshi's Crafted World (92/100, 4 shared attributes) 3. LittleBigPlanet (88/100, 4 shared attributes). All share Metal Slug 5's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 46 candidates across 8 dimensions.

Is Yoshi's Crafted World similar to Metal Slug 5?

Yes, very much so — Yoshi's Crafted World scores 92/100 similarity to Metal Slug 5. They share 4 attributes, including precision platforming and single-player focus. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What Platformer games are similar to Metal Slug 5?

The best Platformer games similar to Metal Slug 5 are Gunstar Heroes, Yoshi's Crafted World, LittleBigPlanet and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. All share the Platformer genre alongside other key Metal Slug 5 attributes like precision platforming, shooter and co op.

How is similarity to Metal Slug 5 calculated?

We compare Metal Slug 5 against every game in our catalog using 8 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Metal Slug 5 experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

46 Games like Metal Slug 5 that you should try

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If Metal Slug 5 left you wanting more, this list of 46 similar games is for you. Each one shares part of its essence — precision platforming, combat tactical and single-player focus — and is ranked by a similarity score computed across 8 attributes. Gunstar Heroes comes closest (92/100).

iRank65/ 100

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GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Top games similar to Metal Slug 5

46 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Metal Slug 5. Each one has been evaluated across 8 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Gunstar Heroes

iRank83

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Co-opSoloMeleeTactical2D

Steam👍 94%· 16IGDB60· 1

Year 1993Dev Treasure · Tec ToyOn PlayStation 3 · Linux · Android

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, shooter and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings setting scifi, multiplayer gameplay and offline, while skipping adventure storytelling

Details →

Steam

#2Yoshi's Crafted World

iRank80

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloCo-op2D

IGDB79· 12OC80· 111

Year 2019Dev Good-Feel · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, single-player focus and co op.

≠ Missing: shooter.

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloCo-op2DMultiplayerSandbox World

IGDB96· 9

Year 2008Dev Media Molecule · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, single-player focus and co op

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, sandbox world and fantasy world, while skipping shooter

Details →

#4Super Mario Bros. Wonder

iRank93

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloCo-op2DMultiplayerCasual

IGDB95· 7OC91· 150

Year 2023Dev Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 10 · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and co op

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual, fantasy world and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping shooter

Details →

Nintendo

#5New Super Mario Bros.

iRank95

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloCo-opMelee2DMultiplayer

IGDB95· 2

Year 2006Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping shooter

Details →

Nintendo

#6Donkey Kong Country Returns

iRank86

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloCo-op2DMultiplayer

IGDB86· 7

Year 2010Dev Retro Studios · Nintendo

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, single-player focus and co op

≠ Stands apart with multiplayer gameplay, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

Co-opSoloMelee2DMultiplayer

Steam👍 89%· 1.4K

Year 1998Dev DotEmu · SNK PlaymoreOn PlayStation 3 · Android · PC

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, shooter and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: first-person shooting, fantasy world and historical setting, while skipping combat tactical

Details →

Steam GOG

#8Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

iRank85

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloCo-op2DMultiplayer

IGDB86· 12OC84· 138

Year 2014Dev Retro Studios · Nintendo

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, single-player focus and co op

≠ Where it differs: brings multiplayer gameplay, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloCo-op2DMultiplayer

IGDB85· 4

Year 2010Dev Good-Feel · Nintendo

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings multiplayer gameplay, while skipping shooter

Details →

Nintendo

#10King Arthur's Gold

iRank70

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloCo-opTacticalMelee2D

Steam👍 84%· 5.2KRAWG👍 39%· 78MC81

Year 2013Dev Transhuman DesignPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, combat tactical and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: sandbox freedom, competitive edge and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping shooter

Details →

Steam GOG

#11New Super Mario Bros. Wii

iRank81

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloCo-op2DMultiplayer

IGDB81· 4

Year 2009Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with multiplayer gameplay, while skipping shooter

Details →

#12New Super Mario Bros. U

iRank80

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloCo-op2DMultiplayer

IGDB80· 9

Year 2012Dev Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development · Nintendo

✓ Fits the 2D platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: multiplayer gameplay, while skipping shooter

Details →

Nintendo

#13Donkey Kong Country

iRank80

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloCo-op2DMultiplayer

IGDB80· 1

Year 1994Dev Rare · Nintendo

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, single-player focus and co op

≠ Where it differs: brings multiplayer gameplay, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloCo-opMeleeTactical2D

Steam👍 59%· 8.5KIGDB57· 11OC56· 95

Year 2017Dev Sonic Team · Sega GamesOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of 2D platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, strong narrative focus and fantasy world, while skipping shooter

GenrePlatformerSubgenre2D Platformer

SoloCo-op2DMultiplayerSandbox World

IGDB78· 10OC79· 57

Year 2014Dev Sumo Digital · Sony Computer EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PS4

✓ Both are 2D platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with sandbox freedom, sandbox world and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping shooter

Details →

Complete list of Metal Slug 5 alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Metal Slug 5, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Yoshi's Woolly World

Platformer

Spiritfarer

Platformer · Adventure

Sonic Mania

Platformer · Adventure

Pinkman

Platformer · Adventure

New Super Mario Bros. 2

Platformer · Adventure

Metal Slug 3

Platformer · Shooter

Rayman Origins

Platformer · Adventure

Sonic Rush

Platformer

Spelunky 2

Platformer · Adventure

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Platformer · Adventure

Kirby's Return to Dream Land

Platformer · Adventure

Gravity Circuit

Platformer · Fighting

Shovel Knight: Specter of Torment

Platformer · Adventure

Duke Nukem

Platformer · Shooter

Wannabe Galgame God!!!

Platformer · Adventure

Sonic Generations

Platformer · Adventure

DuckTales: Remastered

Platformer · Adventure

Disney's The Jungle Book

Platformer · Adventure

Trials Rising

Platformer · Racing

Disney's Hercules Action Game

Platformer · Adventure

Super Contra

Platformer · Shooter

Sonic & Knuckles

Platformer

Jazz Jackrabbit 2

Platformer · Shooter

Contra: Hard Corps

Platformer · Shooter

Disney's Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers

Platformer · Adventure

Disney's Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers 2

Platformer · Adventure

Mario Bros.

Platformer

Blade Kitten

Platformer · Adventure

Ice Climber

Platformer

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Platformer · Adventure

Kirby's Dream Land 3

Platformer · Adventure

Explore games similar to Metal Slug 5 by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best 2D Platformer Games Best Platformer Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Metal Slug 5?: The closest game to Metal Slug 5 is Gunstar Heroes, scoring 92/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 gameplay attributes, including precision platforming, shooter and co op. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Metal Slug 5?: The three closest games to Metal Slug 5 are: 1. Gunstar Heroes (92/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. Yoshi's Crafted World (92/100, 4 shared attributes) 3. LittleBigPlanet (88/100, 4 shared attributes). All share Metal Slug 5's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 46 candidates across 8 dimensions.
Is Yoshi's Crafted World similar to Metal Slug 5?: Yes, very much so — Yoshi's Crafted World scores 92/100 similarity to Metal Slug 5. They share 4 attributes, including precision platforming and single-player focus. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Platformer games are similar to Metal Slug 5?: The best Platformer games similar to Metal Slug 5 are Gunstar Heroes, Yoshi's Crafted World, LittleBigPlanet and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. All share the Platformer genre alongside other key Metal Slug 5 attributes like precision platforming, shooter and co op.
How is similarity to Metal Slug 5 calculated?: We compare Metal Slug 5 against every game in our catalog using 8 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Metal Slug 5 experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.