2D Graphics

30 years on, Metal Slug's arcade action and stylish visuals owe Studio Ghibli a debt: "We were very much inspired by Hayao Miyazaki's book, Daydream Note"

This article delves into the development and inspirations behind the classic arcade game Metal Slug, originally created by Nazca Corporation for SNK's Neo Geo. Kazuma Kujo, a key figure from Irem who helped form Nazca, reveals that the game's design was influenced by Hayao Miyazaki's book 'Daydream Note' and evolved from earlier Irem titles like 'In The Hunt'. Despite being developed during the rise of 3D gaming, Metal Slug's distinctive 2D visuals and gameplay mechanics were a result of the Neo Geo hardware and specific design choices, not necessarily an artistic preference for 2D.