Metal Slug might be the most definitive run and gun game since Contra, and one of the longest lasting series in its genre.
But after almost 23 years, even the most iconic games get a little old. Luckily, there are plenty of new, innovative games like Metal Slug out there for you to try out.
13. Guns, Gore, and Cannoli 2
Guns, Gore, and Cannoli 2 Gameplay
Guns, Gore, and Cannoli 2 tells the story of Vinnie Cannoli, a hardened mobster straight from a thousand Mafia parody movies, as he runs through 1944 Europe, killing both mobsters and Nazis alike. Whether bashing in brains with a baseball bat or unloading a Tommy Gun into your foes, you can cut a bloody path through the second world war.
The game supplies plenty of guns and gore, but there’s no shortage of humor either. Vinnie cracks one-liners like there’s no tomorrow, and for the enemies that stand in your way, there might not be.
Move over Wolfenstein: Guns, Gore, and Cannoli lets you shoot Nazis to your heart’s delight.
Two guns are better than one: The multiplayer mode lets you double your gore.
12. Shoot Many Robots
Shoot Many Robots Gameplay
The goal of Shoot Many Robots is simple: shoot many robots. Sometimes, just to mix things up, you can shoot one big robot many times. It’s a simple game, but sometimes you don’t need a complex storyline. Sometimes you just want to shoot some robots to banjo music. So grab your friends, your guns, and your gear, and raise hillbilly hell against robot invaders.
Wear many hats: Customizable outfits with different gear truly make Shoot Many Robots the Team Fortress 2 of gaming.
Shoot one robot: Boss battles provide a welcome break in the pace of the run and gun gameplay.
11. RIVE: Wreck, Hack, Die, Retry
RIVE: Wreck, Hack, Die, Retry gameplay
RIVE: Wreck, Hack, Die, Retry is an update to the classic shooter for the 21st Century. Gone are the days of running and gunning, now you can swim, fly, float, and gun. If you get tired of shooting robots (or you just want to shoot them even more), you can hack them and turn them to your side. There’s a fully developed story mode, but for players who just don’t care and want to get straight to the action, you can literally shoot the messenger and continue without it.
Hacks required: Hack enemy robots to fight for you.
The Final Frontier: This game offers a wide variety of obstacles in space.
10. Fury Unleashed
Fury Unleashed gameplay
If you’re someone who is just too good at video games to be entertained by your average shooter, Fury Unleashed might be for you. Rather than having to replay the same game over and over again, Fury Unleashed offers procedurally generated levels and random items, ensuring no two playthroughs are alike. With its tight controls and unforgiving gameplay, the game offers a challenge for those who have mastered platformers and roguelikes before. Also, the comic-book style provides a break from the monotony of shooting generic enemies with actual art design.
A new foe: Unique enemies with special powers provide a different experience from most shooters.
Level Up: A unique skill system offers many ways to play.
9. Broforce
Broforce gameplay
In Broforce, you play as an elite squad of heroes, each one just different enough from your favorite action heroes of the ‘80s to avoid copyright infringement. Each bro has a different special power based on their corresponding movie, which offers a wide variety of gameplay. You shoot, burn, and whip your way through an over-the-top combination of the best nostalgia the ‘80s has to offer. There’s not much more to it, just log in and bro out.
Game over, man: Broforce lets you fight enemies that seem awfully familiar.
Indiana Brones: You can play from a wide variety of heroes lovingly ripped off of your favorite action movies.
8. GIGANTIC ARMY
GIGANTIC ARMY gameplay
As far as run and guns go, this one certainly serves up the nostalgia. This game is an homage to the classic 16-bit era of arcade run and gun games. Sure, it’s simple, and has no story other than the block of text that appears before each level, but if you wanted a complex story you should probably be playing… not a run and gun game. Overall, it does a few things and does them well. The weapons are interesting, the controls are tight, and the aesthetics harken back to the arcade games that inspired it.
Back to Basics: GIGANTIC ARMY’s 16-bit graphics certainly serve up the nostalgia.
The Big Boss: The game brings back the gigantic old-school boss battles of the arcade shooter era.
7. Luckslinger
Luckslinger gameplay
Luckslinger has the graphics of an Atari 2600, the aesthetics of a Spaghetti Western, and the soundtrack of a hip-hop studio. Even better, it makes it work. Venture out with your trusty partner Duckbridge (an actual duck) and shoot your way through the Old West. Use luck, a collectible resource, to increase your odds of survival, and bring back the stolen lucky charms of the town of Clovercreek.
Wild Wild West: Luckslinger brings a Spaghetti Western to life with just a few pixels.
Lucky duck: With enough luck, your good fortune can even bend bullets away from you.
6. Intrusion 2
Intrusion 2 gameplay
Imagine everything you thought was cool as a six-year-old. Now put all those things in a game and remember that six-year-old you was absolutely right. Shoot lasers at robo-snakes. Fight a helicopter with power fists. Ride a wolf and fight another guy riding another wolf.
Mounted combat: It cannot be overemphasized that this game lets you fire a laser from the back of a wolf.
Innovative battles: Fight your way through a wide variety of different enemies.
5. The Expendabros
The Expendabros gameplay
If your main problem with run and guns is that they just don’t have enough testosterone for you, The Expendabros will not disappoint. This official crossover between the shooter Broforce and the action star old folks home The Expendables 3 pumps Sylvester Stallone and friends with even more muscles and shouting. Play one of seven bros, each with unique abilities, weapons, and resemblance to an action movie counterpart. Your own bros can even join you, since the game supports 4-player co-op.
Sylvester Stabrone: The Expendabros lets you join the bro-ified cast of The Expendables 3 on a action packed adventure.
Lights, Camera, Action: Fight through action movie scenes inspired by The Expendables 3.
4. Weird Hero
Weird Hero gameplay
Weird Hero is… well it certainly live up to its name. It embraces the weirdness, encourages it. Master weird weapons like the Flickinator and the Atomic Toaster. Fight weird enemies like giant anime heads and Australians. And do it all to an upbeat psychobilly soundtrack.
Weird enemies: Weird Hero has you fight a variety of foes, from the mostly normal to the bizarre.
Weird weapons: Unlike most shoot-em-ups, Weird Hero gives you more than just guns.
3. Mercenary Kings
Mercenary Kings gameplay
Mercenary Kings combines the classic Metal Slug style gameplay with an RPG style grind and upgrade system. You control a ragtag group of heroes through retro military-style run and gun levels, making better weapons as you go. Although the grind is not for everyone, the upgraded weapons are a reward for the most dedicated players. For the rest, the games cartoony art style should win them over.
Toon-em-up: Mercenary Kings captures the feeling of Contra but with colorful cartoon art.
Classic and modern: Mercenary Kings combines new and old elements to create a unique experience.
2. BRAIN/OUT
BRAIN/OUT gameplay
BRAIN/OUT might be a 2D shooter, but it feels uncharitable to call it a run and gun. Sure, you both run and gun, but it plays more like CS:GO than any other games on this list. You have to use strategy, smarts, and most importantly, an arsenal of weapons to kill other players. You fight for money in a lawless post-Soviet world and use it for the only thing that matters: more guns.
Man vs. man: Battle other players online in this strategic shooter.
Custom job: Upgrade and customize your guns to play better in matches.
1. Mega Man 11
Mega Man 11 gameplay
Mega Man 11 comes from a long line of games, and it has a lot to live up to. The latest game in the Mega Man franchise stays close to its roots with a robotic 2.5D shooter to stop the nefarious Dr. Wily. There are new powers and great robot fights, but it’s still a classic Mega Man game. Hey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Bigger bosses: This Mega Man game features new boss battles with new mechanics.
Streamlined: Mega Man 11 features smoother controls that are more accessible to new players.
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