Nazca Retro Games Collection
3 total gamesNazca Corporation was a short-lived but legendary Japanese studio, formed by ex-Irem staff, that created the iconic and visually stunning Metal Slug and Neo Turf Masters for the Neo Geo before being absorbed by SNK.
About Nazca Corporation
Nazca Corporation was a Japanese video game developer with a brief but incredibly impactful history. The company was founded in 1994 by a group of talented staff who had recently departed from Irem, a developer famous for arcade hits like R-Type and In the Hunt. Bringing their immense experience and a distinctive, detail-oriented artistic vision with them, this small team set out to create games for SNK's powerful Neo Geo platform. Though they only existed as an independent entity for a couple of years, Nazca's creative output during this period resulted in two of the most beloved and visually impressive titles in the entire Neo Geo library.
The studio's most famous and celebrated creation is, without a doubt, the original Metal Slug. Released in 1996, this run-and-gun masterpiece set a new standard for the genre with its breathtaking, hand-drawn pixel art and incredibly fluid animation. The game's blend of intense, chaotic action with a quirky, humorous tone was a stroke of genius that captivated players worldwide. Every frame of animation, from the detailed backgrounds to the expressive character sprites, showcased the immense artistic talent that the Nazca team possessed, a quality honed during their time at Irem.
In addition to their work on Metal Slug, Nazca Corporation also developed and released another highly acclaimed title in 1996: Neo Turf Masters. This arcade golf game was praised for its accessible yet deep gameplay, vibrant graphics, and memorable character designs. It stood apart from other golf simulations of the time by focusing on fast-paced, enjoyable action rather than overly complex mechanics, making it a massive hit in arcades and on the Neo Geo home console. Together, Metal Slug and Neo Turf Masters demonstrated Nazca's incredible versatility and their mastery of the Neo Geo hardware.
Due to the immense success of their initial titles, Nazca Corporation was swiftly acquired by their publisher, SNK, in 1996, and the team was integrated into SNK's internal development studios. The Nazca staff would go on to develop several sequels to Metal Slug as part of SNK, continuing the series' legacy of excellence. Despite its short lifespan as an independent company, Nazca's legacy is monumental. They are remembered as a small team of master artisans who created two of the most timeless and artistically brilliant games of the 90s arcade scene, leaving an indelible mark on gaming history.
All Nazca Retro Games
3 games available
Metal Slug
Jump into the explosive, non-stop action of the original Metal Slug, a legendary arcade run-and-gun famous for its stunning, hand-drawn animation, chaotic co-op gameplay, and the iconic SV-001 tank.
Metal Slug 2
Metal Slug 2 amps up the classic run-and-gun chaos with new characters, bizarre transformations, more vehicles, and a surprising new alien threat that joins forces with the Rebel Army.
Metal Slug 3
Considered by many to be the pinnacle of the series, Metal Slug 3 enhances the classic run-and-gun formula by introducing branching paths, wildly imaginative new enemies, bizarre player transformations (like turning into a zombie), and new animal-based Slug vehicles.