The The King of Fighters AFK Metal Slug 3 collaboration has officially launched, delivering explosive new content inspired by SNK’s legendary run-and-gun classic. As of February 14, 2026, Netmarble’s AFK RPG is welcoming iconic Metal Slug 3 characters, limited-time event dungeons, exclusive Legendary pets, and major rewards for both active and returning players.
For fans of retro arcade action and team-based strategy RPG combat, this crossover is packed with nostalgia and high-value rewards.
Metal Slug 3 Characters Join The King of Fighters AFK as Legendary Fighters
The headline feature of the The King of Fighters AFK Metal Slug 3 collaboration is the arrival of three iconic heroes from Metal Slug 3:
- Eri Kasamoto
- Marco Rossi
- Fio Germi
Eri Kasamoto and Marco Rossi are available through special Pick-Up Events running until March 10, 2026, while Fio Germi officially joins the roster starting February 15.
These crossover characters enter the game as Legendary fighters, expanding team-building possibilities for players looking to optimize their 5v5 lineups and deck compositions.
Collab Check-In Rewards: Free Legendary Fighter and Pet
One of the biggest highlights of the collaboration is the limited-time check-in event.
Running through March 10, 2026, players who log in during the event period can earn:
- Day 1: Legendary fighter Marco Rossi
- Day 7: Legendary pet Pocket SV-001, inspired by the iconic Metal Slug tank
This makes the The King of Fighters AFK Metal Slug 3 collaboration especially accessible, even for casual players who simply log in daily.
Event Dungeon: Final Mission & Air Defense
The collaboration introduces a special score-based dungeon titled Final Mission & Air Defense.
In this event, players team up with familiar bosses from The King of Fighters AFK to take down Roots Mars of Disaster, a KOF-style reinterpretation of Metal Slug 3’s final boss, Roots Mars.
Key features include:
- Ranking rewards based on performance
- Daily play rewards that grant event currency
- Air Defense draw system
The Air Defense event allows players to use earned currency to access a special draw featuring:
- Tarma Roving (Legendary supporter)
- Donald Morden (Legendary supporter)
- Aikawa Madoka (Legendary supporter)
- Ichimonji Hyakutaro (Unique supporter)
For competitive players chasing leaderboard placements, this dungeon adds both challenge and replayability.
Assault Mission: Limited-Time Tower Mode
The Assault Mission dungeon introduces a tower-mode format where players clear stages to earn Fighter Tokens. These tokens can be used to summon collaboration fighters, making it another key avenue for unlocking crossover content before March 10.
The layered event structure ensures that the The King of Fighters AFK Metal Slug 3 collaboration offers multiple progression paths rather than relying on a single event mode.
Legendary Pets and Hidden Rewards
From February 17 to March 10, an additional collaboration event provides opportunities to obtain:
- Legendary pet Pocket Mars People
- Legendary pet Pocket SV-001
Players can also unlock bonus rewards by discovering hidden Ichimonji Hyakutaro scattered throughout the game.
This extra layer of exploration gives collectors and completionists even more incentive to participate.
New Challenge Dungeon: Count Down Operation
Beyond the crossover, The King of Fighters AFK is expanding its core gameplay with the new Challenge Dungeon: Count Down Operation.
This tactical mode allows players to:
- Build up to five decks
- Use a total roster of up to 25 fighters
- Strategically rotate formations to defeat powerful bosses
The new dungeon deepens strategic planning and showcases the game’s deck-building flexibility.
Returning Player Event with Orochi Rewards
Netmarble is also launching a dedicated returning player event alongside the collaboration.
Players who return to their original server receive:
- 14 days of returning benefits
- Access to a Return Celebration Pass
The pass offers opportunities to obtain:
- Orochi
- Orochi Iori
- Orochi Leona
Players who transfer to a different server will also receive special benefits, making now an ideal time for former players to jump back in.
Why This Collaboration Matters
The The King of Fighters AFK Metal Slug 3 collaboration unites two iconic SNK franchises that defined arcade gaming in the 1990s.
The King of Fighters AFK reimagines classic fighters in nostalgic pixel art reminiscent of The King of Fighters R-2 on NEOGEO POCKET COLOR, while preserving dynamic 5v5 combat and strategic deck-building. With over 15 titles in the main KOF series and decades of fan support, the franchise continues to evolve through crossovers like this.
By bringing Metal Slug 3’s characters, vehicles, and bosses into the AFK RPG format, Netmarble delivers both fan service and meaningful gameplay additions.
As of February 14, 2026, the The King of Fighters AFK Metal Slug 3 collaboration stands out as one of the most content-rich updates for the game to date.
With free Legendary rewards, multiple event dungeons, strategic challenge modes, and returning player incentives, the crossover is more than a cosmetic tie-in—it’s a full-scale seasonal expansion.
Fans of SNK’s legacy franchises should not miss this limited-time event before it concludes on March 10, 2026.
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