Metal Slug began as an SNK run and gun arcade series in 1996, known for detailed pixel art and fast co-operative action. Fio Germi joined as a playable character in Metal Slug 2 in 1998, an Italian soldier with glasses and a distinctive cheerful voice, and she returned in many sequels and spin-offs. Short voice samples from the games circulated through emulators, compilations and fan communities as the series stayed popular on new platforms. Her lines remain widely shared because they are instantly recognisable to retro gaming fans.