Metal Gear Solid series

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 is going to have Metal Gear Solid and two of its numbered sequels, but that’s not all. Konami confirmed that the bundle will also include a few older Metal Gear games and even have a physical option.

The Metal Gear Solid Collection will include the MSX2 titles

According to the listing on the PlayStation Store, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 will include Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, which both originally came out on the MSX2 in 1987 and 1990, respectively. Metal Gear Solid’s VR Missions (known as Special Missions in PAL regions) will also be in the package, which was a collection of extra challenges that was released in 1999 on the original PlayStation.

The MSX2 titles were also in 2011’s Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. However, Metal Gear Solid was not in that HD compilation, so VR Missions was obviously not included. VR Missions was a downloadable title on the PS3 as a PS1 classic, but it is not often always bundled with Metal Gear Solid. For example, the PS2 bundle of the first three games called Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection that came out just before Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots didn’t have the expansion.

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 will also be available physically, which Konami confirmed after the fact. The Spanish Konami Twitter account responded to an inquiry about a disc, to which it simply said “yes.” Listings for the physical version have not gone live, though, and it hasn’t been confirmed if it will launch alongside the digital version or not. No prices have been announced for either version, but given how it is slated for the fall, details will likely come in the next couple months.

Hideo Kojima and Konami had a rather public breakup in 2015, leaving Metal Gear solely in the hands of Konami. This history meant that it was doubtful that he’d come back in any capacity to give his graces for the Metal Gear Solid 3 remake. And while omitting Kojima’s name from the announcement was a strong indication, Konami has confirmed that Kojima is not involved in any capacity.

A Konami spokesperson said this plainly in an interview with IGN. When asked if Kojima or longtime Metal Gear Solid art director Yoji Shinkawa would have a hand in the project in any way, the spokesperson spoke plainly.

“They are not involved,” said the spokesperson. “However, the development team will work hard to create this remake and also the ports so that they can be enjoyed on multiple platforms by even more players all around the world.”

Konami was very secretive on what teams were actually developing the remake; neither the trailer nor the press mention any studio, which is quite peculiar. Konami cleared that up shortly after the reveal and once again to IGN by saying that the “central role” will be carried out by Konami and developer Virtuos will help out.

Virtuos has worked on a number of titles in the past, mainly as a support or porting studio. The team has contributed to games like the PC port of Horizon Zero Dawn, the Nintendo Switch and current-gen versions of The Outer Worlds, and Batman: Return to Arkham, just to name a few. Virtuos was also previously rumored to be behind the remake as far back as October 2021.

Kojima has not referred to the Metal Gear Solid 3 remake or the collection since their official announcements during the PlayStation Showcase. Instead, he has stuck to retweeting Photo Mode pictures of Death Stranding, posting what he’s eating, or talking about what he’s listening to or watching, as per usual. He did, however, retweet someone praising the stylistic reveal trailer for the original Metal Gear Solid 3. This came on the same day as the announcement of the remake, a trailer that some criticized for being rather tame.

Want to see more classic Metal Gear Solid remakes on PS5? You'll need to communicate that wish to Konami in the language in which it's most fluent: that of dollar dollar bills, y'all.

Speaking to IGN, a Konami representative was careful not to mention any new games, but did say that "regarding remakes of previous games in the series other than Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, we will listen to player demand and consider accordingly," which almost sounds like a threat to us.

On the subject of why the studio is starting with Snake Eater, Konami said that "we chose Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater because it depicts the birth of BIG BOSS (Naked Snake), which is the starting point of the Metal Gear series." It was acknowledged that fans wanting it forever also played a part.

Are you on board for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater? Perhaps you'll pick up an extra copy to show Konami you'd be willing to pony up again somewhere down the line? Speak with your wallet in the comments section below.

[source ign.com]

Konami had only said that the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 was releasing in the fall. The publisher has now gotten more specific and revealed the exact release date for the repackaged collection, what it will cost, and the pre-order bonuses it will have.

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 is coming out on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC on October 24 for $59.99. Pre-orders are not live across all platforms, but the Nintendo eShop has the bundle at $59.99. The eShop also has the first three numbered games listed as separate titles, too, and they are $19.99 each.

And while it was already known that Metal Gear and Snake’s Revenge: Metal Gear 2 were included, the collection will also have Snake’s Revenge: Metal Gear 2 (the NES sequel Hideo Kojima wasn’t involved with), the NES version of Metal Gear, the Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 2 digital graphic novels, and a digital soundtrack with 20 tracks. These tracks are:

“Title”
“Theme of Solid Snake”
“First Introduction”
‘Introduction”
‘Discovery”
“Warhead Storage”
‘Enclosure”
“Metal Gear?”
“Memories of Hal”
“Twilight Sniping”
“Snake Eater ( Cynthia Harrell )”
“CQC”
“Operation Snake Eater”
“Eva’s Unveiling”
“Ocelot Youth ~ Confrontation”
“Battle In The Base”
“Sidecar – Escape From The Fortress -“
“Escape Through The Woods”
“Last Showdown”
“Snake vs Monkey”

The package even has a pre-order bonus. Those who pre-order will get digital tracks of “The Best Is Yet to Come,” “Can’t Say Goodbye to Yesterday,” and “Snake Eater,” all of which were arranged by an orchestra and “recorded specially for this bundle.” It’s unclear when pre-orders will go live on the non-Nintendo platforms or physical storefronts.

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 releases October 24 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 is scheduled to launch on October 24 for PS5, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC. If you're looking forward to the jam-packed compilation, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 physical edition preorders are live now. You'll get a bit of exclusive content for preordering early, too.

The Master Collection pulls together more than just a handful of iconic Metal Gear games. Along with the first three games in the Metal Gear Solid series and a few classic Metal Gear titles, the collection includes a variety of digital books and videos to give you a comprehensive look at this beloved franchise.

There’s also a brand-new lineup of Metal Gear merch at the Official Konami Shop, so check it out if you want to wear new threads as you relive some of the best stealth-action games in history.

Here’s a look at Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 preorders, along with all the bonus content that comes with it.

If you purchase Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, you’ll get a soundtrack that includes newly recorded, live orchestra renditions of Metal Gear themes, including Snake Eater. There aren't any retailer-exclusive bonuses, though that could change as more retailers begin taking preorders. Check back later for more details.

Master Collection physical edition preorders are available now for PS5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch. You can also preorder a digital copy of the collection on the Xbox Store, PlayStation Store, and Switch eShop.

There is only one version of the Master Collection--the standard edition. The compilation includes a ton of content that will appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Here’s a look at what’s included:

Title Lineup

Metal Gear
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (HD Collection version)
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (HD Collection version)
Metal Gear (NES/FC version)
Snake’s Revenge

Video

Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel
Metal Gear Solid 2: Digital Graphic Novel

Digital book

Metal Gear Solid: Screenplay Book
Metal Gear Solid: Master Book
Metal Gear Solid 2: Screenplay Book
Metal Gear Solid 2: Master Book
Metal Gear Solid 3: Screenplay Book
Metal Gear Solid 3: Master Book
Metal Gear & Metal Gear 2: Screenplay Book
Metal Gear & Metal Gear 2: Master Book

Soundtrack

Metal Gear Solid: Digital Soundtrack

Also, note that Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater will be available as standalone (digital) games for $20 each.

That hasn't stopped players from indulging in the series' stellar back catalog, however. As spotted by VGChartz, the last time Konami provided us with sales data, we were told the series – which launched back in 1987 – had collectively shifted 57.7m by the end of September 2021, and 59.3m copies by the close of November 2022.

According to a recent update to the publisher's corporate site, that figure sits at 60 million sales as of June 2023. That means Konami's tentpole franchise has sold around 700,000 units in just the last seven months... despite lying dormant for half a decade.

Will there ever be a Metal Gear Solid 6? Even though we've had no official word, it seems unlikely that Konami will abandon one of its most beloved – and profitable – properties. The upcoming Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake clearly shows that Konami isn't done with the ironic franchise, with or without Hideo Kojima.