After a long hiatus of eight years, Konami is bringing back its Metal Gear Solid series in the form of the Master Collection that brings together the first three installments of the main line along with many additional features. This marks the first time these games will be natively playable on PS5, with previous iterations only available via streaming or on retro consoles. As such, this might be your first time playing and experiencing the stealth series.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 for PS5 on October 24, 2023, and this guide serves to cover all games included as well as what to play first. We’ll provide an overview of each game and which version you’ll be playing and then suggest a recommended play order. We will also discuss the possibility of a vol. 2.
We’ll start off this guide by providing a quick overview of each game included in the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1sharing what to expect from them, which version is provided, and any other key details.
solid metal gear
| included version | original release date | playable character | bonuses included |
|---|---|---|---|
| ps1 version | September 3, 1998 |
solid snake |
VR Missions, Special Missions, Digital Graphic Novel, Script Book, Master Book, Digital Soundtrack |
The first solid metal gear is where many fans’ love for the Konami series began, first released on PS1 in September 1998. This is the version featured in the Master Collection Vol. 1; It is not a remaster of any kind. With PS1 audio, visuals, and game design, you’ll experience the story of Shadow Moses as it was originally conceived. However, for the first time in history, solid metal gear will have trophies including.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Children of Liberty
| included version | original release date | playable characters | bonuses included |
|---|---|---|---|
| ps3 remaster |
|
Solid snake, Raiden | Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance Additions, Digital Graphic Novel, Script Book, Master Book |
He Metal Gear Solid 2: Children of Liberty included in the PS5 master collection is based on the version included in the PS3 HD Collectionwho remastered Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance. As a result, you’ll have to deal with PS3-era graphics as much solid snake and raiden star in the monitoring of solid metal gear. Divide across Oil and Plant chapters, the game features one of the biggest character changes of the time. It’s common knowledge at this point, but Metal Gear Solid 2: Children of Liberty It remains one of the best installments in the series.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
| included version | original release date | playable character | bonuses included |
|---|---|---|---|
| ps3 remaster |
|
Big Boss / Naked Snake | Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence Additions, Script Book, Master Book |
much like Metal Gear Solid 2: Children of Libertyits sequel is also based on the PS3 remaster found in the HD Collection. This features all the additional content from Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistenceand acts as the origin of the entire series, going back to the 1960s to play as big boss. Many fans argue that this is the best of the bunch, making it an exciting prospect right at the end of a series within the confines of the master collection.
metal gear
| included version | original release date | playable character | bonuses included |
|---|---|---|---|
| NES/Famicom | July 13, 1987 | solid snake | Script Book, Master Book |
before there were solid metal gearthere was metal gear. First published on the MSX, the master collection respects its roots by allowing you to experience the origins of the series. Played from a top-down perspective, these games are quite different from solid metal gear entrances, but they are important to continue the story from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. However, this is not an essential game.
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
| included version | original release date | playable character | bonuses included |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSX2 | July 20, 1990 | solid snake | Script Book, Master Book |
metal gear received an immediate sequel in the form of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake three years later on the MSX2. solid snake once again presents a top-down experience that you don’t really need to play. If you’re curious, it’s great. master collection includes these classic titles, but it’s easier to just catch up on YouTube. Still, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake lays the groundwork for future installments such as solid metal gear.
Metal Gear: Revenge of the Serpent
| included version | original release date | playable character | bonuses included |
|---|---|---|---|
| NES | April 1990 | solid snake | None |
Metal Gear: Revenge of the Serpent It was not worked by the creator of the series Hideo Kojima, so it is not considered canon. This is simply a clear inclusion of the master collection; the actual sequel to metal gear is Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, no this. Play around if you want, but you’re not missing out on much.
There are two ways you could approach the games included in the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection: in it release order or in chronological order. For the best and most cohesive experience, we recommend playing the franchise on release order. As such, this is the route through the series we suggest taking:
- solid metal gear
- Metal Gear Solid 2: Children of Liberty
- Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
While metal gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snakeand Metal Gear: Revenge of the Serpent released first, some of them are no longer considered canon, while others are incredibly dated. Consider playing them after you have understood the plot of the first three games.
Chronological order it’s better once you’re already familiar with the story. If you want to play the games in chronological order — in other words, in the order of the year they take place — then this is the order you need:
- Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (1964)
- metal gear (nineteen ninety five)
- Metal Gear: Revenge of the Serpent (1998 — non-canon)
- Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1999)
- solid metal gear (2005)
- Metal Gear Solid 2: Children of Liberty (2007 – 2009)
Given the fact that Konami has put vol. 1 at the end of his Metal Gear Solid: Master CollectionIt seems incredibly likely that there is a vol. 2 in the future. However, no official confirmation has been shared at the time of writing. However, there are rumors that point to a second set containing Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (presumably including Ground Zeroes) and Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker.
Generally speaking, some of the possibilities of vol. 2 are:
will you be playing the solid metal gear series for the first time with master collection, or are you looking to start another game in the classic franchise? Share your plans in the comments below.