In 1987, Konami’s Metal Gear, from the creative mind of Hideo Kojima, debuted on the MSX2 home computers, introducing the stealth genre in gaming, and changing the world of video games forever. It wasn’t until 1998 when ‘Metal Gear Solid’ snuck its way onto PlayStation, further innovating the stealth genre, while also feeling like an action movie with amazing storytelling through cutscenes and an incredibly talented voice cast.

Each game in the legendary series always seemed to find new and creative ways to define the stealth genre, whether hiding in a box, disposing of bodies, wearing camouflage and more. After Kojima’s departure in 2015, Konami just wasn’t the same, and they attempted their own Metal Gear title. It didn’t quite survive, and so they shifted their focus to mobile games and pachinko machines. Finally, in 2023, Konami brings back its classic Metal Gear games in Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, now available on PlayStation 4|5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

This compilation pack comes jam-packed with a total of eight games, which includes both the MSX2 and NES versions of the original Metal Gear from 1987, 1990’s Snake’s Revenge and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, 1998’s Metal Gear Solid, 1999’s Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions’ 2001’s Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and 2004’s Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.

The last two games mentioned are actually direct ports from their inclusion in the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, released in 2011, and both include almost all their added content from Substance and Subsistence respectively, but unfortunately, the Ape Escape minigame and online multiplayer are not included in this version of MGS3.

The general theme across all Metal Gear games is to infiltrate heavily guarded enemy bases without being discovered and locate a giant mech known as Metal Gear, which has had many unique variations over the decades. Things are never that simple, whether you’re playing as gaming icon Solid Snake, Big Boss, or Raiden, players will face many challenges and obstacles that become increasingly difficult, taking on various enemy soldiers, heavily armed bosses, and of course, Metal Gear itself.

Not only are so many games included, but there is also so much added content on top of that, and Metal Gear fans will find plenty to enjoy with everything included. Original covers for each game can be viewed front and back, which comes in real handy when looking for a certain CODEC frequency, Screenplay Books to read all the dialogue, Master Books that give a real in-depth look into the Metal Gear lore, plus graphic novels and digital soundtracks. Diehard Metal Gear fans will be spoiled for choice, and may even finally find the answers to questions they’ve had for the longest time.

The graphics of the 3D games may look outdated by today’s standards, but back in the day, they were ahead of their time and really pushed the limits of the consoles they were featured on. Every game looks, plays, and sounds just as good as they did in the past, and even more so with MGS2 and MGS3 thanks to their HD upgrades and widescreen support.

The other games stick to their original 4:3 formats which is easily forgivable and adds to the nostalgia, but if you’re not a fan, the blank spaces can also be filled with a selection of backgrounds representing each game.

The Metal Gear games were more than just fun games to play. The stories for each game by Hideo Kojima, with the exception of Snake’s Revenge, which he was not involved with, are some of the most intriguing and incredibly well-written stories in gaming history. Kojima just has a way of drawing the audience in, and even if certain things leave more questions than answers, Metal Gear fans just keep coming back for more.

1998’s Metal Gear Solid was the first game in the series to introduce fully voiced cutscenes which also carried over into the CODEC conversations. All the dialogue scenes can be pretty lengthy, but the amazingly talented voice cast is what keeps them entertaining. Even though the games use all the original voice recordings, hearing the likes of Paul Eiding, Jennifer Hale, Phil LaMarr, and Lori Alan brings back so many good memories.

Of course, we cannot forget the legendary David Hayter as Solid Snake and Big Boss, who was unceremoniously replaced in Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain. Simply nothing can compare to Hayter’s voice work as Snake, who is a huge part of the character’s legacy and the game’s success. It’s unknown what the future holds for him, especially with the upcoming planned remakes of the Metal Gear games, but fans will be crossing their fingers in hopes that David Hayter will voice Solid Snake once again.

After the success of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Cowabunga Collection in 2022, Konami seems to be going back to their roots and bringing its classics to the modern day. Konami has a big library of iconic games, and Metal Gear Solid is the perfect franchise to pack in a compilation game and bring it to modern consoles. As the title suggests, this is just volume 1, so there’s bound to be a volume 2, and Metal Gear diehards will be eager to see what games are included and get their hands on them. Perhaps this will encourage them to do the same with Silent Hill, Castlevania, and Contra? Only time will tell.

A full remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, known as Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, is also in the works, and the only teaser footage shown so far looks really promising. Until then, Metal Gear fans will have plenty to hold them over in this solid compilation. Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 has decades’ worth of nostalgic Metal Gear content for fans new and old to sneak into their leisure time. It feels great to be a Metal Gear fan, and Volume 2 cannot come soon enough.

Written by: Sammy Hanson