Jump to content

Metal Gear

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Metal Gear series)

Metal Gear
Logo of the Metal Gear franchise
Genre(s)
Developer(s)Konami (1987–2005)
Kojima Productions (2005–2015)[a]
Digital Dialect (2000)
Silicon Knights (2004)
Ideaworks Game Studio (2008)
Genki (2010)
Bluepoint Games (2011)
GREE (2012)
PlatinumGames (2013)
Nvidia Lightspeed Studios (2016)
Konami Digital Entertainment (2018–present)
Rocket Studio (2023)
M2 (2023)
Virtuos
Publisher(s)
Creator(s)Hideo Kojima
Platform(s)
First releaseMetal Gear
July 13, 1987
Latest releaseMetal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1
October 24, 2023

Metal Gear (Japanese: メタルギア, Hepburn: Metaru Gia) is a franchise of stealth games created by Hideo Kojima. Developed and published by Konami, the first game, Metal Gear, was released in 1987 for MSX home computers. The player often takes control of a special forces operative (usually Solid Snake or Big Boss), who is assigned the task of finding the titular superweapon, "Metal Gear", a bipedal walking tank with the ability to launch nuclear weapons.

Several sequels have been released for multiple consoles, which have expanded the original game's plot, adding characters opposing and supporting Snake, while several prequels have explored the origins of Metal Gear and recurring characters. The third game in the series, Metal Gear Solid for the PlayStation, marked a transition to 3D graphics and gained the series international fame.

The series is credited for pioneering and popularizing stealth video games[1][2][3][4] and "cinematic video games".[3][5] Notable traits of the series include cinematic cutscenes, intricate storylines, offbeat and fourth-wall humor, and exploration of cyberpunk, dystopian, political and philosophical themes,[6][7] as well as references to Hollywood films. Individual installments have been critically acclaimed, as well as receiving several awards. The series has sold 61 million units as of December 2023.[8] The franchise has also been adapted into other media, such as comics, novels, and drama CDs. Solid Snake has also gone on to appear in other games, such as the Super Smash Bros. series, Ape Escape 3, LittleBigPlanet, and Fortnite.

Games

[edit]
Release timeline
1987Metal Gear
1988–1989
1990Snake's Revenge
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
1991–1997
1998Metal Gear Solid
1999MGS: VR Missions
2000MG: Ghost Babel
2001MGS 2: Sons of Liberty
2002–2003
2004MGS: The Twin Snakes
MGS 3: Snake Eater
MG Acid
2005MG Acid 2
2006MGS: Portable Ops
2007MGS: Portable Ops Plus
2008MGS Mobile
MGS 4: Guns of the Patriots
MG Online
2009MGS Touch
2010MGS: Peace Walker
2011MGS: HD Collection
2012MGS: Snake Eater 3D
MGS: Social Ops
2013MG Rising: Revengeance
2014MGS V: Ground Zeroes
2015MGS V: The Phantom Pain
2016–2017
2018MG Survive
2019–2022
2023MGS: Master Collection Vol. 1
2024
2025MGS Δ: Snake Eater

Hideo Kojima designed the original Metal Gear, which debuted in Japan and Europe in 1987 for the MSX2 computer platform.[9] A separate team created a heavily modified Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) port of the game that was released in Japan on December 22, 1987, North America in June 1988, and Europe and Australia sometime in 1989.[10] Konami produced an NES sequel, Snake's Revenge, again without Kojima, released in North America and Europe in 1990. One of that game's designers became acquainted with Kojima and asked him to create a "real Metal Gear sequel". In reaction, Kojima began development of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, which was released in Japan in 1990 for the MSX2.[11][12]

Following Metal Gear 2's completion, Kojima worked on other projects before directing his third Metal Gear game, Metal Gear Solid, for the PlayStation. It began development in 1994 and debuted at the 1996 Tokyo Game Show,[13] before being released in 1998.[14][15] The success of Metal Gear Solid resulted in a series of sequels, prequels, spin-offs, ports, and remakes for Microsoft Windows, the Game Boy Color, PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Metal Gear Solid was followed up by the sequel Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty released in November 2001 for the PlayStation 2. A remake of the original Metal Gear Solid called Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes was released for the Nintendo GameCube in early 2004.[16] Later that year, the third numbered entry, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, was released on the PlayStation 2. This is the first prequel which was set prior to all the previously released Metal Gear games and which acted as an origin to the franchise.[17][18] These games were followed by a sequel to Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, which was released on the PlayStation Portable in 2006.[19][20] The series' main storyline was concluded in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots for the PlayStation 3 in 2008.[21][22] The game featured a multiplayer spin-off called Metal Gear Online.[23]

In April 2010, another sequel to Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, was released for the PlayStation Portable and was set shortly after the events of Portable Ops.[24][25] The spin-off game, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, was released in 2013 on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and in Jan 2014 on Steam (PC). The game is set after Guns of the Patriots and stars Raiden, the protagonist of Sons of Liberty who turned into a cyborg ninja.[26]

Expanded re-releases of games in the series were produced as well, such as Integral (Metal Gear Solid), Substance (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty), and Subsistence (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater).[27][28][29][30] The series' portable installments are usually set outside the main storyline. Metal Gear: Ghost Babel was released for the Game Boy Color, and several games were released for Sony's PlayStation Portable. In a departure from the series' style, Metal Gear Acid and its sequel used turn-based strategy mechanics based on collectible cards.[31][32]

On May 18, 2009, a teaser site for the following installment in the Metal Gear series was uploaded by Kojima Production.[33] The site initially consisted of a series of countdowns leading to several flashing letters and the images of two characters looking like a middle-aged Big Boss and a cyborg Raiden. An article published in the July 2009 issue of Famitsu PSP + PS3 covers the content of the site and features an interview with Hideo Kojima.[34][35] The interview, revealing many details, is heavily censored and was published that way as a request by Kojima, who was directing and designing the new game. Famitsu was to publish the full interview in its following issue.[36][37] The new game was eventually revealed to be Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, which was announced on June 1, 2009, at E3, during the Microsoft Press Conference.[38]

At E3 2010, a demo, "Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater – The Naked Sample", was shown on the Nintendo 3DS. The official E3 Kojima site later released screenshots and official art for the demo.[39] Kojima did state, however, that this was not a preview for a full game but just a sample of what could be done on the 3DS hardware.[40] Another mobile port of a previously released game was shown at Sony's PlayStation Meeting on January 27, 2011, where Hideo Kojima demonstrated a possible portable version of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots for the upcoming PlayStation Vita.[41]

On June 2, 2011, Konami announced the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection which was released in November 2011 for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The collection features remastered versions of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, rendered in 720p and running at 60fps, including Trophies/Achievements, and remastered audio.[42][43] On August 15, 2011, UK retailer Zavvi secured the exclusive right to sell the Metal Gear Solid: Ultimate HD Collection only available for the PlayStation 3, which was released on November 25.[44]

In November 2011, Kojima discussed with PlayStation Official Magazine (UK) the series' future commenting an upcoming Metal Gear Solid 5.[45] Kojima said: "I think we'll probably have to make it [a sequel to MGS4] at some point, but what that will be, we have no idea". Kojima stated that when Konami does get around to building the game, he will have less influence than he had on previous iterations in the series.[46] After the mixed fan reactions of the reveal of the rebooted action gameplay focused spin-off Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Hideo Kojima reassured fans that an "authentic stealth Metal Gear Solid" sequel would be coming in the future.[47]

During a discussion panel at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in March 2012, Kojima stated: "I am working on something that I think will become the shining moment" for his career and the Metal Gear series.[48] During the franchise's 25th anniversary, Konami revealed a demo for a new game in the Metal Gear series, Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.[49] A social game for the GREE, Metal Gear Solid: Social Ops, was released in December 2012.[50]

On December 7, 2012, a teaser for The Phantom Pain was revealed on the Spike Video Game Awards. Following the teaser trailer, numerous video game-related websites and fansites reported the trailer's seemed connection to the Metal Gear series of video games.[51]

On March 27, 2013, Kojima announced at GDC 2013 that Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain were two different portions of one work, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, with Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes serving as the prologue and The Phantom Pain serving as the main story. Snake's usual English-language voice actor David Hayter was not cast for the role.[52] Instead, Hollywood actor and producer Kiefer Sutherland portrayed the character through voice acting and facial capture.[53]

In 2015, Konami revealed that they were recruiting new staff members to develop a new Metal Gear game as Kojima left the company. On August 17, 2016, Konami announced during Gamescom 2016 that a new Metal Gear game was in the works, known as Metal Gear Survive. It is a spin-off game as well as a supplemental to Metal Gear Solid V as a whole, taking place between Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain.[54]

On May 24, 2023, during Sony's PlayStation Showcase event, a remake of Snake Eater, titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater[b] was announced, as well as the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, which was released on October 24 of that year. It includes the first five mainline Metal Gear games, as well as extra content including the NES version of Metal Gear, Snake's Revenge, Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel, and Bande Dessinée, as well as additional content such as screenplay books, master books, character profiles, story summaries, strategy guides, and a playable soundtrack.[56][57][58]

Storyline

[edit]

In the Metal Gear universe, history had diverged at some point during World War II, with the fictional Cobra Unit, led by The Boss, being instrumental in the defeat of the Axis Powers. Cloning, AI and robotics technology of the 1970s are more advanced.[59] The eleven games in the main Metal Gear series continuity reveal a narrative that spans five and a half decades, from the Cold War, until the near future. Big Boss is the most relevant character within the story of the series and of the canonical 11 games five are prequels centering on his story, set decades before the events of the original Metal Gear. However, Solid Snake is still depicted as the primary main character of the series, as the prequels create context of his purpose and him being the antithesis of his father.

Plot

[edit]

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, which is chronologically the first game in the series, introduces Naked Snake (or Snake for short), an operative working for the fictional Force Operation X (FOX) unit of the CIA during the Cold War.[60] The game focuses on the rise of Snake from an apprentice to a legendary soldier, as well as the downfall of his mentor and matriarchal figure, The Boss. After The Boss defects to the Soviet Union, Snake is sent into Russia to kill her and end the threat posed by Yevgeny Borisovitch Volgin, a GRU colonel with plans to overthrow the Soviet government. Snake's heroics during the game earn him the nickname "Big Boss" at the end. The origins of The Patriots, an organization founded by Zero, are also explored.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops serves as a direct sequel to Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and follows Naked Snake's life after disbanding from FOX. With Snake not yet accepting the Big Boss codename, the plot features the origins of his mercenary unit as he attempts to escape the San Hieronymo Peninsula and battles his old unit.[61] The canonicity of Portable Ops is disputed, with Kojima having stated that "the main story of Portable Ops is part of the Saga, is part of the official Metal Gear timeline, while some of the small details that are in Portable Ops are outside the Saga, not part of the main timeline of the game."[62]

The next game, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, is set ten years after the events of Snake Eater and returns to the story of the young Big Boss. Now the head of the mercenary corporation Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF), Big Boss discovers that nuclear warheads are being transported to Latin America and decides that he must put a stop to it. Peace Walker features a new cast of characters to provide both aid and intelligence for Big Boss. A few characters from later games, such as a younger Kazuhira Miller, make appearances in the game.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, serves as the direct sequel to Peace Walker and is composed of two chapters. The prologue, Ground Zeroes, is set a few weeks after the final mission in Peace Walker, as Big Boss is tasked with rescuing two VIPs from a U.S. military black site on the coast of Cuba. Big Boss' mission coincides with a visit to Mother Base by the IAEA, which turns out to be a cover for an attack on Mother Base orchestrated by the mysterious organization XOF. In the chaos, Big Boss' helicopter collides with another, and he is sent to the hospital for nine years, which leads to the events of the main chapter, The Phantom Pain. The basis of the main story revolves around Big Boss forming a new private military company, the Diamond Dogs to retaliate for the destruction of MSF and the loss of his comrades. However, this "Big Boss" is revealed to be a part of the medical staff who survived the helicopter crash, who was brainwashed to believe himself to be Big Boss, while the real Big Boss went into hiding to create Outer Heaven, a place where soldiers can live without having to abide by any particular ideology.

The first Metal Gear game for the MSX follows Solid Snake, a rookie of the FOXHOUND special operations unit. He is sent by his superior Big Boss to the fortress in South Africa known as Outer Heaven, with the goal of finding the missing squad member Gray Fox and investigating a weapon known as Metal Gear. However, after Snake unexpectedly completes his goals, Big Boss is revealed to be the leader of Outer Heaven, which he has created as a place for soldiers to fight free of any ideology that he believes has been forced upon them by governments. He fights Snake and is killed. However, it turns out that this was actually the body double from Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. In Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake the real Big Boss has established a new military nation, Zanzibar Land, and he and Snake face off again, with Snake achieving victory and seemingly killing Big Boss for good.

Metal Gear Solid elaborates on the storyline of the earlier games and reveals that Solid Snake is a genetic clone of Big Boss, created as part of a secret government project. An antagonist is introduced in the form of Liquid Snake, Snake's twin brother who takes control of FOXHOUND after Snake's retirement. Liquid and FOXHOUND take control of a nuclear weapons disposal facility in Alaska and commandeer REX, the next-generation Metal Gear weapons platform being tested there. They threaten to detonate REX's warhead unless the government turns over the remains of Big Boss. Solid Snake destroys Metal Gear REX and kills the renegade FOXHOUND members, with the exception of Revolver Ocelot.

A third Snake brother known as Solidus Snake is introduced as the United States President at the end of Metal Gear Solid and serves as the main antagonist of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. During his time as president, Solidus became aware of a secretive cabal known as "The Patriots" who were steadily manipulating the course of history. After his tenure as president is over, Solidus takes control of the "Big Shell" offshore facility, which is being used to develop Arsenal Gear, a mobile undersea fortress designed to house and protect a network of AIs created to influence human development by filtering the availability of information across the Internet. The game is set four years after Liquid's death in Metal Gear Solid, and it puts the player in control of Raiden, a soldier who fights against Solidus, who is revealed to be his former commander during his time as a child soldier.[63] Raiden joins forces with Snake and learns that they are being manipulated by Revolver Ocelot, who has been working for the Patriots. At the end of the game, Ocelot seemingly becomes possessed by Liquid Snake as the nanomachines from Liquid's arm (which Ocelot took to replace his own arm after Gray Fox slices it off in Metal Gear Solid) work their way into Ocelot's thought process.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots deals with a rapidly aging Solid Snake (now branded "Old Snake") who is on a mission to find and defeat Revolver Ocelot, now known as Liquid Ocelot. Despite the destruction of the Arsenal Gear in Sons of Liberty, the Patriots have continued in their plans to influence the course of human history, installing artificial intelligence systems around the world. Ocelot, opposed to this, has assembled armies with which to fight back and intends to hijack their entire operating system for his own ends. Solid Snake's objective later changes to destroying the AIs of the Patriots and stop their oppression. After he and his allies succeed, Snake decides to live out his life peacefully.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is set four years after Guns of the Patriots and it stars Raiden as a cyborg ninja mercenary. Raiden joins the private military firm, Maverick Security Consulting, and is tasked with defending the prime minister of an unspecified African country. However, the situation goes awry and the prime minister is killed by a rival PMC company named Desperado Enforcement LLC. Raiden is defeated in the battle, but decides to re-avenge his failure and is sent out with a brand new cyborg body to fight the mysterious military group.

Tone and themes

[edit]

The original Metal Gear, which was released in 1987 during the Cold War, dealt with the manipulation of soldiers by politicians of the East and West, countered by the concept of "Outer Heaven", a country without politics. Its sequel Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, which was released in 1990 at the end of the Cold War, expanded on this with themes regarding political intrigue, battlefield ethics, military history, and the negative effects of warfare.[64]

The overarching theme of the Metal Gear Solid series is that of the "gene, meme, scene, sense, peace,[65] revenge[66] and race,"[67] and how people are affected by these factors according to the game's producer Kojima—Metal Gear Solid deals with genetics and the moral implications of genetic engineering, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty deals with how identity can be affected by the philosophies of one's society (a "meme") and the effects of censorship on society, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater deals with how the time and place one lives in (a "scene") affects their identity, how politics change along with the times and hyperreality, the inability to distinguish fact and fiction in an information-saturated world.[68]

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots deals with "sense", which is a person's understanding of the world that is lost when they die. It also encompasses how some things cannot be passed down to future generations and be misinterpreted as well as the artificially controlled (and globally shared) sense-data of the new era's nanotech-enhanced soldiers.[69] With Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker the plot deals with the true nature of 'peace', and the concept of conflict in human societies. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain deals with the themes "race" and "revenge" and how the latter can make one lose his humanity. Following the initial Metal Gear, each game has been a deconstruction of action movies and video games, using tropes to invoke the themes and ideas especially those of spy movies - it examines what kind of mind and complete control of a situation would be needed to pull off the absurdly complex and convoluted plans that rely on events completely within the realm of chance yet comes off without a hitch. Furthermore, it examines what happens to a child soldier forced to take up a normal life through the characters Eli (also known as Liquid Snake) in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and Jack (primarily known as Raiden) in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.[70]

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance also deals with "revenge". Raiden is defeated in the beginning and feels a deep sense of vengeance, and as such exacts his 'revenge' on the group who sabotaged him, as well as coming to terms with his own past and embracing his true nature. The games carry many implicit parallels to Nietzschean philosophy.[71] Solid Snake serves as a deconstruction of the action hero archetype, as his wartime experiences have turned him into a bitter, broken-down soldier who wishes to retire, but cannot escape the life of conflict that had entwined him for so long. This concept is further explored through Raiden, who is put through the same torments as Snake in explicit detail. Big Boss is similarly not immune to this theme: as Naked Snake, he does not resemble a suave, impeccable secret agent that would otherwise fit into the 1960s spy film pastiche of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, but is instead an everyman character. Only after undergoing immense psychological and physical scarring does he begin to resemble the ultimate soldier known as Big Boss.[72]

Although the series takes place in a realistic military setting, the Metal Gear video games also feature a strong focus on supernatural elements, leading the series to be commonly described as magic realism.[73][74][75][76]

Characters

[edit]
From top to bottom: Big Boss, Liquid Snake, and Solid Snake, three central characters in the Metal Gear series, as drawn by Yoji Shinkawa

In games, players control a character who has to infiltrate into his enemy's area alone to complete his mission.[77] Across the mission, the player receives assistance from a supporting team communicated by Codec. While the team tells the player hints about the mission, it also helps expand the characters through their interactions.[78] During their debuts, player characters Solid Snake and Raiden are meant to represent the player while in the following games they acquire more defined personalities.[79][80] A common motif in the series is the use of powerful enemies. As games were released, new concepts were given to the bosses to make them innovative and notice their strength. As the first games used humans with supernatural abilities, for Metal Gear Solid 4, the designers decided to use monsters rather than humans as enemies.[81] A notable boss battle was The End from Metal Gear Solid 3 that was meant to differentiate it from all the other bosses in the franchise due to its strategic gameplay.[82] Another common motif has been the transformation of a previously normal character returning as a ninja. It started with Kyle Schneider in Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake when he fought against Snake as "Black Ninja". Several other characters have done the same, including Gray Fox, Olga Gurlukovich, and Raiden.[83]

Much as Metal Gear began as partially a pastiche of action movies of the time, characters were sometimes pastiches of contemporary action movie heroes.[84] Metal Gear Solid characters have been designed by Yoji Shinkawa. Several of their real names and aliases are references to various Hollywood films.[78][85] Because of the time skip between games, a few of the characters have been redesigned to fit in the game's year. With the improvements from new video game consoles like the PlayStation and PlayStation 2, the staff gave the characters a more realistic look although they initially had doubts about it.[86] Kojima's thoughts regarding Snake's improved abilities by the time of Metal Gear Solid led to the concept of cloned characters who would be able to match him in combat.[81] By Metal Gear Solid 2, Kojima was inspired by the Sherlock Holmes novels to introduce a sidekick character in order to view Snake from a different perspective.[87]

Development

[edit]
Hideo Kojima is the franchise's creator, and was involved in directing, designing, writing and producing the majority of installments in the main series until Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015).

The first Metal Gear game was intended to be an action game that featured modern military combat. However, the MSX2's hardware limited the number of on-screen bullets and enemies, which Hideo Kojima felt impeded the combat aspect. Inspired by The Great Escape, he altered the gameplay to focus on a prisoner escaping.[88] In a series of articles written for Official PlayStation 2 Magazine, Hideo Kojima identified several Hollywood films as the primary sources of inspiration for the storylines and gameplay of the Metal Gear series. He further noted that the James Bond series is what influenced him the most regarding the creation of Metal Gear Solid.[89] The original plot has references to the nuclear war paranoia during the mid-1980s that resulted from the Cold War.[84] Following games would revolve around nuclear weapon inspections in Iraq and Iran, but this idea was left out due to growing concern regarding the political situation in the Middle East.[84] Other changes to the series were made in Metal Gear Solid 2 as a result of the September 11 attacks.[90]

After Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Kojima planned to release the third Metal Gear game in 1994 for the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer in 1994.[91] Besides changing the game's platform to the PlayStation, the game was renamed, and its subsequent sequels were given the word "Solid" as the series started using 3D computer graphics.[92] Since then, the games were designed to be more realistic to further entertain the players.[93] Metal Gear Solid 3 was initially meant to be made for the PlayStation 3, but due to the long wait for the console, the game was developed for the PlayStation 2 instead.[94] As previous game's settings were indoors areas due to difficulties with the consoles, since Metal Gear Solid 3, Kojima wished to drastically change it despite difficulties.[77][95] Since Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty had several plot points unresolved, it was originally meant to leave it to players to discuss them to come to their own conclusions.[96][97] This has led to consistency issues in the English versions of Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 2 as they mentioned plot elements that were further explored in Metal Gear Solid 4.[98]

[edit]

Printed adaptations

[edit]

A novel adaptation of the original Metal Gear was published in 1988 as a part of Scholastic's Worlds of Power line of novelizations, which were based on third-party NES games.[99] It was written by Alexander Frost. The novelization is not based on the game's official storyline, but rather on Konami of America's localization of the plot. The book takes further liberties by giving Solid Snake the name of Justin Halley, and by changing the name of Snake's unit from FOXHOUND to the "Snake Men". In Japan, a Metal Gear gamebook was published on March 31, 1988, shortly after the release of the game on the Famicom. It is set two years after the events of the original Metal Gear and is part of the Konami Gamebook Series.[100] A novelization of Metal Gear Solid was published in 2008. It was written by Raymond Benson, the author of nine James Bond novels.[101] Benson also wrote a Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty novelization, which was published in 2009.[102] Critical reaction to Benson's novelizations has been generally positive, with Bookgasm.com writing that "Benson does a fine job translating the game to the page" with Metal Gear Solid,[103] and MishMashMagazine.com calling Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty "a great companion to the game".[104] A Japanese-language novelization of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots by Project Itoh was published on June 12, 2008.[105] The novel was translated into English by Viz Media and was released on June 19, 2012.[106]

A comic book adaptation of the original Metal Gear Solid was published by IDW Publishing in 2004. It was written by Kris Oprisko and with illustrations by Ashley Wood. The series lasted 24 issues and has been collected in two trade paperbacks as well as a single hardback collector's edition which is currently out-of-print. The entire run of the comic was collected again in a paperback book, Metal Gear Solid Omnibus, and released in June 2010.[107] A comic book adaptation of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty has also been published by IDW, written by Alex Garner with illustrations by Ashley Wood.[108] A digital version of the first comic book adaptation was released for the PlayStation Portable, Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel, in 2006.[109] A second digital version, Metal Gear Solid 2: Bande Dessinée, was released exclusively in Japan as a DVD release in 2008 and features fully voiced versions of both comic book adaptations.[110] All the Japanese voice actors from the games reprised their roles with the exception of those that have died.

CDs

[edit]

A radio drama based on the original Metal Gear Solid aired in Japan from 1998 to 1999 as part of Konami's syndicated CLUB db program. Directed by Shuyo Murata and written by Motosada Mori, the serial lasted over 12 weekly installments spanning three story arcs. The series was later collected as a two-volume set.[111][112] The series serves as an alternate continuation to the events of Shadow Moses, with Solid Snake, Meryl Silverburgh, Mei Ling and Roy Campbell going on further missions as FOXHOUND operatives (Mei Ling and Meryl are depicted wearing a battle dress uniform and a sneaking suit respectively), although the stories are not considered part of the mainstream Metal Gear canon. The Japanese voice actors from the game reprised their roles for the series, while new characters are introduced as well.

Several promotional DVDs have been released detailing the Metal Gear series. Metal Gear Saga vol. 1 was released in 2006 as a pre-order disc for MGS3: Subsistence. It is divided into five chapters, each dealing with one game of the then five-part Metal Gear series in chronological order (beginning with MGS3), and each includes discussions by Hideo Kojima.[113] Metal Gear Saga vol. 2 was first shown at the 20th Metal Gear Anniversary Party, and then released as a pre-order disc for MGS4. In this, the video is presented as a pseudo-documentary about Solid Snake and is divided into a prologue and four chapters: Naked Snake-the birth of Snake (chronicling the events of MGS3, MG1, and MG2), Liquid Snake-the second snake (MGS), Solidus Snake-the third Snake (MGS2) and Solid Snake-the first Snake (setting the stage for MGS4).[114]

Toys

[edit]

In 1999, McFarlane Toys, with the collaboration of Konami, launched a series of action figures depicting key characters from Metal Gear Solid.[115] In 2001, following the success of the first series, and with the release of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, McFarlane Toys, and Konami combined their efforts to produce a line of action figures depicting Sons of Liberty's main characters. Each character has a piece of Metal Gear RAY, so collecting the entire set is essential to build the robot.[116]

Konami has also released 4" scale blind-box figures based on MGS2 released in Japan, Sons of Liberty in 2002 and Substance shortly after in 2003; the Substance series was eventually brought to the US and UK markets packaged on card rather than blind boxed. During the release of MGS3, Medicom released 12" figures of Snake as part of their Real Action Heroes line. Medicom continued to support the franchise with the release of Kubrick figures for Snake Eater and Guns of the Patriots, which also included seven- and 12-inch versions of the game's characters.

In 2009, toy company ThreeA joined forces with Kojima to make related products. The first fruit of this partnership came in late 2012, when ThreeA released a massive 1/48 scale figure of Metal Gear REX, with working LED lights.[117][118] It can also be dressed up to depict REX's decrepit condition in Guns of the Patriots. The company is also cooperating with graphic artist Ashley Wood to develop a similarly scaled Metal Gear RAY. A prototype was first unveiled at the ReVenture hobby show in Hong Kong in April 2012.[119]

Square Enix also joined the production of toys based on the franchise starting with the boss vehicles and characters from Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. The toys, which are from Square's Play Arts Kai line, were released in 2010.[120][121] The line has since expanded to include characters from Metal Gear Solid, Sons of Liberty, Ground Zeroes, and The Phantom Pain, with the detail more pronounced than the original McFarlane Toys figures.

In 2012, Hot Toys released a 1/6th action figure of Naked Snake in his original sneaking suit attire from MGS3, as well as the Boss.

To celebrate the franchise's 25th anniversary, model kit company Kotobukiya released a 1/100 scale Metal Gear REX, which features small figures of Solid Snake, Liquid Snake, and Gray Fox in both standing and near-death versions.,[122] and later followed suit with RAY. Kaiyodo's Revoltech action figure line includes versions of Big Boss from Peace Walker and Raiden from Rising: Revengeance, plus Venom Snake and a generic Soviet Army soldier from The Phantom Pain for the smaller RevoMini action figure category.

Soundtracks

[edit]

Soundtracks for the first two games were produced by Iku Mizutani, Shigehiro Takenouchi, and Motoaki Furukawa. For Metal Gear Solid, Kojima wanted "a full orchestra right next to the player"; a system which made modifications such as tempo and texture to the currently playing track, instead of switching to another pre-recorded track. Although these features could not be achieved at that time, they were implemented in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.[123] Hideo Kojima's choice of Harry Gregson-Williams, a Hollywood film composer from Hans Zimmer's studio, as the composer for Metal Gear Solid 2 was highly publicized in the run-up to the game's release.[124] Gregson-Williams would reprise his role in Metal Gear Solid 3 and Metal Gear Solid 4.[125] Starting with Metal Gear Solid, theme songs have been provided by popular artists such as Rika Muranaka.[126] Several soundtracks based on the games have also been published.

Planned film adaptation

[edit]

In May 2006, Metal Gear series creator Hideo Kojima announced that an English-language film adaptation of Metal Gear Solid was in early development.[127] Kojima also announced at the Electronic Entertainment Expo later that month that he had negotiated a contract with a party in Hollywood to adapt the video game into a film, though no further details were shared at that time.[128] David Hayter, the English voice actor for Solid Snake, submitted a film treatment that executives passed on.[129] Producers had expressed interest in Equilibrium director Kurt Wimmer as writer and/or director,[130][131] or Paul Thomas Anderson to direct;[132] Kojima also denied claims that German director Uwe Boll was a possible contender.[133] Viggo Mortensen[134] and Hugh Jackman[135] were considered for the role of Snake, while Christian Bale denied rumors of his involvement.[136] On January 11, 2010, producer Michael De Luca confirmed that work on a Metal Gear film adaptation had been postponed indefinitely. He said Konami expressed concern that the entire Metal Gear franchise could be seriously affected if a movie version performed poorly.[137][138] In March 2012, during The Art of Video Games exhibit at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Kojima stated that he did not have a desire to write or direct a potential Metal Gear Solid movie himself.[139][140]

At the Metal Gear 25th Anniversary on August 30, 2012, Hideo Kojima announced that Arad Productions, owned by Arad brothers Avi and Ari, had agreed to produce a movie version of Metal Gear Solid with Columbia Pictures. Columbia's parent company, Sony Pictures Entertainment, will be in charge of distribution.[141] On June 3, 2014, Deadline Hollywood reported that Sony was in talks with Jordan Vogt-Roberts to direct the film;[142] he was confirmed to be attached as director of the project in 2015.[143] In February 2017, Vogt-Roberts said the filmmakers are working on the film's script with Kojima.[144] He has stated a desire for the film to receive an R rating, expressing a desire to make "the riskier, balls-to-the-wall, Kojima-san version of it. [...] it's a way to make the first great video game movie where it doesn't matter that it's based on a video game."[145] Although Jay Basu was initially announced as screenwriter in 2015,[143] Derek Connolly was hired to rewrite the script in November 2017.[146] Connolly completed the first draft of the film's screenplay in July 2018,[147] and another draft in December 2019.[148] In December 2020, it was announced that Oscar Isaac had been officially cast as Solid Snake[149] following his having expressed interest in the role;[150] a 2024 insider rumor suggests Isaac may have dropped out of the project.[151][better source needed] Updates have been minimal since 2020, with comments from Isaac in 2022[152] and Arad in 2024[153] indicating that the script was still in progress.

Reception and legacy

[edit]
Aggregate review scores
As of September 8, 2015.
Game Metacritic
Metal Gear Solid (PS1) 94[154]
(PC) 83[155]
Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions -
Metal Gear: Ghost Babel -
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (PS2) 96[156]
Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance (Xbox) 87[157]
(PS2) 87[158]
(PC) 77[159]
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (GCN) 85[160]
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2) 91[161]
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (PS2) 94[162]
Metal Gear Acid (PSP) 75[163]
Metal Gear Acid 2 (PSP) 80[164]
Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel (PSP) 78[165]
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (PSP) 87[166]
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus (PSP) 65[167]
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3) 94[168]
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (PSP) 89[169]
Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (X360) 90[170]
(PS3) 89[171]
(Vita) 81[172]
Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D (3DS) 78[173]
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (PC) 83[174]
(X360) 82[175]
(PS3) 80[176]
Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection (PS3) 93[177]
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (PC) 80[178]
(XONE) 76[179]
(PS4) 75[180]
(PS3) 66[181]
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (PC) 91[182]
(PS4) 93[183]
(XONE) 95[184]
Metal Gear Survive (PC) 54[185]
(PS4) 60[186]
(XONE) 62[187]

The Metal Gear franchise has achieved great success, selling over 61.1 million copies as of February 2024.[8] By February 2007, the series had grossed more than $1 billion (equivalent to between $1.5–2.7 billion adjusted for inflation) from 20 million copies sold, in addition to having sold ancillary merchandise including 3 million strategy guides, 1.5 million action figures and 200,000 comic books.[188] As of 2019, the franchise has grossed about $2.5 billion worldwide.[189]

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty sold 7.03 million copies worldwide,[190][191] and is followed in sales by Metal Gear Solid with over 7 million copies sold,[192] and then Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, each with over 6 million copies sold.[193][194][195][196] According to Chart-Track, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots was the second fastest-selling PlayStation 3 game in the United Kingdom after Grand Theft Auto IV.[197] The Phantom Pain grossed $179 million on release day, higher than the combined opening day box office of the films Avengers: Age of Ultron and Jurassic World.[198] The PlayStation Portable games were met with notably lower sales, but it has been analyzed that this was because of the low sales of the console when the games were released.[199] Metal Gear Survive, the first Metal Gear game to be developed since series creator Hideo Kojima left Konami, sold only a fraction of the sales made by Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.[200]

The series as a whole (namely concerning the Kojima-directed titles) is often regarded as one of the most influential of all time and has received largely critical acclaim from critics and players. Most of the numbered installments are considered to be some of the greatest video games of all time. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty currently possesses 95.09% on GameRankings and 96/100 on Metacritic, making it the highest-scoring game of the series to date.[156][201] In 2002, IGN's editors ranked Metal Gear Solid as the best PlayStation game ever.[202] In Game Informer Magazine's list of top 200 games of all time, Metal Gear Solid 2 ranked at No. 50 on the list.[203] Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was also voted as the fifth greatest PlayStation game in a poll from PlayStation Official Magazine (UK).[204] Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 2 were featured in the Smithsonian American Art Museum's "The Art of Video Games" exhibition taking place from March 16 to September 30, 2012.[205] Games have won multiple awards such as Metal Gear Solid, which won the "Excellence Award for Interactive Art" by the Japan Media Arts Festival,[206] and Metal Gear Solid 2, which was given the Game of the Year award by Game Informer.[207]

Metal Gear was the first mainstream stealth game, with the player starting the game unarmed,[208] and sold over a million copies in the United States.[209] Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake evolved the stealth gameplay of its predecessor and is considered one of the best 8-bit games of all time.[210] Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 are credited with pioneering stealth mechanics.[3] Metal Gear Solid, which debuted at the 1996 Tokyo Game Show,[13] was the first 3D stealth game,[211] and is credited with popularizing the stealth game genre,[4] as well as the hiding-behind-cover mechanic.[212] The series pioneered the integration of cinematic techniques into video games,[3][5] especially Metal Gear Solid which Eurogamer considers the "first modern video game".[3]

Several boss fights have been praised for their variety and strategy required to beat them.[213][214] The series is notorious for its fourth wall breaking scenes.[213][215] The storyline has been commented to maintain "rich characterization" while touching on some controversial themes.[64][210] Hideo Kojima's ambitious script in Metal Gear Solid 2 has been praised, some calling it the first example of a postmodern video game,[80][216][217][218] while others have argued that it anticipated concepts such as post-truth politics, fake news, echo chambers and alternative facts.[219][220][221][222] The series' storytelling in general has received praise for being among "the most fascinating science fiction stories in any medium".[223] The series' cutscenes have often been praised for their graphics and the characters' stunt performances.[224][225] Nevertheless, a common criticism has been the scenes' lengthiness, as well as some parts of the storyline.[226][227] Raiden's unexpected introduction as the main protagonist in Metal Gear Solid 2, due to his lack of appearances in the games' trailers and how he replaces fan-favorite character Solid Snake, has been deemed as one of the most controversial parts of the entire series.[228][229] The series' audio has been acclaimed to the point of receiving awards for its use of sound and music.[230][231]

The Metal Gear series inspired numerous video game developers. Splinter Cell and Far Cry 2 designer Clint Hocking stated that every stealth-action game "owes its existence to the success of Metal Gear" and that, "Without Metal Gear, there would be no stealth games."[1] Splinter Cell producer Mathieu Ferland said "Metal Gear Solid was a huge inspiration for Splinter Cell" and it "was a pioneer for both the genre and the quality of directing".[2] Silicon Knights founder Denis Dyack said Metal Gear Solid's "story, script, characters, voice acting, and cinemas" were "a landmark" and "guiding light to the future of videogames."[2] Unreal and Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski cited the military themes and action gameplay of Metal Gear as a major influence on his work, and he named Gears of War in homage to Metal Gear.[232][233] Tenchu creator Takuma Endo cited the early 2D Metal Gear games as an influence.[234] Thief creator Tom Leonard said Metal Gear Solid's success convinced them that experimental stealth gameplay could be marketable and "revitalized the team" in "the closing months of the project."[235] Sumo Digital designer Emily Knox cited Metal Gear Solid as an early formative influence on their work.[236] Crysis 2 animator Luke Kelly said the game's animations were inspired by Metal Gear Solid 4.[237][238] Neil Druckmann cited the revelation of Raiden in Metal Gear Solid 2 as an influence on The Last of Us Part II (2020).[239]

Beyond video games, filmmaker Jordan Peele cited the series as an inspiration, particularly Metal Gear Solid 2.[240] Several critics have also drawn comparisons between the Metal Gear Solid series, especially Metal Gear Solid 2, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014).[241][242][243]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Although Kojima had been working on games at Konami, Kojima Productions was not officially formed until 2005.
  2. ^ Stylized as Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater[55]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Interview with Clint Hocking Archived November 26, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, GameCritics, May 24, 2005
  2. ^ a b c "EGM's Final Milestone: The Legendary 200th Issue (Part 2)". VentureBeat. September 21, 2009. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e Stanton, Rich (August 12, 2015). "Metal Gear Solid: The first modern video game". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on November 15, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Sneak Attack". 1up. Archived from the original on July 15, 2006. Retrieved May 15, 2008.
  5. ^ a b Wolf, Mark J. P. (2012). Encyclopedia of Video Games: The Culture, Technology, and Art of Gaming. ABC-CLIO. p. 348. ISBN 9780313379369.
  6. ^ "The Darkest Cyberpunk Worlds In Japanese Video Games". Kotaku. April 10, 2013. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  7. ^ Burke, Addie (January 28, 2014). "How well did Metal Gear Solid predict the future of warfare?". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on December 5, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "KONAMI HOLDINGS CORPORATION". September 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  9. ^ "Metal Gear (MSX2)". GameSpot. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
  10. ^ Kojima, Hideo (Presenter) (March 25, 2009). GDC 2009: Hideo Kojima Keynote Address Part 1 (Flash Video) (Presentation). GameSpot. Event occurs at 27:02. Archived from the original on April 1, 2009. Retrieved April 13, 2009. Kojima: You may know the NES version of Metal Gear but that's a crap game because I didn't participate on that game.
  11. ^ Chen, David (December 14, 2005). "Retro/Active: Metal Gear: Kojima's Productions". metalgear.1up.com. 1UP.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
  12. ^ "Snake's Revenge". GameSpot. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  13. ^ a b Metal Gear Solid (Beta + Tech Demo – PSX) Archived November 25, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, Unseen64, April 11, 2008
  14. ^ IGN staff. "Game Details for Metal Gear Solid". IGN. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  15. ^ "Metal Gear Solid Hits Japan". IGN. September 3, 1998. Archived from the original on February 13, 2009. Retrieved May 19, 2008.
  16. ^ "Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes – Related Games". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 13, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  17. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Related Games". GameSpot. Archived from the original on July 29, 2010. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
  18. ^ IGN staff. "Game Details for MGS3: Snake Eater". IGN. Archived from the original on August 13, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  19. ^ "Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops – Related Games". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 4, 2009. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
  20. ^ IGN staff. "Game Details for MGS: Portable Ops". IGN. Archived from the original on September 21, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  21. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Related Games". GameSpot. Archived from the original on March 31, 2009. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
  22. ^ IGN staff. "Game Details for MGS4: Guns of the Patriots". IGN. Archived from the original on February 21, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  23. ^ IGN staff. "Game Details for Metal Gear Online". IGN. Archived from the original on February 20, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  24. ^ "Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Listed For PSP". Kotaku. June 1, 2009. Archived from the original on June 5, 2009. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
  25. ^ Hasset, Hian (June 22, 2010). "Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Review". PALGN. Archived from the original on February 8, 2013. Retrieved September 16, 2011.
  26. ^ "INTERVIEW: The Truth Behind RISING". YouTube. December 13, 2011. Archived from the original on December 12, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  27. ^ IGN staff. "Game Details for MGS: Integral (PlayStation)". IGN. Archived from the original on October 2, 2008. Retrieved April 13, 2009.
  28. ^ "Metal Gear Solid VR Missions – Related Games". GameSpot. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
  29. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance (PlayStation 2) – Related Games". GameSpot. Archived from the original on December 7, 2009. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
  30. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence – Related Games". GameSpot. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
  31. ^ IGN staff. "Game Details for Metal Gear Acid". IGN. Archived from the original on February 10, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  32. ^ IGN staff. "Game Details for Metal Gear Acid 2". IGN. Archived from the original on March 11, 2009. Retrieved March 28, 2009.
  33. ^ "KOJIMA PRODUCTION "NEXT"". Konami. May 26, 2009. Archived from the original on August 28, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  34. ^ "MGS4". Famitsu PSP + PS3 (in Japanese) (July 2009): 12–17.
  35. ^ "First Big Boss, and then Raiden (With Censored Kojima Interview)". Kotaku. May 26, 2009. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  36. ^ "Raiden Appears in New Metal Gear; Hideo Kojima directing and designing new title". IGN. May 26, 2009. Archived from the original on June 10, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  37. ^ "Metal Gear Next Update; The censors win this round". IGN. May 27, 2009. Archived from the original on June 10, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  38. ^ "E3: New Metal Gear confirmed for 360 News – Xbox 360 – Page 1". Eurogamer. June 2009. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  39. ^ "Kojima Pro E3 2010 Special Site". Konami. June 15, 2009. Archived from the original on August 29, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  40. ^ Wesley Yin-Poole (July 6, 2010). "MGS 3DS "just testing the grounds"". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on September 9, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  41. ^ "MGS4 on PSP2". Kotau. January 27, 2011. Archived from the original on January 30, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  42. ^ "Metal Gear, Zone of the Enders Return With HD Collections". Kotaku. June 2, 2011. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  43. ^ "MGS HD Collection will include the original game in Japan". Gadgets Gizmos. August 15, 2011. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  44. ^ "PS3 secures exclusive Metal Gear Solid HD: Ultimate box". Computer And Video Games. August 15, 2011. Archived from the original on October 19, 2011. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  45. ^ "PlayStation UK Mag: Kojima to Discuss Metal Gear Solid 5". Anime News Network. November 17, 2011. Archived from the original on November 19, 2011. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  46. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (November 21, 2011). "Kojima: "We'll probably have to make Metal Gear Solid 5"". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on November 23, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2011.
  47. ^ Yin, Wesley (December 13, 2011). "Kojima promises "authentic stealth Metal Gear Solid" sequel is coming • News •". Eurogamer.net. Archived from the original on November 15, 2012. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  48. ^ Jackson, Leah (June 20, 2012). "Metal Gear Solid 5 Confirmed – Solid Snake Is Back with the Fox Engine". Archived from the original on January 14, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2012.
  49. ^ Gantayat, Anoop (August 30, 2012). "First Metal Gear Solid Ground Zeroes Artwork". Andriasang. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  50. ^ Gantayat, Anoop (August 30, 2012). "Social Metal Gear Announced for GREE". Andriasang. Archived from the original on September 2, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2012.
  51. ^ Mallory, Jordan (December 8, 2012). "The Phantom Pain speculation round-up: Metal Gear?!". Joystiq. Archived from the original on December 10, 2012. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
  52. ^ Goldfarb, Andrew (April 2013). "David Hayter Comments on Metal Gear Solid V Absence". IGN. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved April 2, 2013.
  53. ^ "Konami's pre-E3 stream: Kiefer Sutherland Playing Snake in Metal Gear Solid 5". VG24/7. June 6, 2013. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  54. ^ Skrebels, Joe (August 17, 2016). "Gamescom 2016: Konami Announces Metal Gear Survive". IGN. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  55. ^ Peters, Jay (May 24, 2023). "It's Metal Gear Solid Delta, not Metal Gear Solid Triangle". The Verge. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  56. ^ Fanelli, Jason; Bonthuys, Darryn (May 25, 2023). "Metal Gear Solid 3 Snake Eater Remake, Metal Gear Solid Collection Revealed". GameSpot. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  57. ^ Croft, Liam (May 24, 2023). "Metal Gear Solid 1, 2, and 3 Launch on PS5 in the Master Collection". Push Square. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  58. ^ Nightingale, Ed (May 26, 2023). "Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 also includes Metal Gear 1 and 2". Eurogamer. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  59. ^ Hosie, Ewen (2015). "The Technological Alt-History of 'Metal Gear Solid'". GameSpot. Archived from the original on July 4, 2006. Retrieved August 10, 2006.
  60. ^ Kasavin, Greg (2004). "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on July 4, 2006. Retrieved August 10, 2006.
  61. ^ IGN site staff. "Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops First Look Game Profile". IGN. Archived from the original on September 21, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2007.
  62. ^ Miller IV, Johnny. "Myth: Hideo Kojima said that Portable Ops and Rising are canonical :: THE SNAKE SOUP". The Snake Soup. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  63. ^ Kojima Productions. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Konami. Colonel: You have two missions objectives. One: infiltrate the offshore decontamination facility "Big Shell" and safeguard the President and other hostages. And two: disarm the terrorists by any means necessary.
  64. ^ a b "GameSpy's Top MGS Moments: Metal Gear Solid 2 (Day Two)". GameSpy. May 16, 2008. p. 5. Archived from the original on March 19, 2012. Retrieved November 25, 2009.
  65. ^ Kojima, Hideo (September 9, 2012). "Gene→Meme→Scene→Sense→Peace→?". Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  66. ^ Kojima, Hideo (January 24, 2013). "N/A". TwitLonger. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  67. ^ Kojima, Hideo. "Answer to the question". Twitter. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  68. ^ "GameSetWatch Analysis: What Metal Gear Solid 3 Teaches Us About Hyperreality". www.gamesetwatch.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2018. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  69. ^ Hideo Kojima, ed. (2005). "HIDEOBLOG 2005.09.26". Hideoblog. Archived from the original on October 20, 2007. Retrieved August 5, 2006.
  70. ^ Gwaltney, Javy (October 12, 2017). "The Virtual Life – Trauma And The Futility Of Revenge In Metal Gear Solid V". Game Informer. Archived from the original on August 27, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  71. ^ Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, The Official Guide. Konami. 2004. ISBN 1-903511-71-2.
  72. ^ Adams, Aubrie (2017). 100 greatest video game characters. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Lanham. p. 180. ISBN 978-1442278134.
  73. ^ Moira, Hicks (August 3, 2019). "How Metal Gear Eschewed Realism to Convey the Horror of Imperial Violence". Gematsu. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  74. ^ Keogh, Brendan (September 18, 2015). "On Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain". Brkeogh.com. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  75. ^ Davenport, James (August 27, 2015). "Become a Metal Gear expert before The Phantom Pain comes out". PC Gamer. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  76. ^ Valle, Nathaniel (April 29, 2014). "Marquez, Vamp, and Me – Metal Gear Solid and the Supernatural". Christ and Pop Culture. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  77. ^ a b GamePro site staff (2003). "Feature: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Interview". GamePro. Archived from the original on February 28, 2004. Retrieved September 2, 2006.
  78. ^ a b Kojima Productions. The Document of Metal Gear Solid 2. Konami. Level/area: Making of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.
  79. ^ "METAL GEAR SOLID 4 INTEGRATED SITE". Archived from the original on March 4, 2008.
  80. ^ a b Matthew Weise (2003). "How Videogames Express Ideas" (PDF). Level Up: Digital Games Research Conference. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 10, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  81. ^ a b "TGS '07: Kojima speaks". GameSpot. Archived from the original on August 1, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  82. ^ Lewis, Ed (December 2004). "The Snake Eater Interview". IGN. Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved September 2, 2006.
  83. ^ Scheeden, Jeese (June 11, 2008). "Top 10 Metal Gear Villains". IGN. Archived from the original on June 28, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  84. ^ a b c Metal Gear Saga Vol. 1 (DVD). Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. 2006.
  85. ^ Kent, Steven. "Hideo Kojima: Game Guru, Movie Maniac". Gamers Today. Archived from the original on July 27, 2001. Retrieved July 15, 2005.
  86. ^ Williamson, Colin (December 12, 2000). "Yoji Shinkawa interview". IGN. Archived from the original on February 13, 2007. Retrieved January 1, 2007.
  87. ^ "The Final Hours of Metal Gear Solid 2". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 3, 2006. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  88. ^ Szczepaniak, John. "Before They Were Famouos". Retro Gamer (35). Imagine Publishing: 74.
  89. ^ "Hideo Kojima at the Movies: 007". PlayStation Official Magazine (UK). Future Publishing. March 2003. Archived from the original on July 3, 2010. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
  90. ^ Hideo Kojima (2002). The Document of Metal Gear Solid 2 (DVD). New Zealand: Konami.
  91. ^ "KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS – HIDECHAN RADIO – Episode 148" (in Japanese). Konami. Archived from the original (mp3) on July 22, 2011. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  92. ^ Hogdson, David. Metal Gear Solid: Official Mission Handbook. Kojima: 'Metal Gear' is as it is, and 'Solid' has a deep meaning. Let me explain. This time Metal Gear is displayed in full polygonal form, and I used 'Solid' to describe the cubic structure. Also, the 'Solid' means to the third power mathematically. Also, most of the people don't know that there is a Metal Gear 1 and 2 for the MSX, and I wanted it to be the sequel for those. And, of course, Solid from Solid Snake.
  93. ^ IGN staff (April 28, 1998). "More News From Metal Gear Solid Creator". IGN. Archived from the original on November 30, 2007. Retrieved November 14, 2006.
  94. ^ Konami Productions. Metal Gear Solid 4: Sons of Liberty Limited Edition Blu-ray DVD. Konami. Level/area: Metal Gear 20-year SAGA.
  95. ^ Hivner, Brendon. "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (First Look) Preview". GamingWorldX. Archived from the original on July 4, 2003. Retrieved September 5, 2006.
  96. ^ Kris Pigna (April 15, 2010). "Kojima: 'I'll Have to Leave the Industry' if Next Game Goes Wrong". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2011.
  97. ^ "Kojima wanted to end Metal Gear but now wants to meet fan demand". Computer and Video Games. Archived from the original on November 29, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  98. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 4 Afterthoughts with Ryan Payton". 1UP.com. November 9, 2008. Archived from the original on July 24, 2012. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
  99. ^ Frost, Alexander (1990). Metal Gear. Scholastic. ISBN 0-590-43777-1.
  100. ^ Metal Gear. Konami Gamebook Series (in Japanese). ISBN 4-87655-013-1.
  101. ^ Benson, Raymond (2008). Metal Gear Solid. Del Rey. p. 336. ISBN 978-0-345-50328-2.
  102. ^ Benson, Raymond (2009). Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Del Rey. p. 320. ISBN 978-0-345-50343-5.
  103. ^ Bruce Grossman (June 16, 2008). "Metal Gear Solid". Bookgasm.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  104. ^ Gaming (September 24, 2009). "Raymond Benson's Sons of Liberty, a novelization of Metal Gear Solid | Video Games". Mishmash Magazine. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  105. ^ Project Itoh (June 2008). Metal Gear Solid – Guns of the Patriots (in Japanese). 角川書店. ISBN 978-4-04-707244-2.
  106. ^ "Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriot". Barnesandnoble.com. Retrieved February 13, 2012.
  107. ^ Metal Gear Solid Omnibus. Amazon.com. June 15, 2010. ISBN 978-1-60010-663-7. Archived from the original on October 6, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  108. ^ George, Richard (July 6, 2007). "Metal Gear Solid: Sons of Liberty #10 Preview". IGN. Archived from the original on September 11, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  109. ^ Haynes, Jeff (June 13, 2006). "Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel". IGN. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  110. ^ Miller, Greg (July 24, 2007). "Metal Gear Solid 2: Bande Dessinee Announced". IGN. Archived from the original on May 22, 2009. Retrieved March 27, 2012.
  111. ^ "DRAMA CDメタルギア ソリッド Vol.1" (in Japanese). Konami. Archived from the original on March 23, 2006. Retrieved August 3, 2006.
  112. ^ "DRAMA CD メタルギア ソリッド Vol.2" (in Japanese). Konami. Archived from the original on March 23, 2006. Retrieved August 3, 2006.
  113. ^ "IGN: Metal Gear Saga Vol. 1 DVD". IGN. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
  114. ^ McElroy, Griffin (March 29, 2008). "MGS4 pre-order DVDs shipping with MGO beta keys, beta to begin April 21". Joystiq. Archived from the original on March 30, 2008. Retrieved March 30, 2008.
  115. ^ "SPAWN.COM >> TOYS >> GAMES AND ANIMATION >> METAL GEAR SOLID". TMP International, Inc. Archived from the original on June 18, 2013. Retrieved December 21, 2006.
  116. ^ "SPAWN.COM >> TOYS >> GAMES AND ANIMATION >> METAL GEAR SOLID 2: SONS OF LIBERTY". TMP International, Inc. Archived from the original on June 18, 2013. Retrieved December 21, 2006.
  117. ^ "MGS REX". Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  118. ^ "ThreeA's Metal Gear Rex on sale tonight". Archived from the original on January 9, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  119. ^ Plunkett, Luke. "The Most Amazing Portal, Halo & Metal Gear Toys You'll Ever See". Kotaku. Archived from the original on January 28, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2012.
  120. ^ "『MGS PW』フィギュア発売決定!『FRONT MISSION EVOLVED』とコラボも/ゲーム情報ポータル:ジーパラドットコム". Gpara.com. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  121. ^ "これまでにない作品が誕生! 『MGS PW』完成披露会で小島秀夫監督が熱弁 – 電撃オンライン". News.dengeki.com. April 7, 2010. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  122. ^ "Kotobukiya Unveils Their Own Metal Gear Masterpiece With The Rex Model Kit!". Archived from the original on June 10, 2013.
  123. ^ "E3: Hideo Kojima Interview". IGN. May 15, 2000. Archived from the original on June 11, 2007. Retrieved July 13, 2007.
  124. ^ Harry Gregson-Williams' interview in The Making of Documentary in the Bonus Making of DVD.
  125. ^ "TGS 06:Kojima on Metal Gear". GameSpot. 2006. Archived from the original on August 11, 2009. Retrieved January 22, 2007.
  126. ^ Aoife Ní Fhearraigh. "My Albums". Aoife Ní Fhearraigh. Archived from the original on August 26, 2001. Retrieved October 23, 2006.
  127. ^ Tom Bramwell (May 2, 2006). "Kojima confirms MGS movie". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on February 7, 2009. Retrieved August 10, 2007.
  128. ^ Tor Thorsen (May 10, 2006). "E3 06: Live-action Metal Gear Solid movie confirmed". GameSpot. Archived from the original on June 22, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2007.
  129. ^ Stax (May 14, 2007). "Metal Gear Solid Movie Exclusive". IGN. Archived from the original on September 4, 2007. Retrieved August 10, 2007.
  130. ^ "EXCL: Kurt Wimmer Adapting Metal Gear Solid?". ComingSoon.net. March 13, 2008. Archived from the original on April 16, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  131. ^ "Mike De Luca Exclusive Interview". Collider. Archived from the original on March 21, 2009. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  132. ^ Brian Ashcraft (May 13, 2008). "Metal Gear Movie Update". Kotaku.com. Archived from the original on December 27, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  133. ^ "Kojima on Uwe Boll "It's impossible"". Kotaku. February 3, 2006. Archived from the original on June 27, 2013. Retrieved September 15, 2011.
  134. ^ "Metal Gear Solid: The Movie". JeuxFrance.com. April 30, 2006. Archived from the original on September 2, 2008. Retrieved August 10, 2007.
  135. ^ "Who Kojima Wants to Play Snake in MGS Movie". September 27, 2012. Archived from the original on October 2, 2019. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  136. ^ "MTV Multiplayer: Christian Bale Likes 'Metal Gear,' Doesn't Like Talking". Multiplayerblog.mtv.com. June 24, 2009. Archived from the original on May 4, 2011. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  137. ^ "'Metal Gear Solid' Film Unlikely To Happen in the Near Future". MTV. January 11, 2010. Archived from the original on March 16, 2012. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  138. ^ "Metal Gear Movie Dead". IGN. Archived from the original on December 12, 2010. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
  139. ^ Snyder, Daniel D. (March 21, 2012). "How Hideo Kojima Became a Legendary Video-Game Designer". theatlantic.com. Archived from the original on August 30, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  140. ^ Carmichael, Stephanie. "Hideo Kojima spoke at the Smithsonian's 'The Art of Video Games' exhibition". gameszone.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
  141. ^ "'Metal Gear Solid' Movie Announced". Archived from the original on October 23, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
  142. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 3, 2014). "Sony In Talks With Jordan Vogt-Roberts To Helm 'Metal Gear Solid'". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  143. ^ a b Jaafar, Ali (March 30, 2015). "Sony Taps Jay Basu To Write 'Metal Gear Solid'". Deadline.
  144. ^ Chitwood, Adam (February 20, 2017). "'Metal Gear Solid' Movie Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts Offers Extensive Update, Talks Rating". Collider.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  145. ^ "Jordan Vogt-Roberts Wants R-Rated 'Metal Gear Solid' Movie". comicbook.com. Archived from the original on December 19, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  146. ^ Kroll, Justin; Lang, Brent (November 8, 2017). "Jurassic World Scribe To Write Metal Gear Solid Film (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  147. ^ "Metal Gear Solid Movie Script Is Finished, More Art Revealed". MovieWeb. July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  148. ^ "Jordan Vogt-Roberts: New Draft Script Turned In for Metal Gear Solid Film". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 7, 2019.
  149. ^ Kroll, Justin (December 4, 2020). "Oscar Isaac To Star As Solid Snake In Sony's 'Metal Gear Solid' Movie". Deadline. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  150. ^ "Oscar Isaac Wants to be Solid Snake for Vogt-Roberts' 'Metal Gear Solid' Film". March 4, 2019. Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  151. ^ "Oscar Isaac is reportedly no longer hiding under a cardboard box as Snake for the Jordan Vogt-Roberts Metal Gear Solid movie". February 9, 2024.
  152. ^ Kim, Matt (March 23, 2022). "Oscar Isaac Gives an Update on Metal Gear Solid Movie: 'We're Searching Like Solid Snake'". IGN.
  153. ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (July 1, 2024). "Metal Gear Solid Movie Script Still Being Worked On, Producer Says". IGN. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  154. ^ "Metal Gear Solid Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 27, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  155. ^ "Metal Gear Solid Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  156. ^ a b "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 27, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  157. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 20, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  158. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 14, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  159. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  160. ^ "Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on March 19, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  161. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  162. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistance Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 25, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  163. ^ "Metal Gear Acid Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on January 20, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  164. ^ "Metal Gear Acid 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 1, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  165. ^ "Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 3, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  166. ^ "Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 4, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  167. ^ "Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 22, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  168. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 3, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  169. ^ "Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 11, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  170. ^ "Metal Gear Solid HD Collection Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  171. ^ "Metal Gear Solid HD Collection Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  172. ^ "Metal Gear Solid HD Collection Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  173. ^ "Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  174. ^ "Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 26, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  175. ^ "Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  176. ^ "Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 3, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  177. ^ "Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  178. ^ "Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  179. ^ "Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 22, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  180. ^ "Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  181. ^ "Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 3, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  182. ^ "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  183. ^ "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on September 8, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  184. ^ "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on March 19, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  185. ^ "Metal Gear Survive Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on March 14, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  186. ^ "Metal Gear Survive Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on March 12, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  187. ^ "Metal Gear Survive Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  188. ^ Siegel, Tatiana; Kit, Borys (February 9, 2007). "'Metal Gear Solid' film being forged at Columbia". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  189. ^ Dennison, Kara (April 7, 2019). "Fate/GO Has Earned in Four Years What Metal Gear Solid Has in 32". Crunchyroll. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  190. ^ "Million-Seller Genealogy". Konami Computer Entertainment Japan (KCEJ). Konami. December 31, 2004. Archived from the original on March 15, 2005. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  191. ^ Big Gaz. "Metal Gear Solid 3 Exclusive For Sony". GamePlanet. Archived from the original on August 2, 2003. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  192. ^ "Form 20-F (For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005)". U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Konami Corporation. July 22, 2005. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  193. ^ Big Gaz (May 15, 2003). "Metal Gear Solid 3 Exclusive For Sony". Gameplanet. Archived from the original on August 2, 2003. Retrieved July 7, 2007.
  194. ^ "FY 2010 3rd quarter Financial Results" (PDF). Konami. February 4, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 18, 2013. Retrieved August 12, 2011.
  195. ^ Alexander, Leigh (May 21, 2014). "Republique, and the fight for narrative games in a modern market". Gamasutra. UBM TechWeb. Archived from the original on May 22, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  196. ^ "METAL GEAR SOLID 5: THE PHANTOM PAIN SHIPPED OVER 6 MILLION COPIES". IGN. January 29, 2016. Archived from the original on September 14, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  197. ^ Minkley, Johnny (June 17, 2008). "Chart-Track: MGS4 had "minimal" impact on UK PS3 sales". GamesIndustry.biz. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2008.
  198. ^ "Metal Gear Solid V's opening day beats Jurassic World, Avengers combined". Destructoid.com. October 14, 2015. Archived from the original on January 1, 2016. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  199. ^ "Peace Walker Sales Difficult To Judge". IGN.com. July 17, 2010. Archived from the original on October 4, 2012. Retrieved July 17, 2010.
  200. ^ Saed, Sherif (February 26, 2018). "Metal Gear Survive UK week 1 sales down considerably compared to The Phantom Pain, Metal Gear Rising". VG247. Archived from the original on February 28, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  201. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Reviews". GameRankings. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  202. ^ IGN staff (January 22, 2002). "Top 25 Games of All Time: Complete List". IGN. Archived from the original on March 1, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2006.
  203. ^ "Top 200 Games". Game Informer. No. 200. December 2009.
  204. ^ PlayStation Official Magazine issue 50, Future Publishing, October 2010
  205. ^ "The Art of Video Games". Archived from the original on January 10, 2011. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  206. ^ "1998 Japan Media Arts Festival Digital Art (Interactive Art) Excellence Prize Metal Gear Solid". Japan Media Arts Plaza. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved August 28, 2007.
  207. ^ "Games of 2001." Game Informer. January 2002: p. 52
  208. ^ Shane Patterson (February 3, 2009). "The sneaky history of stealth games: Hide and seek through the ages". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2009.
  209. ^ Hideo Kojima (Interviewee) (March 14, 2006). Metal Gear Saga, Vol. 1. Konami. Konami decided to develop a NES version of Metal Gear, but I had absolutely nothing to do with this game. The game launched worldwide and became a huge hit, selling one million copies in the U.S.
  210. ^ a b Paul Soth. "GOTW: Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake". GameSpy. Archived from the original on October 16, 2008. Retrieved August 27, 2009.
  211. ^ Gamification: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications. IGI Global. 2015. p. 168. ISBN 9781466682016.
  212. ^ Gears of War Review Archived November 27, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, GamesFirst
  213. ^ a b Jones, Nick. "Metal Gear Solid – My Top Five Moments". Play. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  214. ^ Dodson, Joe (July 28, 2007). "Metal Gear 20 Years of Boss Battles". GameSpot. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2007.
  215. ^ Sharkey, Scott (June 3, 2011). "Metal Gear's Top 5 Awkward Moments". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2012. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  216. ^ Mark Ryan Sallee (June 29, 2006). "Kojima's Legacy". IGN. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2009.
  217. ^ James Howell & Ryan Payton (March 20, 2008). "The Kojima Productions Report Session 084". Kojima Productions. Archived from the original on June 4, 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
  218. ^ "Games as Art: The videogames that prove Rogert Ebert wrong". IGN. July 31, 2007. Archived from the original on December 16, 2009. Retrieved November 24, 2009.
  219. ^ Wiltshire, Alex. "Flashback: How 'Metal Gear Solid 2' Foretold Our Post-Truth Future". Glixel. Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 19, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  220. ^ "Super News Live – Latest News". supernewslive.com.
  221. ^ "The Scary Political Relevance of 'Metal Gear Solid 2'". January 20, 2017. Archived from the original on February 23, 2017. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  222. ^ "How Metal Gear Solid manipulated its players, warning us of an age of Fake News, Cambridge Analytica and data surveillance". GamesRadar. March 30, 2018. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  223. ^ Whitbrook, James (August 31, 2015). "Metal Gear Solid Is One Of The Most Fascinating Science Fiction Stories in Any Medium". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  224. ^ Shaw, Pattrick (June 11, 2009). "Feature: Metal Gear Solid Rising: 6 Things to Expect from the Game". GamePro. Archived from the original on November 11, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  225. ^ "The Top Ten Video Game Openings," Game Informer 187 (November 2008): 38.
  226. ^ Reparaz, Mikel (November 10, 2009). "5 reasons to hate Metal Gear Solid". GamesRadar. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
  227. ^ Jensen, K. Thor (December 3, 2010). "The 11 Weirdest Game Endings". UGO.com. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  228. ^ Meli, Marissa (June 3, 2011). "Trolled: The Biggest Disappointments in Video Games". UGO.com. Archived from the original on June 11, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  229. ^ Newman, James (2008). Playing with Videogames. Taylor & Francis. pp. 39–40. ISBN 978-0-415-38523-7.
  230. ^ "IGN.com's Overall Best of 2004 Awards – Best Use of Sound". IGN. Archived from the original on June 9, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  231. ^ "Special Achievement Awards". GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 20, 2009. Retrieved March 31, 2012.
  232. ^ "DualShock Nexus: Hideo Kojima's Huge Influence on Cliffy B". Archived from the original on August 15, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  233. ^ "Cliffy B toast Hideo Kojima Hard Rock Cafe Seattle MGS25th Anniversary party". YouTube. San Diego Comic-Con. March 4, 2013. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  234. ^ Mielke, James (December 29, 2008). "Exclusive Tenchu: Shadow Assassins Interview". 1UP.com. p. 2. Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  235. ^ Leonard, Tom (July 9, 1999). "Postmortem: Thief: The Dark Project". Game Developer. Gamasutra: 1–4. ISSN 1073-922X. OCLC 29558874. Archived from the original on March 30, 2012. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
  236. ^ "Metal Gear Solid was ahead of its time". GamesIndustry.biz. September 25, 2018. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
  237. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 4 is an Inspiration to Crysis 2 Animator - Meodia". Archived from the original on July 1, 2010.
  238. ^ "MyCrysis | the Official Community Portal | Dev Corner Articles | Inside Crytek - Luke Kelly - Community Answers!". Archived from the original on April 27, 2010.
  239. ^ "The Last of Us 2 director explains its strict review embargo and sneaky trailers". GameRevolution. June 25, 2020. Archived from the original on July 3, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  240. ^ Wilde, Tyler (December 8, 2023). "Hideo Kojima announces OD with Jordan Peele: 'It is a game... but it's at the same time a movie, but at the same time a new form of media'". PC Gamer. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  241. ^ Parkinson, Matthew (March 19, 2018). "Top 10 Movies for Fans of Metal Gear Solid". Gameranx. Complex Media. Archived from the original on March 20, 2018. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
  242. ^ Franich, Darren (April 6, 2014). "The real, subversive politics of 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 27, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  243. ^ Crawford, Max (March 21, 2014). "Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) Movie Review". Eye for Film. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2019.
[edit]