Metal Gear Ranked: The Top Games In The Metal Gear Saga
wonder if Hideo Kojima ever knew how big a franchise Metal Gear would become. After 7 games, the series continues to chug on whether people want it or not and each iteration always ends up being a stellar addition. But which one is the best of the best? Which game provided the ultimate all-around Metal Gear experience? GameBlurb presents: Metal Gear Ranked. There’s one simple rule: All of the games on the list must be canon to series, so don’t expect Acid or Ghost Babel to be here.
7. Metal Gear 1/Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
I decided to put these two games together. There is no doubt that Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2 are the games that started it all. In a time when cartridges were filled with a simple goal of shooting everything up into pieces, Hideo Kojima stepped up on the plate and pitched a vision in which the players would sneak past their opponents rather than charge in head-on. It was a revolutionary idea for its time and with Konami taking the risk, Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake were born. Even with its limited hardware on the MSX, Kojima was still able to provide the concoction that all preceding Metal Gear Games would use as well a character and story that would stretch far into the 21st century. If you have a copy Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, you owe to yourself to check these games out; they are still fun even to this day.
6. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
When Metal Gear Solid 2 was shown at the 2000 Electronic Entertainment Expo, the crowd erupted into excitement. A sequel to one of the biggest PlayStation One games on the new PlayStation 2? Who wouldn’t be? The game sported amazing visuals and cinematic experiences that were completely ahead of its time. Seeing Solid Snake plunge himself onto an offshore tanker with the rain and wind pattering on Snake’s leather ass was truly a sight to behold….
Okay, maybe I went a bit too far.
But in all seriousness, the game improved on almost every aspect from its predecessor and introduced a first person perspective to the game. Now you could hide in lockers, shimmy across rails, roll into your enemies, seduce them with magazines; the various combinations were just amusingly awesome. Unfortunately, many fans have looked at this game as the black sheep of the franchise due to a convoluted storyline and the unexpected character replacement a quarter of a way through the game: Raiden. No one wanted to play as a whining boy with his girlfriend complaining over a codec. Raiden is in a life or death situation and all you can think about is how he may not like your cooking?
Sheesh, women.
As much as people may dislike the game, you cannot ignore the evolution it had brought among the stealth genre. This was the same generation where Splinter Cell also made it’s debut. Without this game, we may not have ever seen the spectacular sequels Kojima conjured up after.
5. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops
Not many people have played this game and it’s a darn shame. The game took most of the best aspects of the Metal Gear Solid franchise and put it on the go. It developed a decent plot that foreshadowed the future of Big Boss and Metal Gear. Majority of the gameplay elements of the console made its way to the handheld and it was a perfect substitute for all those who were waiting for Metal Gear Solid 4 to make its epic release.
4. Metal Gear Solid
If it were not for this game, not many of you would even know that this franchise existed. While there were a few stealth action games out during the time, it was this very game that put “Tactical Espionage Action” onto the map. Add to the fact that it also provided a staple in cinematic storytelling and you’ve got a timeless classic that you can play to this day. From the cleverly designed Psycho Mantis battle to the final escape out of Shadow Moses Island, Metal Gear Solid can’t be denied as a genre breakthrough. Some may feel I put this too low on the list and I can agree with you; it’s a game that probably deserves more praise than any other on this list. But look at it this way, this gripping action thriller paved the way for even greater games.
3. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of The Patriots
Metal Gear Solid 4 is the perfect example of how to wrap a long-running franchise as well as become the ultimate fan tribute. Almost every question that was left to be answered was finally brought to a close; no longer would we be scratching our heads over all the events that transpired over the years. It took the best from every game and set it to perfection. The controls were streamlined and updated for this generation, the octocamo was much more versatile and simplified to use, and the whole urban warfare scene placed players in a whole new experience in espionage action. Sure, there are many who have complained that there’s way more cinema than gameplay but I never had any issue with it. After years and years of waiting, I was not disappointed with the game and love it to death. I can’t go into the fact how many times I’ve replayed the game and it never gets old. To this day, I still pop it in and play it on a regular basis.
2. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
As much as I love Metal Gear Solid 4, I have to admit that I felt fonder for its prequel. How can I say that when I just praised how perfect the sequel was? It all really comes down to one main key: the story. Metal Gear Solid 3 has the best synopsis among any other in the series. It sent players back to the past to a time when everything seemed much more simple (and being simple in the Metal Gear universe is pretty hard to accomplish). It wasn’t just about a crisis during the Cold War, but a story of two very well developed characters that had a strong connection with each other. The relationship between The Boss and Naked Snake is one that is unrivaled, a bond that no one could really understand except for the two soldiers themselves. It was this very connection that made this game become one of the most memorable in the series. Top that with more a “tactical guerrilla espionage” gameplay style, a CQC system that made shooting a gun look like it was for kids, Metal Gear Solid 3 is honestly the better game.
1. Metal Gear Solid: Peacewalker
While I may get some rage for picking this game as the best of all in the series, hear me out. While Metal Gear Solid 3 may have the best story in the series and Metal Gear Solid 4 carries the perfection on gameplay, Peacewalker took the best of both worlds and put it onto a handheld. Sure, the visuals may not be as pretty as 4, but for a PSP game they are pretty damn good. You’ve got a Big Boss who is still looking for closure about his mentor, a conspiracy of epic proportions and the catalyst for everything that comes afterwards. The game has just about everything that you would find a Metal Gear game and just packs so much more: various side missions, recruiting soldiers to Outer Heaven to send out to, and even building your own Metal Gear. What other game in the series lets you do that? As I’ve said over and over again, Metal Gear Solid: Peacewalker should be known as Metal Gear Solid 5.
*This editorial was reviewed by Grace Zhang before submission. Thanks!
TAGS: editorial, metal gear, top list
20 Comments
Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see.
Poorly-rated. Like or Dislike:
2 
8
I had a few issues with the cinematics in The Twin Snakes, but the gameplay mechanics transitioned well from MGS2 to the remake. Kitumura (The cinematic director of The Twin Snakes) has an over the top style and uses bullet time a lot. Originally he planned on sticking to how the first game was but Kojima didn’t like that.
If you’re ever interested you should check out Kitumura’s Versus movie. It’s crazy awesome.
Otherwise, our list isn’t that much of difference =)
Like or Dislike:
1 
1
My list would also have MGS4, 3 and Peacewalker all in the top 3. Except mine would be 4 in no.1, 3 in 2 and Peacewalker in 3. I actually never finished Peacewalker…
Like or Dislike:
1 
3
BAY Y U NO FINISH PEACEWALKER?
Like or Dislike:
2 
1
Seconded…
Like or Dislike:
1 
1
I actually don’t remember, haha. I think it had to do with the controls/structure of the game. I wasn’t a big fan of the “select a mission” structure.
Like or Dislike:
0 
2
I would have gone with;
4.Peacewalker
3. MGS4
2. MGS3
1. MGS2
Although Peacewalker is great, it bridges the gap between Ops and Metal gear 1, and I really didn’t think the gap needed to be filled in any further. MG3 is the most fun to play, but should have been called PRE-MGS so people know it’s the start of the storyline. MGS4 rocked, but I’ve only beaten it once. I’ve just too many games to play to get back to MGS4. MGS2 rocked with Raiden’s sword controls and I was excited Raiden was in 4, but you couldn’t play as him. Looking forward to RISING.
Like or Dislike:
1 
2
Did you make sure to play the secret chapter that completely bridges the whole game and gives you the most shocking twist ever? most people don’t know about it =(.
Like or Dislike:
0 
1
Joking or no!?
Like or Dislike:
0 
1
I’m serious. If you saw the end it said “to be continued” in chapter something outer heaven. That’s in the game.
Like or Dislike:
0 
1
Well, time to juice up the PSP again!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
If you were a true MGS fan you would have ventured onto MGO2 that came with MGS4. You can be Raiden in that. He’s a cheap ass character to begin with. Ruined the whole series. Now he gets his own little spin off. Great.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I have to be honest I didn’t play any of the psp games so I can’t judge those games.
But as far as the other (playstation) titles go.. (I’m leaving the old titles out, I know they we’re/are great but these other games are just better)
4th place: Metal Gear Solid 4 in my opinion one of the most overrated games amongst the MGS titles. Don’t get me wrong I absolutely loved the story, I think they tied all the loose ends in quite nicely.
But as far as atmosphere goes… I didn’t like it because you we’re traveling from one place to another (james bond style). The boss battles weren’t that good as in other MGS games.What I liked with snake eater and solid is that you had one place. And you were there all alone. Maybe you got some help but for the most part you were alone. Because this game is taking place at so many different places I really couldn’t get into it that much. (it’s a personal thing I know, still I hope some of you agree with me on this)
3rd place: Sons of Liberty. I loved the beginning (with snake) and I did enjoy the second part with Raiden but not quite as much. The story was at moments just to rediculous. And I wish you could just skip the calls from Rose. Those we’re so incredible tedious.
2nd place: Snake Eater.. This was a close one because I really, really enjoyed snake eater. I really liked that they focused on the history of Solid Snake, Big Boss etc. I really liked the setting as well as the boss fights. I loved that you are all alone in the jungle. And that you get to know some people but you aren’t really sure if you can trust them. I like the varied environments.
1st place: Metal Gear Solid PSX this game is absolutely amazing; the characters, the boss battles, the environment (i love that environment), the whole atmosphere of the game (thanks to the night setting, as it should be in stealth games). I finished this game around 25 times just because the characters are so well developed and the pacing and surprising twists in the story make this my nr.1 Metal Gear title.
Like or Dislike:
2 
1
To this day, MGS1 is still playable in its form and it’s aged really well. Thanks for your thoughts! Really appreciate other people’s opinions.
Like or Dislike:
1 
1
i defn8ly need 2get me a psp. MGS PW is the perfect reason 2get 1. I heard MGS PO wasn’t tht good…so does that mean after im done playing PW, i should play PO? Or can you play them in any order?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Wait for the PSP2…having a handful of useless UMDs is already irritating me.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I would say if you are really interested play PO and then Peacewalker. Hopefully you’ve already play MGS3. You’ll have a great experience that way.
Like or Dislike:
0 
1
My favorite part of the series is the humor, I crack up every time I make snake jack it in a locker!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Great list.
I just purchased HD Collection and am looking forward to having some fun!
I do wish that MGS 1 was included…I think it may very well be the best of them all.
I am about to have a blast!
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
I would also say that anyone who says Sons of Liberty is a failure is an absolute, colossal moron. Not only is it the highest rated Metal Gear Solid game of all time (Metacritic), but most people who bash it were praising it, calling it the greatest game ever, shortly after it’s release. People are morons.
Oh, and it is the highest rated PS2 game of all time (Metacritic), and the 5th highest rated GAME of all time (Metacritic).
So choke on that, fools.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty smashes every single MGS game to pieces, and stands ALONE as THE video game event of a LIFETIME.
Like or Dislike:
1 
2