You won’t find many video game franchises that are more popular and pivotal in history thanMetal Gear. The series began way back in 1987 and has given us some of themost memorable and emotional bits of video game lore. From an iconic protagonist Solid Snake to gripping plot twists to tense stealth action, it was all part of what madeMetal Gearlegendary.
But even the greatest franchises of all-time aren’t perfect. WhileMetal Gearis incredible when it’s at its best, there have been a few weak installments. These are the five best and the five worst games in series history.
10Worst - Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
Remember that just because a game is listed in the “worst” category, it doesn’t make it a bad one.Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroesis a good example of that. This felt like a different game in a good way at times. It avoided long cutscenes and huge boss battles, opting for a more realistic experience.
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The issue wasn’t related to gameplay but other aspects. The biggest complaint was that it didn’t feel like a whole game. Due to issues between Hideo Kojima and Konami,Metal Gear Solid Vwas split into two releases. That led to this, the first half, feeling incomplete with unfinished story threads. The game felt like a cash grab.
9Best - Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty
After the incredible success ofMetal Gear Solid, fans were eager for the sequel. It arrived on PlayStation 2 in late 2001 and stunned everyone. After controlling Solid Snake for the first hour or so, he is seemingly killed off and gamers were given a new protagonist named Raiden.
This kind of bait and switch upset plenty of fans at first. But that didn’t take away from how great this entry was. The new main character changed things up, while the stealth aspects were just as strong. The storyline is arguably the most complex in gaming history and you can’t help but be blown away by it.
8Worst - Metal Gear
It is the game that started it all. Released in 1987,Metal Gearwas a rousing success from a commercial standpoint as it surpassed 1 million units sold. Considering that this introduced us to one of the greatest video game characters of all time in Solid Snake, we still have a special place in our hearts forMetal Gear.
But just because something is notable doesn’t make it great. It’s far from a bad game but the franchise has such a high quality that something has to rank near the bottom. Most reviews were solid though it was criticized for a weak control system that limited the player.
7Best - Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Whatever problems folks had withMetal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroesseemed to be rectified byMetal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. The second half of the saga proved to be much more satisfying than the first. Just check out the sterling reviews it received.
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This game was awarded perfect scores by places likeIGN,Time, andGameSpot. It is considered by many to be the best stealth game in history. The story wasn’t as twisty as Kojima’s previous efforts but it was still highly engaging and the gameplay was incredible.
6Worst - Metal Gear Solid Mobile
The appeal to developing games for mobile devices is clear. The vast majority of the population own these devices and bringing games right to the palm of their hands sounds like a no brainer. But moving something as grand asMetal Gearto that platform can prove to be difficult.
Released in 2008, it came in a time before mobile games showed off their true potential. It was nice that the plot provided fans with something new for Solid Snake and worked as a nice little precursor toMetal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. There just wasn’t enough there to be considered a great game.
5Best - Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
The late 2000s saw a rise in the popularity of portable gaming. Systems like the PSP and Nintendo DS were huge. Konami got in on the action with severalMetal Geargames but it wasn’t untilMetal Gear Solid: Peace Walkerin 2010 that Hideo Kojima was directly involved.
It showed as this remains the most overlooked entry in the franchise. Many fans and critics noted that despite being released on a handheld system, the team behind it held nothing back. Some consider it to be one of the most important games in the franchise and it went down as arguably the best PSP game ever.
4Worst - Metal Gear Survive
If there is one consistent trend inMetal Geargames it’s that they are at their best when Hideo Kojima is behind them. After his departure from Konami in 2015, the company attempted to keep the series going withMetal Gear Survivein 2018. The idea was to tell a story that took place in between the twoMetal Gear Solid Ventries.
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Gameplay-wise, this wasn’t all that problematic. But it suffered in the departments where Kojima shined. We’re talking about the plot, characters, and cinematics. The lack of a great protagonist and overabundance of microtransactions were also met with heavy criticisms.
3Best - Metal Gear Solid
After nearly a decade without a new game, the franchise was reborn with 1998’sMetal Gear Solid. This was the one that changed it all. It made the series into a massive hit and turned Solid Snake into the iconic character that he is today. WithoutMetal Gear Solid, the world of video games would look a lot different.
Metal Gear Solidwas met with widespread acclaim, scoring perfect ratings inEGM,GamePro, andPlayStation Magazine. In terms of gameplay, scale, voice acting, and story, it was groundbreaking. It is one of the best and most important games in history.
2Worst - Snake’s Revenge
This makes it sound like theMetal Gearfranchise got off to a rough start. It wasn’t bad but there’s a major problem when a game is made without the input from the person who created it.Snake’s Revengewas made without involvement from series creator Hideo Kojima.
That meant it lacked some of the signature flair that madeMetal Gearwhat it is. Kojima released his own sequel later in the year and it was much more in line with the kind of stuff we’re used to from the series. This one was met with mostly average reviews at best.
1Best - Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Everything that Konami and Hideo Kojima had done with this series led to this. 2004’sMetal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eaterwas the pinnacle of the franchise. Working as a prequel that put you in the shoes of Big Boss, it managed to deliver a compelling tale that added just enough new gameplay elements to make it special.
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Almost everything about this game is universally loved. The epic boss battles, the unique jungle setting, the incredible score, and the gripping plot. It also set the tone for the numerous portable installments ofMetal Gearand other future games. It was just what we wanted from this game and so much more.
