WhileHideo Kojima’smost recent work is the polarizing & uniqueDeath Stranding, the auteur game designer became a household name with his seminalMetal Gearfranchise. The first release came out in 1987, but it did not reach mainstream gaming audiences until the series' first 3D outing, 1998’sMetal Gear Solid.
Related:10 Things You Didn’t Realize Happened Between Metal Gear Solid V And The Original Metal Gear
The following list will rank all the games in the series based on Metacritic score. The first two entries do not have scores on the site, but they are still playable on relatively modern hardware throughMetal Gear Solid 3:Subsistence. One should also note how low the games Kojima didn’t work on rank.
16Metal Gear Survive (62)
After Kojima’s exodus from the publisher, Konami decided to turn the next entry into azombiesurvival adventure. Repetitive gameplay and its complete disregard for theMetal Gearcanon were cited as reasons for its critical and commercial failure. Fans now wonder if the series will ever return to its roots.
15Portable Ops Plus (65)
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Opshad an impressive multiplayer mode for the PSP. This standalone expansion did not come with the base game’s single-player, instead focusing on expanding the competitive modes. As extensive as multiplayer is, most are into the series for the story, making this title irrelevant for many.
14Metal Gear AC!D (75)
The first PSPMetal Geargame was an unexpected endeavor.AC!Deschews traditionalstealthgameplay for a card-driven turn-based strategy game. It is non-canon, but still a nice, worthwhile diversion for any fan of the series. The turn-based gameplay makes the often difficult PSP controls a non-issue.
13Metal Gear AC!D 2 (80)
Thesequelto thespin-offtightened up the predecessor’s gameplay while also adding a plethora of bonus content. The gimmick behind this one were the 3D glasses which allowed for 3D gaming on the portable system in addition to watching some cutscenes fromMetal Gear Solid 3, and some steamier videos.
12Ground Zeroes (80)
Many criticized this game’sshort lengthand comparatively high price tag. While it is a justifiable complaint, doing everything this prologue to thePhantom Painhas to offer still takes between fifteen and twenty hours, which certainly is not bad for even a full-priced game.
11Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (83)
Platinum Gamescompletely changed up the formula while still retaining all the zaniness and narrative intrigue that made the series so beloved. While the campaign is short, it begs for multiple playthroughs in a similar manner to other games from the studio. The Zandatsu mechanic also differentiates Raiden’s adventure from other character action games.
10Twin Snakes (85)
ThisGameCubeexclusive remake ofMetal Gear Solidtakes the same level design from the original but updates the graphics and gives Snake all his skills fromMetal Gear Solid 2. Some also bemoaned the new cinematics, which feature the characters accomplishing jaw-droppingly unrealistic feats of athleticism.
9Portable Ops (87)
The first canon entry on thePSPwas a follow up toSnake Eater, taking place in 1970. The series first toyed with character and equipment progression inPortable Ops, ideas which which would later be expanded upon inPeace WalkerandThe Phantom Pain.
Related:10 Most Emotional Moments In The Metal Gear Solid Franchise
The major gripe most had with it was the unruly controls, thanks to the PSP’s lack of dual analog sticks. Unfortunately, no console re-release exists of this PSPexclusive.
8Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance (87)
WhileMetal Gear Solid 2: Substanceadds plenty to the original release, little of it lives up to the original game’s campaign. The major reason to own this over the base release is Snake Tales, original non-canon scenarios which use the characters and environments to tell wildly interesting stories. The VR missions also provide hours of content for those wanting more gameplay.
7Peace Walker (89)
Peace Walkerslowed down the pace of the gameplay and made the levels smaller in order to accommodate the PSP’s button layout. It also featured the biggestMetal Gearcampaign at the time with its numerous side quests. The story also leads directly intoGround ZeroesandThe Phantom Pain.
