Few video game franchises can claim to be as revolutionary and groundbreaking as the Metal Gear Solid one. Since the first game’s release in 1998 its cinematography and voice acting has paved the way for games to become as big and beautiful as they are today. At times it is hard to believe the first Metal Gear Solid game was initially on the original PlayStation.

And for many years, that is where it remained. Until now, as the shackles have been removed and the franchise is brought onto modern consoles. Alongside some stellar sequels and a whole bunch of extras, the METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1 is out today on Xbox Series X, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Snake?! Snaaaaake!

Whilst we could wax lyrical about the first game until the cows come home, the offerings in the collection are pretty substantial. Here is the full list of games in Volume 1:

• Metal Gear
• Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
• Metal Gear Solid (Including VR Missions/Special Missions)
• Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (HD Collection version)
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (HD Collection version)
• Metal Gear (NES/FC version)
• Snake’s Revenge

And that’s not all. There are soundtracks, graphic novels, screenplays and more included:

• Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel
• Metal Gear Solid 2: Digital Graphic Novel
• Metal Gear Solid: Digital Soundtrack
• Metal Gear Solid: Screenplay Book
• Metal Gear Solid: Master Book
• Metal Gear Solid 2: Screenplay Book
• Metal Gear Solid 2: Master Book
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Screenplay Book
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Master Book
• Metal Gear & Metal Gear 2: Screenplay Book
• Metal Gear & Metal Gear 2: Master Book

Solid Snake is reborn

Volume 1 is shaping up to be a perfect compilation for old and new fans alike. And with the subtitle of Volume 1, I think it would be fair to assume that a Volume 2 is not far behind containing other Metal Gear Solid games that have never before been released on Xbox. And most likely the ones that did too, looking at you Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain.

The timeline of Metal Gear can be a confusing one, but in this package you have the origins of Solid Snake in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, as well as his first official outing in Metal Gear. The franchise that popularised stealth gameplay and proved that games can be just as cinematic as films is not one to be missed, and this compilation offers the perfect time to experience it for the first time.

If you still need convincing after all that, then our review will be coming very soon to help you decide one way or the other.

Buy now!

METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1 is on the Xbox Store now priced at £49.99, but you can also pick and choose which titles you want. Individual titles can be purchased separately:

• Metal Gear Solid – Master Collection Version – £15.98
• Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – £15.98
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – £15.98

Let us know in the comments if you will be picking one or all of them up, and keep an eye out for our review(s)! Just don’t expect to be playing this on Xbox One. You’re looking at current gen Xbox consoles only.

Game Description

The origin of stealth action returns. METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol. 1 unifies the beginning of the METAL GEAR gameplay experience in one single package. Infiltrate enemy fortresses all over the globe, complete your missions with stealth and experience the thrilling cinematic story of the METAL GEAR series. Volume 1 line-up features the original titles and beginning of the METAL GEAR series, including the original versions of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid (which also includes VR Missions/Special Missions), and the HD Collection versions of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Each main title in the line-up will also include an exclusive digital Screenplay Book and Master Book that details the story and characters in that game. This collection includes the classic versions of the games, complete with only minimal edits to copyrighted contents. Those who purchase Volume 1 will also have access to a variety of bonus content including the two regional versions of Metal Gear, the original version of Snake’s Revenge, the first and second Digital Graphic Novels in video form, and a digital soundtrack.