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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallStart with Metal Gear Solid (1998) if you want to follow Kojima’s best-known stealth saga as audiences first encountered it. Continue with Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, then Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. If you would rather begin with a separate, more contemporary adventure, choose Death Stranding Director’s Cut. There is no single mandatory first Kojima game: the right pick depends on whether you want a long-running series or a standalone starting point.
What Hideo Kojima game should you play first?
This is a newcomer-focused shortlist, not an objective ranking of every game Kojima has worked on. It weighs how clearly a title introduces his work, how much prior series knowledge helps, and whether it makes sense as a first step. Kojima’s credits span more than the games below, and association with a franchise is not the same as a specific creative credit.
| Rank | Game | Best for | Why it fits—or does not fit—as a first game |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metal Gear Solid (1998) | Players who want the core Metal Gear Solid story in release order | The clearest default for following the series’ reveals as originally presented. It is an older PS1 game, not a modern remake. |
| 2 | Death Stranding Director’s Cut | Players who want a separate setting and a connection-focused adventure | A viable entry without starting a long-running Metal Gear storyline. It begins the Death Stranding story; play it before its sequel. |
| 3 | Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater or Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater | Players drawn to the earliest point in the Metal Gear timeline, especially those who prefer newer presentation | The original is a chronological starting point. Delta remakes its story, but beginning here changes the order of the series’ reveals. |
| 4 | Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty | Players who have finished Metal Gear Solid | It is the next release-order game and a direct follow-up; its shift in focus is part of the experience. |
| 5 | Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain | Players who prioritize open-ended, systems-driven stealth | A reasonable choice for that style of play, but not the recommended doorway into the Metal Gear Solid story. |
| 6 | Death Stranding 2: On the Beach | Players who have already played the original Death Stranding | It continues the same world and characters, so it is not the recommended first purchase. |
The ranking reflects those newcomer-focused criteria, not a claim that one game is universally better than another. A highly regarded sequel or finale can still be a poor first choice if its story depends on earlier games.
Should you start with Metal Gear Solid or Death Stranding?
Choose Metal Gear Solid for a connected saga
If you want Kojima’s best-known stealth series and care about encountering its story in its original release sequence, start with Metal Gear Solid (1998). Push Square’s Metal Gear collection guide recommends release order for a cohesive first run: Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, then Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. The guide also says the two original Metal Gear games are optional for a newcomer prioritizing accessibility.
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- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
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For a purchase route covering those three games, the guide identifies Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1. It describes the collection’s Metal Gear Solid as the original PS1 version, with its original audio, visuals, and design—not a remaster. The guide dates to 2023, so check the current product listing, platform support, and edition contents in your region before buying.
Choose Death Stranding for a separate starting point
Death Stranding Director’s Cut offers a different setting and story, rather than requiring you to begin with Metal Gear. Kojima Productions describes the original game as a journey to reconnect a divided world. Its March 31, 2025 announcement said that more than 20 million porters had been “connected” across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC, Xbox, iOS, and Amazon Luna. That is the studio’s cross-platform connected-porters figure, not a stated number of copies sold.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The same announcement listed the original game as launched on November 8, 2019, and said Director’s Cut was available on PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, Epic, iOS, and Amazon Luna at that time. Availability can change, so check the current store listing for your platform and region.
Do you need to play Metal Gear in chronological order?
No. For a first run, release order is the clearer choice if you want the story’s revelations in the order players first encountered them. That means starting with Metal Gear Solid, not with the earliest events in the characters’ timeline.
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- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Chronological order begins with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. That is a valid choice if timeline order matters more to you than release-order reveals. There is also a presentation choice: play the original Snake Eater, or consider Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, a remake of its story. Tom’s Guide calls Delta an excellent entry point; treating its story as self-contained is a useful editorial assessment, not a studio-mandated route. Starting with the remake still changes the experience of encountering the wider saga in release order.
Can you play Death Stranding 2 first?
You can choose to, but it is better to play the original Death Stranding first. Kojima Productions’ official product page describes Sam and his companions setting out on a new mission beyond the UCA, and identifies the game as Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. The sequel announcement also frames it around returning characters and asks, “should we have connected?” That makes the original the more useful starting point for the story and characters.
Rank #4
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- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
The product page lists PlayStation 5 and Windows PC. Check it for current platform information rather than assuming a release on another system.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which route fits your priorities?
- You want the Metal Gear story in release order: Metal Gear Solid → Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty → Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.
- You want to begin with a separate adventure: Start with Death Stranding Director’s Cut, then play Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
- You want the earliest point in the Metal Gear timeline: Begin with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater; consider Delta if newer presentation is your priority.
- You mainly want open-ended stealth systems: Consider Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, while recognizing that it is not the recommended introduction to the saga.
Kojima’s independent-studio period began with Death Stranding. In a June 13, 2016 Sony Interactive Entertainment announcement, Kojima, identified as Game Designer at Kojima Productions, said: “Today I am very excited to be able to deliver this teaser trailer of DEATH STRANDING, which marks a fresh new start for Kojima Productions.”
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- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
