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Six Metal Gear games stand out as masterpieces for different reasons: Metal Gear Solid made cinematic 3D stealth a console event, Metal Gear Solid 2 pushed the series into formally daring territory, and later entries reshaped survival, mission design, or player freedom. “10/10” is an editorial verdict, not a shared score; the critic Metascores below offer one useful point of comparison, not a definitive ranking.
How to read the scores and choose a starting point
Metacritic’s Metascore combines professional critics’ reviews on a 0–100 scale. These figures are attached to particular releases and can change as the service updates its data. They are not individual perfect review scores, nor do they cover every early game: Metacritic notes that the oldest entries predate its coverage. Metacritic’s franchise guide and the relevant game pages provide score context.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance | $16.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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METAL GEAR SOLID | MASTER COLLECTION Vol. 2 - Nintendo Switch | $45.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 - PS5 | $33.59 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol 1 [GRA PS4]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ORg2BygsL._SL160_.jpg)
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Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol 1 [GRA PS4] | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
The six selections below balance critical reception with meaningful differences in design. For a first game, Metal Gear Solid is the clearest foundation; choose Snake Eater for survival-focused stealth, Peace Walker for compact missions and base-building, or The Phantom Pain for open-ended tactical play. Guns of the Patriots is most rewarding when you already know the Solid Snake storyline.
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Six Metal Gear games that merit masterpiece status
1. Metal Gear Solid (1998) — the defining 3D stealth adventure
Metal Gear Solid translated the series’ stealth premise into a major 3D console adventure, combining room-by-room infiltration with cinematic storytelling. Its influence is part of its legacy, but the game remains compelling on its own: watching guard patterns, using the environment, and choosing when to avoid or confront enemies are central to its rhythm.
#1 Best Overall
- Rising's stealth elements will emphasize Raiden's considerable speed and agility through what Matsuyama describes as "hunting stealth."
- Gameplay will focus on two key elements: swordfighting, and a style of stealth that is more fast-paced and action-oriented.
- "Cutting" entails sophisticated swordplay that lets players engage in third person melee combat, as well as precisely slash enemies and objects "at will" along a geometrical plane using a "free slicing" mode.
Critic Metascore: 94 for the 1998 release, according to Metacritic. It is the natural entry point for players who want to see the series’ modern console identity take shape.
2. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001) — a sequel willing to take risks
Sons of Liberty builds on the first game’s stealth-action framework while taking conspicuous formal and narrative risks. Its story has divided players, but that ambition is precisely why it remains a distinctive sequel rather than a safe repeat. The high critic score reflects its strong reception, not universal agreement about its story.
Critic Metascore: 96 for the 2001 release, according to Metacritic. Play it after the first Metal Gear Solid if you want the clearest context for its turns.
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3. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004) — stealth shaped by survival
Set in the 1960s, Snake Eater is a prequel that shifts the feel of infiltration. Camouflage, hunting, and healing make the surrounding wilderness part of the challenge: staying hidden is not just about timing patrols, but also about managing the conditions that let Snake keep moving. That survival layer gives the game a different texture from the earlier, more room-based entries.
Rank #2
- GAME LIST: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version), Metal Gear: Ghost Babel. Versions for other regions of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version) can be downloaded separately from the store. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker supports online play for up to 6 players.
- DIGITAL BOOKS: Metal Gear Solid 4: Screenplay Book, Metal Gear Solid 4: Master Book, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Screenplay Book, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Master Book. All are accessible via the in-game Start Menu.
- METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1 SAVE-DATA BONUS*: If a user has saved data for any title included in METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1, you can receive in-game items usable in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version) respectively. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Bonus: Gold Camouflage. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version) Bonus: GOLD Uniform.
Critic Metascore: 91 for the PlayStation 2 release. Metacritic’s game page identifies the PS2 release date as November 17, 2004, and bases the score on 68 critic reviews. See the Metacritic listing for Snake Eater.
If you prefer a modern remake, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is a separate remake of the 2004 game, not the original release. Which version is right for you depends on whether you want the original or a remake experience.
4. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008) — a cinematic close to Solid Snake’s saga
Guns of the Patriots brings Solid Snake’s story to a conclusion through stealth-action sequences and large set pieces. Its cinematic presentation is part of the appeal, though the lengthy film-like storytelling can also be a drawback if you want gameplay to dominate. The emotional and plot payoff lands best for players familiar with earlier chapters of Snake’s story.
Critic Metascore: 94 for the 2008 release, as listed on Metacritic’s franchise ranking. Treat it as a continuation and culmination, not the ideal first taste of the series.
Rank #3
- Title Lineup: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
- Video: Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel, Metal Gear Solid 2: Digital Graphic Novel
- Digital book: 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
- Soundtrack: Metal Gear Solid: Digital Soundtrack
5. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010) — focused missions with a growing base
Designed for PSP, Peace Walker organizes play into shorter missions and adds co-op, boss encounters, and base development. That structure makes it feel different from the continuous campaign of the main console entries: missions can be tackled in focused sessions, while developing the base connects those individual operations into a larger progression. It also bridges the story toward Metal Gear Solid V.
Critic Metascore: 89 for the 2010 release, according to Metacritic. PlayStation Universe reviewer Adam Dolge described it as “an ambitious PSP game, and a worthy follow-up to previous entries.”
6. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015) — the most open-ended stealth sandbox
The Phantom Pain gives players broad open areas, repeatable objectives, and multiple ways to approach missions. Its player-directed stealth sandbox is the series’ strongest choice for experimentation and replay: scouting, equipment, routes, and timing can all change how an operation unfolds. The trade-off is narrative completeness; critics often found its story incomplete or unsatisfying.
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Critic Metascore: 93 for the 2015 release, according to Metacritic. Choose it for tactical freedom rather than a tightly paced, self-contained story.
Rank #4
- Title Lineup: 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
- Video: Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel, Metal Gear Solid 2: Digital Graphic Novel
- Digital book: 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
- Soundtrack: Metal Gear Solid: Digital Soundtrack
- 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.
How the six differ in play and story
| Game | Core appeal | Structure and story fit |
| Metal Gear Solid | Influential 3D, room-based stealth and cinematic storytelling | Strong starting point for the modern console series |
| Sons of Liberty | Formal experimentation and a divisive narrative | Best contextualized by playing the first Metal Gear Solid |
| Snake Eater | Camouflage, hunting, and survival systems | 1960s prequel; a distinct setting and survival emphasis |
| Guns of the Patriots | Stealth-action set pieces and cinematic storytelling | Conclusion to Solid Snake’s saga; benefits most from prior story knowledge |
| Peace Walker | Short missions, co-op, boss encounters, and base development | Mission-based format; narrative bridge toward The Phantom Pain |
| The Phantom Pain | Open-area stealth and multiple tactical approaches | Repeatable objectives and player freedom; story often considered incomplete |
Where to play them: check the exact collection and platform
Do not assume one purchase includes all six. Konami’s archived page for the Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection lists Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, Metal Gear Solid 4, and Peace Walker, plus two digital graphic-novel works and a 100-page booklet. The page lists PlayStation 3 as its platform and July 11, 2013 as its Japanese release date; it does not establish current stock or availability on other platforms. Konami’s archived Legacy Collection page.
A TechRadar review first published in August 2026 discusses Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2 as containing Metal Gear Solid 4, Peace Walker, and Metal Gear: Ghost Babel. For its tested PS5 version, the review reports MGS4 at 4K/60 fps and notes that Peace Walker retains PSP-era assets. Those are observations about the reviewed version, not a guarantee for every platform or region. Read the TechRadar review.
Before buying, confirm the exact volume, platform, region, and edition, then check current availability. The collections’ contents differ, and the Legacy Collection listing is historical rather than a live inventory statement.
Quick Recap
Which one should you play first?
- For a clear introduction: start with Metal Gear Solid, then play Sons of Liberty if its narrative experimentation appeals to you.
- For survival mechanics and a prequel setting: choose Snake Eater; select Delta only if you specifically want the remake rather than the original.
- For shorter sessions and co-op: choose Peace Walker, keeping in mind its PSP-era origins and mission-based format.
- For maximum tactical freedom: choose The Phantom Pain, accepting that its story may feel incomplete.
- For Solid Snake’s story payoff: save Guns of the Patriots until you have played the earlier relevant chapters.
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.
