Common questions about Metal Gear

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When was the original Metal Gear game released?

The original Metal Gear game was released in 1987 for the MSX2 computer platform in Japan. Hideo Kojima designed the game to force players to avoid combat entirely due to hardware limitations.

Who created the Metal Gear franchise and what was their role?

Hideo Kojima created the Metal Gear franchise while working as a young designer at Konami. He abandoned chaotic shooter mechanics to craft a stealth experience where players control a rookie operative named Solid Snake.

What is the chronological starting point of the Metal Gear story timeline?

The Metal Gear story begins chronologically in 1964 with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. This game features a young operative named Naked Snake tasked with eliminating his mentor The Boss after she defects to the Soviet Union.

When was Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty released and what was its main twist?

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was released in November 2001. The game features a twist where the player controls Solid Snake before being replaced by a new protagonist named Raiden.

When did Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots conclude the original saga?

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots concluded the original Metal Gear saga in 2008. The game follows an aging soldier known as Old Snake fighting against the remnants of the Patriots AI system.

How many units has the Metal Gear franchise sold to date?

The Metal Gear franchise has sold over 63.3 million units. This sales figure makes it one of the most successful and influential video game series of all time.