The Most Popular Metal Gear Game, Ranked

Choose the game you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on Apr 19, 2024 07:19
In the intricate world of video games, few series have woven such complex narratives and thrilling stealth mechanics as the Metal Gear series. Each installment delivers a unique blend of storytelling and gameplay, capturing the hearts of countless fans across the globe. However, with so many great titles to choose from, it can be a challenge to pinpoint which game stands out the most among players. By casting your vote on your favored Metal Gear game, you not only engage with a community of like-minded enthusiasts but also help newcomers identify which game might best suit their tastes. A live ranking driven by your votes paints a clear picture of overall preferences, giving every fan a voice in celebrating the series' best moments. So, dive in, cast your vote, and see where your favorites stack up against others.

What Is the Most Popular Metal Gear Game?

  1. 1
    68
    votes
    This game is often considered the best in the series, with its innovative stealth gameplay, engaging story, and memorable characters. It also introduced the franchise's iconic protagonist, Solid Snake.
    Metal Gear Solid (1998) is a stealth action game developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Japan. It is the third installment in the Metal Gear series and is widely considered one of the most popular and influential games in the franchise. The game follows the story of Solid Snake, a special forces operative, as he infiltrates a nuclear weapons facility to neutralize a terrorist threat.
    • Modes: Single-player
    • Platform: PlayStation
    • Genre: Stealth action
    • Release Date: September 3, 1998
    • Perspective: Third-person
  2. 2
    26
    votes
    This game is often praised for its rich storyline, complex characters, and open-world gameplay. It also introduced several gameplay mechanics, such as camouflage and hunting, that would become staples of the series.
    Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is a critically acclaimed stealth action video game. It serves as a prequel to the original Metal Gear game. The game is set in the Cold War era and follows the protagonist, Naked Snake, as he embarks on a mission to rescue a Soviet scientist and uncover a conspiracy. It offers a compelling storyline with deep character development and intense gameplay.
    • Release Date: 2004
    • Platform: PlayStation 2
    • Genre: Stealth Action
    • Playtime: Approximately 15-20 hours
    • Game Modes: Single-player
  3. 3
    20
    votes
    This game is notable for its philosophical themes, intricate plot, and improved gameplay mechanics. It also introduced a new protagonist, Raiden, who received mixed reactions from fans.
    Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001) is an action-adventure stealth game developed and published by Konami. It is the fourth installment in the Metal Gear series and a direct sequel to Metal Gear Solid. The game follows the protagonist, Solid Snake, as he infiltrates a facility to uncover a terrorist plot known as the 'Sons of Liberty.'
    • Platform: PlayStation 2, Xbox, Microsoft Windows
    • Release Date: November 13, 2001 (PS2), March 3, 2002 (Xbox), March 7, 2003 (Windows)
    • Genre: Action-adventure, stealth
    • Single-player: Yes
    • Multiplayer: Online multiplayer mode
  4. 4
    21
    votes
    This game marked the end of Solid Snake's story arc and tied up many loose ends in the series' lore. It also introduced new gameplay mechanics, such as the OctoCamo system and the ability to purchase weapons and items.
  5. 5
    20
    votes
    This game is often praised for its open-world gameplay, customizable base, and improved combat mechanics. It also introduced a new protagonist, Venom Snake, who is revealed to be a clone of Big Boss.
    Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is an action-adventure stealth game developed by Kojima Productions and published by Konami. It is the fifth main installment in the Metal Gear Solid series and was released in 2015. The game takes place in an open world environment and follows the story of Venom Snake, a mercenary leader trying to exact revenge on those who destroyed his forces and his home. The Phantom Pain combines stealth gameplay elements with a complex narrative and features a vast range of missions and activities for players to explore.
    • Platform: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
    • Release Date: September 1, 2015
    • Genre: Action-adventure, Stealth
    • Mode(s): Single-player, Multiplayer
    • Engine: Fox Engine
  6. 6
    5
    votes
    This game was originally released for the PSP and later remastered for the PS3 and Xbox 360. It introduced co-op gameplay and base-building mechanics, which would be expanded upon in The Phantom Pain. It also featured a storyline that bridged the gap between Metal Gear Solid 3 and 4.
    Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is an action-adventure stealth video game developed by Kojima Productions and published by Konami. It was released in 2010 for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and later re-released for the PlayStation 3 (PS3) as part of the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. The game follows the story of Big Boss, who forms a mercenary group called Militaires Sans Frontières (Soldiers Without Borders) and leads them in a series of missions set in Costa Rica during the Cold War.
    • Genre: Action-adventure stealth
    • Platform: PlayStation Portable (PSP), PlayStation 3 (PS3)
    • Release Year: 2010
    • Developer: Kojima Productions
    • Publisher: Konami
  7. 7
    9
    votes
    This game was also released for the PSP and focused on the story of Naked Snake (aka Big Boss) between the events of Metal Gear Solid 3 and Peace Walker. It introduced several new gameplay mechanics, such as recruiting soldiers and building a squad.
    Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops is a stealth-action game developed by Konami and released in 2006 for the PlayStation Portable (PSP). Set in the Metal Gear universe, the game follows the story of Naked Snake (also known as Big Boss) as he recruits soldiers and builds up his own army in order to stop a rogue group from launching a nuclear strike. Portable Ops features a mix of third-person stealth gameplay, tactical elements, and a captivating single-player campaign as well as multiplayer modes. The game offers a unique emphasis on recruiting and managing soldiers for missions, providing a strategic twist to the typically secretive nature of Metal Gear games.
    • Platform: PlayStation Portable (PSP)
    • Genre: Stealth-action
    • Release Year: 2006
    • Publisher: Konami
    • Single-player: Yes
  8. 8
    8
    votes
    This game is a remake of the original Metal Gear Solid for the GameCube, featuring improved graphics, sound, and gameplay mechanics. It also included several new cutscenes and additions to the storyline.
    Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (2004) is a remastered version of the original Metal Gear Solid game released in 1998 for the PlayStation. It was developed by Silicon Knights and published by Konami for the Nintendo GameCube. The game retains the same story and gameplay mechanics as the original, but features updated graphics, improved audio, and enhanced gameplay elements.
    • Platform: Nintendo GameCube
    • Genre: Stealth action
    • Developer: Silicon Knights
    • Publisher: Konami
    • Release Year: 2004
  9. 9
    6
    votes
    This game serves as a prologue to The Phantom Pain and features an open-world environment and several new gameplay mechanics. It also introduced the character of Skull Face, who would become a major antagonist in The Phantom Pain.
    Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes is an action-adventure stealth video game released in 2014. It serves as a prologue to Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. The game follows the protagonist, Snake, as he infiltrates a secret military base to rescue two prisoners. Ground Zeroes showcases the franchise's signature stealth gameplay mechanics and immersive storytelling.
    • Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
    • Genre: Action-adventure, stealth
    • Release Date: March 18, 2014 (Worldwide)
    • Developer: Kojima Productions
    • Publisher: Konami
  10. 10
    6
    votes
    This game was originally announced in 2009 and was set to star Raiden as the protagonist. However, it was later cancelled and reworked into Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, which was developed by PlatinumGames and released in 2013.
    Metal Gear Solid: Rising was a cancelled game in the Metal Gear series, originally announced in 2009. The game was intended to focus on the character Raiden, offering a new style of gameplay with an emphasis on swordplay and acrobatic action. However, due to development issues, the game was ultimately scrapped and reimagined as a new game called Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
    • Genre: Action-Adventure
    • Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
    • Announcement Year: 2009
    • Cancellation Year: Unknown (scrapped)
    • Focus Character: Raiden

Missing your favorite game?

Graphs
Discussion

Ranking factors for popular game

  1. Sales figures
    The number of copies sold is a strong indicator of a game's popularity. Higher sales usually mean that the game was well-received by the fans and gaming community.
  2. Critical reception
    Review scores from reputable gaming websites, magazines, and critics should be considered. High scores generally indicate a positive reception for the game's story, gameplay, graphics, and other elements.
  3. Fan base engagement
    Look at the activity and engagement of the fan base in various online forums, social media platforms, and fan websites. A passionate and dedicated fan base is an important factor in determining a game's popularity.
  4. Awards and nominations
    A game's recognition in the form of awards and nominations is an indicator of its success and popularity within the gaming industry.
  5. Impact on the genre and gaming culture
    How has the Metal Gear game influenced other games in the genre, or gaming culture in general? A more popular game is likely to have a more significant impact on gaming as a whole.
  6. Replayability
    A game's replayability factor – the ability for players to enjoy the game multiple times and still find new content or challenges – can contribute to its popularity.
  7. Longevity
    How long has the game maintained its popularity and relevance? A more popular game would typically have a longer shelf life in terms of staying popular and being talked about or played.
  8. Innovations and unique features
    Popular games often introduce innovative gameplay mechanics, storytelling techniques, or other features that set them apart from others in the genre.
  9. Storytelling and characters
    A strong story and engaging, well-developed characters can contribute significantly to a game's popularity.
  10. Accessibility
    A game that is easy to pick up and play, without overly complicated control schemes or high entry barriers, is likely to be more popular among a wider range of players.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Metal Gear game. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or game is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1382 views
  • 189 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each game once every 24 hours. The rank of each game is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular metal gear game

Metal Gear is a popular video game franchise that has been entertaining gamers since the late 1980s. The series revolves around a character named Solid Snake, a retired soldier who is tasked with completing various missions and taking down enemy forces. Over the years, the franchise has produced many exciting and action-packed games that have captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. The Metal Gear games are known for their high-quality graphics, engaging storylines, and innovative gameplay mechanics. From the original game released in 1987 to the latest installment in 2018, the franchise has continued to evolve and improve with each new release. With so many great Metal Gear games to choose from, it can be difficult to determine which one is the most popular. However, by looking at the opinions of gamers and critics alike, we can get a better understanding of which games have stood out as the best of the best. Join us as we explore the most popular Metal Gear games and discover what makes them so great.

Share this article