1998
METAL GEAR SOLID
Metal Gear Solid is a landmark PlayStation stealth game that combined tactical infiltration, cinematic direction, elaborate boss encounters and self-aware experimentation into one of the defining releases of the late 1990s.
1998
THE RECORD AT A GLANCE
Avoid guards using radar, cover, distractions and gadgets; manage weapons and limited resources; defeat specialised bosses; and advance through a heavily scripted military espionage narrative.
GOLD STANDARD EDITORIAL
DEVELOPMENT
Directed, written, designed and produced by Hideo Kojima, it translated the core stealth ideas of the earlier MSX2 games into polygonal 3D with extensive voice acting, motion-captured presentation and a more film-like narrative structure.
HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE
It popularised stealth action on consoles and demonstrated how game mechanics, cinematic storytelling and fourth-wall-breaking ideas could be integrated into a single mainstream production.
RECEPTION
The game received widespread acclaim for its direction, atmosphere, voice acting, stealth systems, soundtrack and memorable bosses, with criticism generally focused on camera limitations and a relatively short main campaign.
LEGACY
Its approach influenced generations of stealth and cinematic action games, established Solid Snake as a major PlayStation icon and transformed Metal Gear into one of Konami's flagship franchises.
SALES
The original PlayStation release sold more than six million copies worldwide.
NOTES
Original Japanese PlayStation release. The composer field lists the credited in-game music team and Rika Muranaka, who composed the closing theme.
CONNECTED HISTORY
PEOPLE
AWARDS
RELEASE RECORD
LIVE WORKBOOK IMPORT