"We need to pass the torch, and let our children read our messy and sad history by its light. We have the magic of the digital age to do that with." -Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)

The goal of my petition is get the Metal Gear series ported to as many modern platforms as possible. This would allow players alike to access the essential series without the confusion of missing integral chunks of the story. Please sign if you want these games to be preserved and enjoyed by the current generation.

What is Metal Gear?

Metal Gear is a series of stealth-based action-adventure video games created by Hideo Kojima and published by Konami. The series began with Metal Gear, which released on the MSX2 in 1987, but first gained traction with the release of Metal Gear Solid on the PlayStation in 1998. Since then, it has become a worldwide phenomenon. Metal Gear has crossed over with other video games such as Super Smash Bros., Assassin's Creed, and Ape Escape. A movie inspired by the games is currently in development from Jordan Vogt-Roberts. 

Metal Gear has since been praised for its innovation in gameplay with the use of alert and evasions phases while leaving an enemy's line of sight, close-quarters combat, and camo indexes, which paved the way for the stealth genre as a whole and influenced other games like Splinter Cell, Syphon Filter, and Untitled Goose Game. 

Another aspect of Metal Gear that fans have consistently appreciated is its storytelling. The series combines surrealism with serious themes of war, balancing the two perfectly and creating something that leaves players wanting to keep playing. Themes such as nuclear deterrence, war, loyalty, philosophy, mortality, revenge, rebuilding, living life to the fullest, and passing on culture. Its smart writing and professional voice direction have made characters such as Solid Snake, Raiden, and Big Boss into video game icons. 

Metal Gear Today

In 2015, series director Hideo Kojima has departed from Konami to work with Kojima Productions on projects such as Death Stranding. Ever since, Metal Gear has fallen relatively quiet, with the only real news being its spin-off, Metal Gear Survive, a crossover with Super Bomberman R, Solid Snake's re-inclusion in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, a pachinko machine based on Snake Eater, and ports on GOG.com (which is a great start toward what I am campaigning for.)

However, with the new generations of video game consoles, Konami has not made Metal Gear any more accessible than the recent GOG ports of pre-existing PC ports.

Why is This an Issue?

Being very story-based, Metal Gear games must be played in a very specific order to fully understand and appreciate what happens in the game. The PlayStation 3 has the most canon titles playable on it, missing only Portable Ops. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots has been PS3-exclusive for over twelve years, and Portable Ops has been exclusive to PSP since 2006. These necessary titles are locked away for those lacking hardware that is no longer supported. 

My goal is not to put every Metal Gear game on every system, but to do as many as possible. I understand there are technical limitations and that Metal Gear Solid 4 and V cannot easily run on a system like the Nintendo Switch

What Games are Missing and on What Platforms?

• Metal Gear Solid (The Twin Snakes) is not on Xbox, PS5, Steam, or Nintendo Switch.
• Policenauts is only on MSX2 and PlayStation 1. It also lacks an English dub.
• Metal Gear Solid HD Collection (contains Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker) is not on PS5, Steam, or Switch.
• Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops is only available on PlayStation Portable.
• Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is only available on PlayStation 3. Solid Snake's final chapter remains a cliffhanger to those without.
• Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is not on PS5 or Switch.
• Metal Gear Solid V: Definitive Edition (contains Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain) is not on PS5 or Switch.

How Can it Be Done?

For games like the HD Collection and Metal Gear Solid 1, porting the games can be as simple as emulating the game within the hardware. However, Portable Ops is in need of some remastering. In addition, Guns of the Patriots was coded in a very specific manner and cannot be ported too easily. Not only that, but assets and dialogue with product placement for Apple products, the PlayStation 3, and Assassin's Creed would either need to be removed or tweaked. Porting some of these games may be a challenge, but it is not impossible. It would be worth the risk to allow such profound, confident experiences to not be lost to time.

I believe Bluepoint Games is the best candidate to develop these ports, as they were responsible for the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection, Shadow of the Colossus (2018), and Demon's Souls (2020).

What is My Motive for This Petition?

On a personal note, I have no access to Metal Gear Solid 4. It is a challenge to find a PS3 and I cannot simply borrow someone's console. I would be delighted to experience Solid Snake's final mission properly after the cliffhanger in Sons of Liberty.