Metal Gear Solid is one of gaming's most iconic franchises, and the long-running series has seen its fair share of ups and downs. From humble beginnings with Metal Gear on the MSX to the big-budget cinematics of The Phantom Pain, Metal Gear Solid has evolved just as much as gaming itself over the 30 years it's been around.
Not every Metal Gear game was created equal, however, and some are definitely better than the others. None of them are outright awful, but there are a few black sheep that don't meet the same standard of quality set forth by some of the other games. These are the best mainline Metal Gear Solid games ranked by their Metacritic review scores.
10 Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes - 75
Although Ground Zeroes features the fantastic stealth-action gameplay of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, it was heavily criticized for its length, netting it the lowest spot on this list. A 75 isn't a terrible score, but it's a notably low score for a series as acclaimed as Metal Gear Solid
The main scenario of Ground Zeroes could be completed in under two hours, which is very short considering the game retailed for $40 at launch. There was extra content in the form of side ops, but the game's incredibly short runtime hurt it critically.
9 Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance - 80
Technically not a Metal Gear Solid game in name, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is a canon continuation of the Metal Gear saga following the conclusion of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. The story follows Raiden, the protagonist of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, as he battles his way through waves of augmented cyborgs.
Many fans see this game as the black sheep of the franchise because it traded the series' tactical espionage action in favor of high-octane hack and slash gameplay. Those who were able to look past the genre switch, however, were rewarded with one of PlatinumGames' best titles and one of gaming's all-time greatest soundtracks.
8 Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes - 85
The original Metal Gear Solid is one of the most popular video games ever created, so it only makes sense that it would be remade at least once. The Twin Snakes reimagines the seminal stealth game in the Metal Gear Solid 2 engine, providing a hefty graphical facelift as well as adding several new mechanics to the game.
The cutscenes and voicework were also redone, and fans were divided as to which version of the game was better. Sure, the graphics were a lot prettier, but the original game's style was mostly lost in the transition. The new mechanics, like the first-person camera, also had unintended effects on the game's balance, resulting in a watered-down experience compared to the original.
7 Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops - 87
Metal Gear Solid's first portable outing, Portable Ops picks up the story of Big Boss following the events of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. It's not as important to the overall Metal Gear narrative as other portable entries like Peace Walker, but it's still a must-play for any fan wanting to know every aspect of the lore.
It's the game that popularized the soldier capturing mechanic that later entries like Peace Walker and The Phantom Pain would use, and it's worth playing for that fact alone. Those who stick with the game until the end will see Big Boss fleshed out in new ways and fill the important gap in the timeline between Snake Eater and Peace Walker.
6 Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker - 89
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is the definitive portable Metal Gear Solid game. Its levels are designed to be played in short play sessions, making it perfect for playing during commutes or breaks. It also has a lot to offer for those who want to play for hours at a time, with incredible level design and addictive base building mechanics.
The story is also arguably one of the best in the series, rivaling even the narrative heights of Metal Gear Solid 2 and Metal Gear Solid 3. Metal Gear Solid V may have been advertised as the fall of Big Boss, but Peace Walker is where everything is set in motion. This is the game where you see the heroic Big Boss from Snake Eater and Portable Ops start to transform into something more sinister.
5 Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain - 93
As mentioned above, this was supposed to be the game that bridged the gap between the prequel games featuring Big Boss and the modern games starring Solid Snake. The Phantom Pain was supposed to provide a window into the downfall of Big Boss and show the transformation from an idyllic leader to the 16-bit supervillain shown in the original Metal Gear.
Unfortunately, Metal Gear Solid V's story is the low point of the game, which is atypical for a Metal Gear Solid title. Troubled development and strained relations with Konami led to director Hideo Kojima and his team not being able to fully flesh out the narrative as they had originally planned, but The Phantom Pain's wonderful systems-driven gameplay more than makes up for that.
4 Metal Gear Solid 3 - 91
One of the more unique Metal Gear Solid titles, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater takes the series back to the 1960s, delivering an exciting Cold War-era spy thriller. The titular Operation Snake Eater is Naked Snake's first major mission, and it gives the character some much-needed development by showing players Big Boss before he becomes Big Boss.
In this game, Big Boss seems no different than the Solid Snake players had come to love from the first two games. He even shows more character, frequently smiling and cracking jokes, which is a direct contrast to the stoic Solid Snake. Watching Naked Snake take on his first mission that sets in motion his transformation into the dejected Big Boss is a memorable journey, with a particularly emotional final boss, earning this game very high spot on this list.
3 Metal Gear Solid 4 - 94
There were astronomically high expectations for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots leading up to its release. It was the first HD Metal Gear game, and it was the follow up to one of the most legendary trilogies in gaming history. With a 94 on Metacritic, Guns of the Patriots met expectations and more, delivering a satisfying conclusion to the Metal Gear saga.
Public opinion of the game has shifted a bit since it launched in 2008, but there's still no denying that Metal Gear Solid 4 is an excellent stealth game. The controls were streamlined, the cutscenes were well-directed, and it was the best feeling Metal Gear Solid game overall mechanically before being dethroned by The Phantom Pain.
2 Metal Gear Solid - 94
Is there anything to say about the original Metal Gear Solid that hasn't already been said? If you've ever played a video game, you know how significant the release of Metal Gear Solid was. The production value and cinematography were like nothing ever before seen in a video game, and it skyrocketed the success of the stealth genre.
Even to this day, Metal Gear Solid remains one of the finest video games ever created. It still holds up wonderfully, and the characters and gameplay rival even the best things being released today. It's a landmark release for video games, and the effects it has had on the gaming industry cannot be overstated.
1 Metal Gear Solid 2 - 96
If Metal Gear Solid pioneered the formula of tactical espionage action, then Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty perfected it. It took the foundation laid by its predecessor and improved upon just about every aspect. The gunplay, the AI, the storytelling, everything had been taken to the next level with Metal Gear Solid 2.
The game was also a remarkable technical achievement, representing one of the largest ever graphical leaps between an original game and its sequel. It also ran at a buttery smooth 60 frames per second thanks to the power of the PlayStation 2. Metal Gear Solid 2 is the crowning achievement of the franchise, and that's precisely why it's at the top of this list.