Metal Gear is a series that was both created and helmed by the creative genius Hideo Kojima. The last game in the series that Hideo Kojima was involved with was Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain. There were over thirty years of Metal Gear history, moments, and lore with the game's conclusion.
In the vastness of the series, there were bound to be some silly moments. Hideo Kojima embraced the series' silliest moments and wasn’t afraid to put more into his latest game: Death Stranding. From bizarre characters to wild cutscene moments, the Metal Gear series has something for everyone.
12 The Pain, Shooter Of Hornets
A title that many regard as one of the best in the franchise, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater explored the character of Big Boss before he got his title and infamy. It sought to explain how he became the future character and the father of Solid Snake, but also has its fair share of wacky characters.
One such character is The Pain, a man Snake encounters who can shoot hornets from his hands, and control a giant swarm of them. They aren’t deadly unless Snake gets stung too many times. Though more than a little silly, it certainly is a nice change of pace from “bad guy with a gun.”
11 The “Too Easy” Chicken Hat
The last entry into Kojima’s franchise, The Phantom Pain is arguably the most challenging title in the series due to its open-world mechanics. Taking this into account, the game features a three-strike system. If players die three times in a row, they will be asked if they would like to use a Chicken Hat.
When enabling this hat, enemies cannot spot Snake even in direct vision. This works up to three times, though it does restrict mission ratings to an A. Even so, it can be worth it just to see the ever-serious “Venom” Snake sporting a goofy chicken hat and fighting Anti-Nuclear War themes.
10 The Johnny Joke
One of the silliest moments in Metal Gear history is a reoccurring joke in which a character needs to relieve themselves, rather audibly. In Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Johnny develops diarrhea because he drank contaminated water without nanomachines to filter them.
Although this joke has appeared in a few different Metal Gear games, MGS4 is the most prominent, with one of the main characters defecating in a barrel, and looking rather silly whilst doing it. What’s even funnier is that the character later goes on to marry the character, Meryl.
9 The End’s End, By Patience
Another bizarre yet brilliant character by Kojima from Snake Eater is The End. This legendary but ancient sniper is killable early on as he is wheeled around in a wheelchair, but later becomes a deadly adversary against Snake in the jungle.
If players find this battle too hard, then all they need to do is let nature take its course. The End is 100 years old, and the player can save their game and wait 8 real-life days (or change their console’s internal clock) and The End will die of old age.
8 Hideo Kojima As An Operative
Fans were somewhat disappointed with the release of Metal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes, as it was more of a tech demo than a full game. The game did feature one of the silliest moments in the franchise though, which was an appearance from the legendary Hideo Kojima himself.
Kojima appears as a major character that Snake must protect and help get to safety in “Intel Operative Rescue.” His survival at the end of the mission rewards fans with a cutscene, in which Kojima asks Snake what took him so long. It’s a fun moment between creator and creation.
7 Otacon’s Bathroom Accident
Nobody can tell for certain what Kojima’s obsession with toilet humor is, but it was present since the first Metal Gear Solid game. The idea of needing to use the restroom is an active and useful feature in Kojima’s Death Stranding, and the subject of many jokes in the franchise.
When Otacon comes into contact with Silver Fox, the encounter terrifies him to the point of urination. It’s rather embarrassing, especially since Solid Snake witnesses the whole thing.
6 Embarrassing Codec Calls
The level of detail that Kojima and his team put into the Metal Gear games is nothing short of inspiring. There is such immense care in the games for their serious tones, level of detail, and humor. One such example of this is the codec system: a device that allows Snake to call certain characters for lore and advice.
If Snake was to take a codec call in the bathroom, or a locker with a questionable magazine, the person that Snake calls can respond rather embarrassed, and scolds Snake for his strange behavior. It’s rather silly for one of the best games on espionage.
5 Snake Eater’s Ladder, What A Thrill…
No fan of the Metal Gear series can deny the power and beauty of the James Bond-inspired song “Snake Eater” in MGS3. What fans might be disgruntled and divided about, however, is hearing the song as Snake climbs a ladder. For two whole minutes.
Although two minutes doesn’t seem like a long time, to be holding the up button whilst watching Snake climb a ladder is boring and silly, even if the song helps to pass the time. It was a convenient way to let the song play in-game, and is Kojima’s version of elevator music. Hopefully, this moment remains in the rumored remake.
4 Psycho Mantis’ Memory Card Fortune
One of the series’ creepiest characters, Psycho Mantis startled many players on the classic PS1 MGS title when he began to read their memory cards and deactivate their controllers. It was a great feature, even if it was one of the franchise's many fourth-wall-breaking moments. That only heightened the scene by bringing players directly into the confrontation.
What makes this scene so silly is how Mantis reacts to the games that have been played. It was brilliantly done for a game made in 1998 and just shows the innovation that Kojima and his team put into these games from so early on.
3 Raiden’s Naked Adventure
During the third act of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty, Raiden is stripped down out of his special-ops suit and tortured. Once he manages to escape, he spends a good amount of time dodging guards and trying to get to safety. All without the comfort of clothes.
The silliness of this scene outweighs the serious tones and concepts in MGS2 because Raiden is naked from head to toe. Raiden holds his crotch so as to avoid revealing his privates and even keeps hold of them during flips and kicks.
2 Ocelot’s Sensual Smooch
In the climactic battle between Solid Snake and Ocelot of MGS4, fans enter a one-on-one fight against the franchise’s most complex character. The fight is a reminder of the franchise’s legacy, going through the different theme songs and HUD elements.
What throws players out of the fight and into the silliness, is when Ocelot grabs Snake. If the player refuses to wiggle the analog stick, Ocelot will whisper “Snake…” and give him a gentle kiss on the cheek. Players also get the achievement: "You’re Pretty Good," for doing so!
1 The Box, The Ultimate Stealth Tool
Even more iconic than Snake’s bandana and the giant exclamation marks upon the enemy alert, the box is a staple of Metal Gear history and has been parodied in a great deal of media. What makes this a silly entry is its use. Enemies will sometimes not question a box if it’s moved position. The inclusion of the box is a stealth game changer.
The visuals of Snake’s legs running around in a small box are hilarious every time. This is further heightened by MGS5, which allows players to slide down dunes in them. It’s a fun mechanic, but an incredibly silly one.