Before Snake Eater. Before Sons of Liberty. Before Solid Snake faced a giant mech on Shadow Moses — there was a man sneaking through a facility on the MSX. Metal Gear. 1987. The origin.
The Master Collection Vol. 1 gathers the first five main entries in the Metal Gear franchise. Released in 2023 to mark the series' 35th anniversary. It is, in the most literal sense, where everything begins.
What is in the collection
The original Metal Gear (1987) and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990). Metal Gear Solid (1998) — the game that invented modern stealth action, introduced Shadow Moses, and featured a boss who read your memory card. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001) — one of the most divisive sequels in gaming history and, viewed from 2026, one of the most prescient pieces of media ever made. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004) — the Cold War jungle survival game that many consider the finest entry in the series.
Bonus content includes the Digital Graphic Novel, screenplay books, master books, and a digital soundtrack.
The honest caveat
Vol. 1 launched in a state that drew criticism. Resolution issues, missing features, a rougher port than the games deserved. Konami addressed these with updates. Noriaki Okamura acknowledged the problems publicly — and noted they used the feedback to ensure Vol. 2 would launch in better condition.
The games themselves remain extraordinary. The collection is the most accessible way to play them.
Kage played the original on MSX. He does not speak of it lightly.