Few video game series manage to hold a 20th Anniversary party, but the Konami team were able to hold one for the Metal Gear series a couple of years ago because the series has gone from strength to strength, always bringing out the best with regards to gameplay, graphics, storyline and music.
I first discovered the series in 1998 with Metal Gear Solid for the PlayStation and was hooked on it instantly. It was a revolutionary genre as the game commended you for getting past enemy soldiers unnoticed, although there's nothing to stop you taking them all out if that's your style. I soon learnt that MGS was in fact a sequel but the previous game had been released in 1990 for the MSX2, and only in Japan!
One thing that makes the series remarkable is its diversity within the gaming world. Many of the most successful consoles which have been on the market in the past twenty years have had at least one MG game and so look out for a Metal Gear title, all of which have impressed, if you own any of the following:
- MSX2
- NES
- PlayStation
- PlayStation 2
- PlayStation 3
- PlayStation Portable
- Xbox
- Xbox 360
- PC
- Gamecube
- Game Boy Color
- iPod Touch
The series has even made its appearance on certain mobile phones and is now making its way into the arcade. Its success has even guaranteed it an upcoming movie. With two more console games coming, the future looks promising for an already long-lived series.