Metal Gear Solid Master Collection and Remake Confirmed for PlayStation

After months of speculation surrounding the potential revival of the beloved Metal Gear Solid series, the PlayStation Showcase has confirmed that it will indeed be returning to its roots with the release of the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection, Vol. 1, as well as a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3. This collection will encompass the first three games of the Metal Gear Solid series, and while no specific launch date has been announced, fans can expect it to drop in Autumn 2023. Sony and Konami's commitment to bringing this iconic franchise back to the PlayStation platform is reminiscent of Nintendo's approach to their own legacy titles on the Switch.

Nintendo's Switch Online service has become a hub for retro games and classic franchises, featuring many of the company's greatest first-party titles. Initially starting with a modest collection of NES and SNES titles, the service has since expanded to include Genesis, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo 64 classics from both Nintendo and third-party studios. Sony's announcement of the Master Collection's release on PSN is a promising sign for fans of legacy titles, indicating that there may be more to come on the platform, following in the footsteps of Nintendo's successful playbook.

Sony Understands the Importance of the PlayStation's Back Catalog

Nintendo's success can be attributed to its ability to honor its history while progressing into the modern era, resulting in a devoted fanbase that has spanned four decades and multiple generations of hardware. Nintendo's dedication to its past can be seen in the extensive library of retro titles available on the Nintendo Switch, which not only pays homage to beloved titles but also brings new experiences to players.

Similarly, Sony's Metal Gear Solid Master Collection reflects a similar approach to honoring its past while also pushing franchises forward into the next generation. Fans of the Metal Gear Solid series were not only thrilled with the announcement of the Metal Gear Solid 3 remake during the PlayStation showcase, but also pleasantly surprised by the announcement that classic titles in the series were making their way to the platform. The success of the Metal Gear Solid collection may pave the way for other iconic PlayStation franchises to receive similar treatment on PSN or as part of a physical release.

The Title of the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection May Indicate Future Entries

What's most intriguing about the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection announcement is that it's labeled as Vol. 1, hinting at a possible Vol. 2 in the future. Fans are hoping that Metal Gear Solid 4 will be included in the next collection. The game has been exclusive to PlayStation 3 for over a decade, and a revival on PS5 would be the perfect opportunity to bring it to modern hardware.

Nintendo has had success with the revival of the Metroid franchise by releasing a modern remaster of Metroid Prime and bringing past highlights to the Nintendo Switch. If Sony follows a similar strategy with Metal Gear Solid, a remaster of Metal Gear Solid 4 may already be in the works as a companion release to the Master Collection. Fans hope that more franchise entries will soon make their way to the PlayStation, without a long wait after the Metal Gear Solid collection release.

Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 is in development.