Rumours of a Metal Gear Solid remake have been circulating for what seems like forever. And while it does sound like we’ll get one eventually, we’re getting bored of waiting. Metal Gear is one of our favourite video game series here at Downtime Bros. But is there a way for us to revisit the franchise on our next-gen consoles? Or our last-gen consoles for that matter? So, let’s cut to the chase. Let’s take a look at how to play MGS on PS5…
How To Play MGS on PS5 or PS4
Whether or not you’ll be able to play Metal Gear Solid on PS5 depends which MGS game you actually want to play. It’s best to go through each mainline entry one by one. Which MGS games can be played on PS5 or PS4?
Metal Gear Solid (1998)
Original platform: PlayStation
The first Metal Gear Solid is a legendary title in video game history. But does that mean there’s a way for gamers in the 2020s to enjoy it on PS5 or PS4? No. You can’t play MGS1 on PS5 or PS4. The only way to play Metal Gear Solid is on PS1 as originally intended, or via backwards compatibility on PS2 or PS3. It was also included as part of 2013’s Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection on PlayStation 3.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)
Original platform: PlayStation 2
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was hotly anticipated prior to release. And it remains a polarising game to this day due to its complex narrative, meta themes, and the inclusion of Raiden. But can you revisit it on modern hardware? Until recently the answer was YES. You may recall it was re-released in 2011/12 as part of the Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection for PS3. This was subsequently made available via PlayStation Now, Sony’s cloud gaming subscription service. So, is Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection on PlayStation Now? Not anymore. It was temporarily removed in November 2021 due to licensing issues. Konami explained on their website:
“We are currently working on renewing the licenses for select historical archive footage used in-game, therefore, we have made the temporary decision to begin suspending the sale of METAL GEAR SOLID 2, METAL GEAR SOLID 3 and all products that include these games from digital storefronts globally starting from November 8th, 2021.
We sincerely ask for your patience and understanding as we work towards making these products available for purchase once again.”
As you likely already know, PlayStation 2 games don’t work on PS4 or PS5. That means if you have a physical PS2 copy of MGS2, you won’t be able to use that to play it on the newer consoles. Your best bet is to wait until Konami resolve the licensing issues and make it available via PlayStation Now again. Of course, a physical copy of the HD Collection will still work on PS3. Or you can play an original copy of the game on a PS2 console or backwards compatible PS3. Remember though, only launch 20GB and 60GB model PS3s can play PS2 games.
How To Play MGS on PS5 or PS4 – Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
Original platform: PlayStation 2
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is often considered the best entry in the series. Sadly, it has suffered the same fate as MGS2. Due to licensing issues, it’s no longer available on PlayStation Now as part of the MGS: HD Collection. That means you can’t play MGS3 on PS5 or PS4 for the time being. Here’s hoping Konami manage to sort the licensing issues quickly, so we can get back to enjoying Big Boss’s first outing. In the meantime, you can still play a physical version of the HD Collection (including MGS3) on PS3, or dig out an old PS2 copy of Snake Eater and play it on a PlayStation 2 console or backwards compatible PS3.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)
Original platform: PlayStation 3
MGS4 was supposed to be the final instalment in the series. And it brought its long-running, complicated story to a satisfying conclusion. But can you play MGS4 on PS5 or PS4? YES! It’s available on PlayStation Now. As long as you have a subscription to that service, you’re good to go. Sadly, physical PS3 copies of MGS4 won’t work on Sony’s newer consoles.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015)
Original platform: PlayStation 4
Despite series creator Hideo Kojima insisting he was done with the series following MGS4, he would go on to make MGSV. But it wasn’t without its fair share of controversy. It was notably unfinished, and Kojima had a rough split with publisher Konami. Having said that, The Phantom Pain is still a great game – even if it isn’t quite as refined as the series’ other entries. Thankfully, it’s the most straightforward instalment to play on PS5 or PS4. All you need is a physical or digital PS4 copy of MGSV and you can get stuck in on either console.
You might also be wondering is MGSV 60fps on PS5? And the answer is “yes”! MGS5 runs at a solid 60 frames per second on PlayStation 5. Great stuff.
Would you like to be able to play classic Metal Gear Solid games on PS5 or PS4? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
