Metal Gear Solid has many fantastic characters that fans have loved over the years, such as the protagonist Solid Snake, who makes the impossible possible in every mission. However, while fans remember the classic characters introduced during the original PS1 title, Metal Gear has since introduced so many characters that are memorable to this day.
Since the PS1 title, Metal Gear has introduced new villains, side characters, protagonists, and so much more who are fleshed out and well designed. Additionally, there are many fan favorites in Metal Gear Solid, so it isn't easy to focus on all of them strictly.
EVA
The first love interest chronologically in the Metal Gear timeline, Eva helped Snake during his mission in Operation Snake Eater. Eva's iconic entrance and mysterious personality made her a fan favorite amongst the fanbase, especially when it was revealed that they were a double agent on both the good and bad sides.
Her role in Metal Gear Solid 3 cemented Eva as one of the most memorable characters in the entire franchise, arguably making Eva one of the best female characters to appear in the Metal Gear Solid franchise.
The End
The End is known as the father of modern sniping, being one of the most dangerous members of the Cobra unit in Metal Gear Solid 3. Although the Sorrow is memorable in his own right because of his psychic abilities as a ghost, The End is unique because his boss fights can span different maps.
The player also has multiple opportunities to kill The End, from not playing the game for a long time where he dies from old age to killing him somewhat in a sniper fight. Either way, his boss fight remains one of the most memorable in the Metal Gear series.
Colonel Volgin
Colonel Volgin is one of the main antagonists of Metal Gear Solid 3 and is known for his sadistic personality and electric capabilities. Volgin is regarded alongside the Boss as one of the most dangerous characters to deal with during Operation Snake Eater because of his abilities.
Volgin also has a stubbornness that forces Snake to fight him repeatedly until he's killed for good in the game until he returned in Metal Gear Solid 5.
Vamp
Vamp is one of the most persistent villains in the Metal Gear franchise because he is seemingly immortal, with many characters having a hard time putting him down. Alongside his desire to be killed, Vamp is memorable for his fantastic vampire's iconography and numerous encounters with Raiden's rival.
Vamp is also responsible for one of the major tragedies in Metal Gear Solid 2, making him one of the more personal antagonists that the cast had to handle.
Patriot AI
Arguably the main antagonist of the entire Metal Gear Saga ever since Solid Snake's time in the spotlight, the Patriot AI-first appeared in Metal Gear Solid 2 to play with Raiden's psyche.
The Patriot AI has a creepy voice that references the various missions that Solid Snake has taken part in, both in and out of canon material. The Patriot AI eventually acted as the main threat that the majority had to face in Metal Gear Solid 4 alongside Liquid Ocelot.
Senator Armstrong
Senator Armstrong is the main villain of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance and is one of the most memorable characters due to his personality. Armstrong is a loud, swear-talking, and powerful character that can fight against characters like Cyborg Raiden.
Armstrong, known for his 'nanomachines son' meme, has become famous throughout the fanbase to generalize a central plot McGuffin in Metal Gear.
Venom Snake
Technically, Venom Snake has appeared in the original Metal Gear for the MSX computers. Still, during Metal Gear Solid 5, Hideo Kojima and his team fully developed the character in the story. Venom Snake served as a retcon for Metal Gear lore that has been present for several decades.
However, he has since warmed up some fans due to some distinct differences from Big Boss. Venom Snake remains a memorable character because he has a softer personality in comparison to the other editions.
Solidus Snake
Like Venom Snake, Solidus technically appeared in Metal Gear Solid as the president only to be fully developed by Metal Gear Solid 2. Unlike his brothers, Solidus was patriotic who wanted to live on with a legacy in the world.
Solidus utilized a powerful exoskeleton that granted him enhanced physical capabilities and tentacle arms that shoot missiles, meaning he's just as dangerous as his clone brothers.
Raiden
Raiden is one of the main protagonists in the Metal Gear franchise and has become a famous character in his own right. Initially an infiltration expert similar to his predecessor Solid Snake, he eventually strayed past that thanks to his conversion as a cyborg ninja.
Appearing as the protagonist of two different Metal Gear games, Raiden has become a fan favorite that audiences have grown to love alongside the popular Snakes of the series. Hopefully, Metal Gear Rising might have a sequel in the future of the franchise.
The Boss
The Boss is an essential character in the franchise because of her impact on Metal Gear's story. The Boss is the one who mentored Naked Snake and is responsible for his eventual transition into Big Boss.
What's more, her death eventually kickstarted the Patriots and their eventual goal of a perfect controlled world. Decades after her death, The Boss still haunts Big Boss, and her dream's a reality thanks to Solid Snake's efforts in Metal Gear Solid 4.