Famed video game director Hideo Kojima crammed a lot of content into his Metal Gear Solid games; enough to last a few lifetimes. It has helped make the franchise so iconic over the years, and a staple of stealth-based action games. However, there's still a lot of stuff that most players gloss right over, without having realized it.
Only the most diehard of gamers have taken the time to scour every nook and cranny of the MGS games in search of secrets and easter eggs. The rest have missed out on the little things that were right in front of them the entire time, such as Codec secrets and character interactions.
Listen To Codec Feedback From Team Members (Metal Gear Solid)
The Codec system is a valuable commodity in Metal Gear Solid that can assist players stuck on certain parts of the game, or give them advice on how to deal with particular challenges, such as boss fights. However, most MGS players tend to listen to their Codec team members only when it's convenient, and in the moment.
After a particularly challenging battle or boss fight, many gamers forget to check in with their team to get their thoughts. This is a waste of content, which means players who are giving the game another go should really take more opportunities to dial home and see what their buddies have to say.
Find Hidden Songs Embedded In The Codec (Metal Gear Solid: Integral)
The Codec is responsible for some of the most hilarious moments in Metal Gear Solid, but there are also some secrets in there, as well. The PlayStation version of Metal Gear Solid: Integral, in particular, features quite a lot of extra content. Many gamers forget to dial their way around the Codec to find hidden stuff, which means they'll miss a series of classic Metal Gear tunes that trigger during certain game events.
To access these songs, players need to tune the Codec to 140.66. In addition, they can also listen to staff commentary tracks if they change the frequency to 140.07, though they are in Japanese.
Listen To Otacon's Photo Commentary (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty)
The opening tanker act of Metal Gear Solid 2 has a surprising amount of good content tacked in, before the focus shifts to the main act featuring Raiden. Solid Snake can take a bunch of photos with his camera while on the mission, which Otacon will remark on, depending on the subject of the shot.
Most of these are quite humorous, particularly if the player takes snapshots of particular people, items, or environmental fixtures. Most gamers aren't even aware that this is a thing, which means they lose out on some of Otacon's funniest in-game commentary.
Torment The Guards (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty)
Most Metal Gear Solid players prefer to dispatch enemy soldiers with a lethal round or go for a silent non-lethal takedown. However, there is a way to get a few laughs out of unconscious soldiers, simply by firing at their bodies while they're out.
To do this, players need to use a non-M9 weapon, then shoot an unconscious guard in the hand or leg. The waist radio can also be fired upon. When the soldier awakes, they will fumble with a broken radio, be unable to hold a gun, and try to limp away to safety, which is an interesting sight.
Survive The Nightmare Mini-Game (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater)
Few people imagine secrets locked within the simple process of saving a game, but Metal Gear Solid 3 does include it during the scene where Snake is held captive in Groznyj Grad. To access it, gamers need to save their game and then quit, which sets up a trigger for the next play session.
Instead of waking up to the action, the loaded save starts players out inside a nightmare sequence dubbed "Guy Savage." Here, players can engage in a hack-and-slash mini-game against hordes of zombies. The in-game player will also undergo a monstrous transformation of his own, which amplifies his strength.
Get The Snake Eyes Trophy (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater)
At several points through MGS3, the player must hit the R1 button at a particular moment to change the camera perspective, usually indicated by an on-screen prompt. Several of them are hidden, and it's up to players to try and figure out where. One particular hidden R1 prompt also leads to a trophy.
It occurs right after the player defeats The Boss, one of the best characters to get introduced after the first Metal Gear Solid game. When the horse makes a sound, players need to hold R1 to change to a view of two ghostly apparitions - one of The Boss, and the other The Sorrow, standing next to each other before they both disappear.
Find All The Ghosts (Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots)
Ghosts are nothing new to Metal Gear Solid games, but the fourth chapter in the series took a different route in how players can uncover them. Previously, they'd need to take a camera shot, whereas MGS4 allowed ghosts to be located using a viewfinder. The only stipulation is that the Sorrow doll is equipped at the same time.
Metal Gear Solid 4 contains a grand total of 49 ghosts that can be located using this method, which is a definite challenge for completionists who want bragging rights. It's also a task that most Metal Gear Solid players aren't even aware of, much less inclined to finish.
Obtain The Bandana And Stealth Camo (Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots)
Gamers who want a challenge can go for the Bandana and Stealth Camouflage by completing the game with a set of accomplished criteria. Though these two items can be purchased by Drebin, they are quite expensive. This method earns the player both items without having to drop a single DP.
To obtain the Bandana, the game must be completed without killing any human characters, although beast forms are valid. To obtain the Stealth Camo, players need to run through the game in its entirety without triggering anything above a Caution phase. One alert, and it's all over.
Shoot Ocelot With A Tranquilizer Gun (Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain)
Revolver Ocelot is one of the most iconic characters in the MGS franchise, but gamers rarely get a chance to poke fun at him. Normally, players only get a shot at Ocelot in certain key MGS games, the fifth in the series being a rare exception. Here, the character is an ally who hasn't fully committed himself to his ambitious vendetta. That doesn't mean players can't shoot him, however. The results merely play out different.
By shooting tranquilizer rounds at Ocelot, he'll react to the drug in different ways. Many of the things he says are unintentionally hilarious, while others, such as the "La Li Lu Le Lo" line are direct nods to previous Metal Gear Solid games. It's also interesting to note that if you kill him in MGS3, the game will end as you've created a time paradox since he's alive in later installments.
Use The Water Pistol (Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain)
It might seem ridiculous to have a water pistol in the weapons rack, but it does actually serve a purpose. Sadly, many MGS gamers won't even bother with it, believing that it's little more than a simple gimmick or gag. In truth, it can come in handy during specific situations.
Firing the water pistol at a soldier, for instance, can stun them long enough for a silent takedown. It can be used to distract enemies and send them in the wrong direction, which is handy. Even the Man on Fire can be incapacitated using the water pistol, making it more than just a simple toy.