Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection

Features

• Great value - 3 Games at a value price point
• First time in the franchise history that all 3 games are available together!
• Final chance to get fully immersed in the Metal Gear Solid universe before the release of Metal Gear Solid 4
• Includes the directors cut of Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance and Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
• Special re-designed packaging artwork from renowned artist Shinkawa

Description
Since its inception, the Metal Gear franchise has been one of the most successful game series on any console receiving worldwide recognition and praise. The franchise that pioneered the stealth action genre is back with Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system. Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection includes Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2 and Metal Gear Solid 3 for the very first time in one collectible package.

Price: US$ 34.90
Release Date: Mar, 2008

Source: Play-Asia

No "official" announcement has been made about this yet, but it looks legit. Gamestop now has it available for pre-order, with a price of $29.99 and a shipping date of March 18.

I already have all of these games, but I think I might get this collection anyway, if only for collectible reasons. If anyone hasn't played all these games and has a PS2 though, I highly recommend getting this. Three of the best games ever -- including their special edition versions -- for the price of one? This is one of the best deals I've ever seen.

And since Subsistence includes Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, you can basically say that this collection includes every Kojima-developed Metal Gear title other than Portable Ops. Awesome.

I gotta tell my friend about this he is a big metal gear head.

I like metal gear to, i like playing number 3

This is definitely a good deal, if it's priced like a normal game. Other than the fact that Twin Snakes for the Gamecube is better than MGS1, there is no reason for anybody who doesn't have these games to get them.

I might look into this when I get back. ^_^

Originally Posted by Duo

This is definitely a good deal, if it's priced like a normal game. Other than the fact that Twin Snakes for the Gamecube is better than MGS1, there is no reason for anybody who doesn't have these games to get them.

Gonna have to STRONGLY disagree with you on that one.

Also, Metal Gear and Solid Snake came on the second disc of Subsistence, but there's no telling if that's included yet. If so, well, then that's great.

Originally Posted by Duo

Other than the fact that Twin Snakes for the Gamecube is better than MGS1

I wouldn't say that. The voice acting is a lot weaker, the soundtrack is mediocre, the cutscenes were way too over-the-top, and the MGS2 mechanics they implemented were pointless because the game opened up no new environmental or strategic changes to put them to use with. It definitely looks prettier, but as a whole I felt that it missed more than it hit.

Originally Posted by DrZaius1

Also, Metal Gear and Solid Snake came on the second disc of Subsistence, but there's no telling if that's included yet. If so, well, then that's great.

This is true. The Japanese anniversary collection included the two MSX games on separate discs, and an updated version of MGS3 which was virtually identical to the Subsistence main scenario disc. I guess it's possible that they won't include them, which would kind of suck, but oh well. I'm just going to cross my fingers that they do, because it would definitely be cool.

The first metal gear kicks ass. i never played twin snakes though...
I beat the games in reverse order i beat 3 then 2 but i still gotta beat 1

Originally Posted by Slime

I wouldn't say that. The voice acting is a lot weaker, the soundtrack is mediocre, the cutscenes were way too over-the-top, and the MGS2 mechanics they implemented were pointless because the game opened up no new environmental or strategic changes to put them to use with. It definitely looks prettier, but as a whole I felt that it missed more than it hit.



This is true. The Japanese anniversary collection included the two MSX games on separate discs, and an updated version of MGS3 which was virtually identical to the Subsistence main scenario disc. I guess it's possible that they won't include them, which would kind of suck, but oh well. I'm just going to cross my fingers that they do, because it would definitely be cool.

Yeah, I'm going to agree all you said on Twin Snakes. As for the Anniversary Collection, they also included Portable Ops in that one as well, and that didn't make the cut over here. I already own all the games, so it doesn't really affect me, but it'd be prudent to include the first two.

Although I do have all three already, I may well take a look at this collection. I don't actually have the extended version of MSG 3, and I've been looking for a used copy recently in stores, so this would solve that problem.

I'm almost surprised that Twin Snakes isn't the one included in the package, or perhaps even both versions? I wasn't quite as disappointed in that game as Zaius and Slime seem to be, but there are some valid points against it.

Originally Posted by DK

Although I do have all three already, I may well take a look at this collection. I don't actually have the extended version of MSG 3, and I've been looking for a used copy recently in stores, so this would solve that problem.

I'm almost surprised that Twin Snakes isn't the one included in the package, or perhaps even both versions? I wasn't quite as disappointed in that game as Zaius and Slime seem to be, but there are some valid points against it.

Twin Snakes isn't a Playstation game, for one. Secondly, it's the non-canonical version of Metal Gear Solid. These games are that narrative driven that this remake differs so much it is simply a reimagining of Metal Gear Solid from a Silicon Knights perspective.

To be honest, I'd never really noticed too many differences between both versions. After already being familiar with the original games plotline, I guess I just rushed through Twin Snakes for the game play. =/ There's really enough differences to make the game non-canonical? Well, at least I know now.

I suppose it's nice to keep Twin Snakes an exclusive for the Gamecube still, seeing as the console lacked quality games of that genre.

Originally Posted by Duo

This is definitely a good deal, if it's priced like a normal game. Other than the fact that Twin Snakes for the Gamecube is better than MGS1, there is no reason for anybody who doesn't have these games to get them.

eh mgs on psone was the daddy in all aspects.

what a bargain.

It's an awesome deal, but already having played all three of the games, I'm going to have to pass on this beauty. Though it would have been awesome if it was the same as Japan's Collection.

For me, I think I'll just keep waiting for the Metal Gear Solid 2 PSP Digital Graphic Novel.

oh man, I really want it but I don't think I have a need for it. I have MGS2 and MGS3 so buying it seems like it might be a bit wasteful of me...but I have never played MGS1 all the way through and I never actually owned it either. It's going to be a toughie >_< The fact that substance is included for MGS2 might make things a bit better since I own the regular version of MGS2.

^ That's pretty much my justification for buying the collection if I do, but rather than Substance, it's Subsistence I'm in need of. Hopefully it contains enough extra material to keep me busy!

Originally Posted by Mr Wonderful
Though it would have been awesome if it was the same as Japan's Collection.

Are there many differences? I haven't actually seen anything about a seperate Japan edition...

Japan always gets the cool extras. >.>