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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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How It Works • Games & Tech

Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear Solid is a 1998 stealth action video game developed and published by Konami for the PlayStation.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Metal Gear Solid is a 1998 stealth action video game developed and published by Konami for the PlayStation. It is widely credited with popularizing the stealth genre and set a new standard for cinematic storytelling in video games.

What it is

Metal Gear Solid is the third mainline entry in the Metal Gear series. The story follows Solid Snake, a former special forces operative, as he infiltrates a nuclear weapons facility called Shadow Moses to stop a rogue FOXHOUND unit led by Liquid Snake. The mission revolves around preventing a nuclear threat linked to the Metal Gear weapons system.

Why it matters

The game is often described as one of the most important PlayStation titles and a landmark in stealth design. It helped popularize stealth gameplay and influenced countless action-adventure games that followed. Its cinematic presentation, including voice acting and cutscenes, was groundbreaking for its time.

Key details

Metal Gear Solid emphasizes stealth and avoiding direct combat. Players use hiding, distraction, and non-lethal takedowns to progress. The game was directed, produced, and written by Hideo Kojima, and was first shown at the 1996 Tokyo Game Show. It introduced many players to a more film-like gaming experience.

In short

  • Released in 1998 for PlayStation.
  • Directed, produced, and written by Hideo Kojima.
  • Widely credited with popularizing stealth gameplay.
  • Follows Solid Snake on a mission to stop a nuclear threat.
Canadian angle

Metal Gear Solid has been widely released and discussed in Canadian gaming culture through PlayStation and later re-releases, but it does not have a distinct Canada-specific origin or setting in the available sources.

Quick questions

What is Metal Gear Solid?
It is a 1998 stealth action video game developed and published by Konami for the PlayStation.
Who created Metal Gear Solid?
Hideo Kojima directed, produced, and wrote the game.
Why is it notable?
It is widely credited with popularizing stealth gameplay and with advancing cinematic techniques in video games.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear_Solid_(video_game)
    Supports: Release year, platform, developer/publisher, director/producer/writer, series position, and plot summary.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Gear
    Supports: Series context, influence on stealth games, and cinematic reputation.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/Metal-Gear-Solid
    Supports: Series overview, stealth-focused gameplay, and significance in PlayStation history.