When it comes to guns and video games, the Metal Gear Solid franchise has featured a wide variety. From genuine weapons based on real-world creations, to the fictional that could only exist within a series made by Hideo Kojima. But when battling nanomachine-powered superhumans or nuclear-firing mechs, you need the best arsenal you can get ahold of.
There have been so many weapons across the games that you could dedicate a whole website to cataloging each one’s function and purpose. This list aims to cut to the chase and focus on the best weapons that have had the most impact on the series. Some may not have as much firepower compared to others, but their use and importance make them an integral part of the Metal Gear series.
8
Rocket Launcher
The Metal Gear Repellent
How every protagonist is capable of carrying a fifteen-pound missile launcher in their bag while being stealthy will forever remain a mystery. However, if you’re going to fight an armored vehicle or a giant mech, you need a heavy weapon that packs a punch.
The rocket launcher has made an appearance in virtually every Metal Gear game, though with different designs and capabilities: single-shot launcher, homing missiles, or remote-controlled missiles. No matter their design, the result is always a devastating explosion. Just remember to pack extra rockets the next time you want to take on an enemy gunship or new Metal Gear.
7
Chaff Grenade
The Ultimate Safety Net
In a one-on-one gunfight against enemy soldiers, a chaff grenade is virtually useless. But when trying to sneak into a base littered with cameras, or going head-to-head with a Metal Gear, chaff grenades are the perfect countermeasure. Since their first appearance in the original Metal Gear Solid (1998), the chaff grenades can be considered the safety net of the series.
They’re the only non-lethal grenades that cannot harm or hinder the player. When they explode, metallic particles are released into the air, disrupting and confusing all electronics. Security cameras, turrets, and even enemy radios will be jammed for a few seconds. Best of all, these handy weapons work well in boss fights with Metal Gears. One tossed chaff grenade, and the Metal Gear will go haywire, giving you room to counterattack.
Yes, stun and gas grenades are non-lethal, but even they can hinder the player if misused.
6
Rail Gun
A Sci-Fi Weapon of Pure Devastation
Rail Guns and science fiction have been in a tight-knit relationship for decades. Multiple movies and video games have done their own interpretations of the futuristic weapon—and so has Metal Gear. In its first terrifying debut, a massive rail gun was equipped to Metal Gear REX, and the results were devastating.
A portable version of the gun was made, only to fall into the hands of the bad guys once again when wielded by Fortune and Crying Wolf. It wasn’t until Metal Gear Solid 4 and Peace Walker when players finally got to use the rail gun. The weapon may possess a long charging time, but if you want to reduce a miniature mobile mech to rubble, one blast is all it’ll take. It’s not the most practical gun to take along on a sneaking mission, but if you want to make an impact in battle, you couldn’t ask for anything better.
5
Revolver
“Six Bullets… More Than Enough to Kill Anything that Moves.”
Considered the best handgun in the world and a favorite of a certain cowboy spy, the revolver is one of the more archaic weapons to become a mainstay of the series. In a world of technology and espionage, Revolver Ocelot is always seen twirling his trusty handgun—at least until Metal Gear Solid 4, but that’s another story.
Funny enough, players didn’t get a chance to fully use a revolver until Metal Gear Solid 3. Though only capable of holding six bullets, each shot packs a punch when hitting its target. Plus, if you feel like showing off, the revolver’s pretty handy for pulling off tricks.
4
Sniper Rifle
No Metal Gear Is Complete Without One
If you’ve ever played one of the numbered Metal Gear games, you probably remember a sniper rifle playing an important part. When sneaking around and trying to remain hidden, having a long-range weapon is ideal for most conditions. From the cold tundra of Shadow Moses Island to the scorching sands of Afghanistan, bringing along a sniper rifle has made a world of difference for Metal Gear players.
Besides being perfect for long-range combat, each major release within Konami’s epic saga has featured an unforgettable sniper battle. There was the showdown with Sniper Wolf, protecting Emma, encountering The End, facing Crying Wolf, or being hunted by Quiet. One of the best weapons for some of the best boss fights in the franchise.
3
Tranquilizer
Perfect For Pacifists and Building Armies
Though the tranquilizer didn’t make its first appearance until Metal Gear Solid 2, the non-lethal pistol quickly became an integral part of the series. Besides acting as the starting weapon for each game that followed, the tranquilizer makes for a useful tool in nearly every encounter. One shot to the head and any enemy soldier will be knocked out cold. The gun can even be used during boss encounters, though it may take more than a few shots to work.
True, the weapon’s useless against machines like Metal Gear, but for players that truly want to play it stealthily, the tranquilizer is the number one tool. And its importance only increases when used in Peace Walker and Metal Gear Solid 5. If you spot an enemy you want to recruit, you just shoot them with a tranquilizer dart and capture them with a Fulton recovery balloon.
2
High-Frequency Blade
The Only Thing It Can’t Cut Is a Soul
It’s no gun, but countless examples have shown the high-frequency blade to be a powerful weapon when in the hands of a cyborg ninja like Gray Fox, Olga, or Raiden. Whether it’s being used as a tool of justice or for vengeance, the high-frequency blade has proven itself to be deadly, capable of deflecting bullets and cutting through anything, be it flesh or steel.
Sadly, the iconic katana is another weapon that players were unable to play with during its first appearance. In MGS 2, fans got to take a sword for a spin, but even then, it was in Metal Gear Rising when players could finally unleash the sword’s full capabilities. Cyborgs, choppers, even Metal Gears, Raiden’s high-frequency blade can slice through nearly anything. Besides making it one of the best swords in video games, the high-frequency blade will remain the most overpowered weapon in the series.
1
SOCOM
A Tactical Weapon for Tactical Espionage
Sleek. Stealthy. Solid. The SOCOM, or the Mark 23 as it’s known, puts the tact in tactical. Even when it first appeared in the primitive 3D graphics of the original PlayStation, the SOCOM was still the best-looking weapon in the first Metal Gear Solid. It didn’t matter if you were trying to take down enemies stealthily or got caught in a firefight—this firearm has proven useful in nearly every combat situation.
The SOCOM made its return in MGS 2, and another can be located in the ruins of Shadow Moses during MGS 4. It may not have the punch of a rocket launcher or the speed of a high-frequency blade, but the suppressed SOCOM will always be the symbolic weapon of the Metal Gear franchise. Because when players envision Solid Snake, he’s always pictured with his sneaking suit, his iconic bandanna, and carrying his trusty SOCOM with an attached suppressor.
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1
3.5/5
- Released
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October 24, 2023
- ESRB
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M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Partial Nudity, Sexual Themes, Violence
- Engine
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Unity