 | Digital Release | PlayStation 3 December 08, 2011 (JP) [as HD Edition] August 28, 2012 (NA) September 26, 2012 (EU) PlayStation Vita June 12, 2012 (NA) June 14, 2012 (KO) June 28, 2012 (EU, JP) July 05, 2012 (AU) |
| Delisting | November 11 - 18, 2021 | |
| Developer | Konami | |
| Publisher | Konami | |
| Available On | Retail PlayStation 3 PlayStation Vita |
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| Links | Metal Gear Solid - The Legacy Collection homepage (JP) PlayStation Blog announcement post |
Delisting
Konami announced on November 7th, 2021 that all current digital versions of Metal Gear Solid 2 and Metal Gear Solid 3, along with any bundles that include them, would begin to be removed from marketplaces starting on November 8th. The actual timing of their delistings varied by platform and storefront:
- GOG.com announced on November 12th that Metal Gear Solid 2 Substance would be removed from their platform on November 15th
- The individual versions of the games on PlayStation 3 and Vita were delisted between November 11th and 18th. A bundle that included both titles was still available until closer to November 20th
- The Xbox 360’s “HD Edition” that included both games was delisted on November 18th
- The streaming PS Now version of the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection was reportedly removed from the service before the end of November
- Metal Gear Solid 3 on Nintendo 3DS was not removed until December 1st
- It is uncertain exactly when the Shield TV versions (MGS2, MGS3) were delisted but it likely occurred in this same late-November time frame
Konami explained at the time that licenses around “select historical archive footage” had expired and the games were being temporarily delisted while the company worked to renew them. Both games’ end credits include a special thanks to Tohokushinsha Film Corporation. While the company also provides translation and dubbing services for games, they are a 60-year-old film distributor partly owned by both Toei and the Tokyo Broadcasting Company. It seems likely that this is where the licensed footage came from. Tohokushinsha is still in operation today but the licensing process in Japan is exceedingly complicated. As of late April 2022 the games remain delisted and Konami has issued no update on the situation. Konami’s original announcement from November 7th follows:
Thank you for playing the METAL GEAR series. We are currently working on renewing the licenses for select historical archive footage used in-game, therefore, we have made the temporary decision to begin suspending the sale of METAL GEAR SOLID 2, METAL GEAR SOLID 3 and all products that include these games from digital storefronts globally starting from November 8th, 2021.
We sincerely ask for your patience and understanding as we work towards making these products available for purchase once again. Thank you for your continued support of the METAL GEAR series.
Which products will be temporarily removed?
・PlayStation®3 METAL GEAR SOLID 2 SONS OF LIBERTY HD EDITION
・PlayStation®3 METAL GEAR SOLID HD EDITION
・PlayStation®Vita METAL GEAR SOLID 3 SNAKE EATER HD EDITION
・PlayStation™Now METAL GEAR SOLID HD COLLECTION
・Nintendo 3DS METAL GEAR SOLID SNAKE EATER 3D
・NVIDIA® SHIELD™ METAL GEAR SOLID 2 HD for SHIELD TV*Some of the above titles are not available in some countries and regions
Konami announcement – November 7th, 2021
About the Game
In addition to the enhanced, high-definition visuals, all titles in the collection will support trophies and achievements, marking another first in the series!
METAL GEAR SOLID 3: SNAKE EATER opens the set, with series hero Snake entering a Soviet jungle where intelligence reports a vital scientist is being held captive. Set in the 60s of the Cold War, SNAKE EATER sees Snake using his stealth abilities in a whole new locale – under the cover of the jungle foliage where various camo fatigues can be used to sneak into areas undiscovered. The riveting plot then reveals a familiar face from Snake’s past at its centre.
METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER takes place a decade later and details the operations of Big Boss in Costa Rica. The year is 1974, and Costa Rica has been overrun by an organization of highly-trained mercenaries. Working with a squad of neutral troops, Snake soon uncovers a CIA plot, and becomes embroiled in a mission to thwart a nuclear threat.
The timeline then moves on to METAL GEAR SOLID 2: SONS OF LIBERTY, which is set in modern times and marks Raiden’s first appearance in the series. Solid Snake and Otacon receive intel that a new kind of METAL GEAR vehicle is being transported across the Hudson River. Snake infiltrates the tanker, which is then seized by a group of Russian mercenaries lead by Revolver Ocelot. Two years pass, and a new terrorist faction calling themselves The Sons of Liberty have taken over the Big Shell base. New Fox Hound operative, Raiden, is sent to investigate.