Konami Pulls Metal Gear Solid Games From Sale
We've waved goodbye to Solid Snake, as Konami has pulled copies of several Metal Gear games from sale. Let's be honest, the Metal Gear games haven't exactly been great for a while, and with the series bowing out (for now) in 2015's Metal Gear V: The Phantom Pain, we're rightly asking what's next.
There are plenty of ideas about where Metal Gear could go next, while some think Sony's Abandoned is a secret MGS game. Further throwing fuel on the fire that something is going on behind the screens, Konami has removed Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 from digital storefronts.
Why Has Konami Removed Metal Gear Solid From Sale?
Konami has issued confirmation that Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater will no longer be available for sale. Looking at the bigger picture, this will affect digital version of the 2001 and 2004 games. This means *deep breath*, the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, PlayStation Vita, and Nvidia Shield TV remasters, Nintendo 3DS version of Snake Eater, the GOG re-release of Sons of Liberty and the HD Collection on PlayStation Now are all MIA.
Konami has confirmed it is trying to renew licenses for "historical archive footage". Konami continued, "We sincerely ask for your patience and understanding as we work towards making these products available for purchase once again". Even though there's no confirmed date of when the games will be back, Konami promised the move is only temporary.
What's The Latest With Metal Gear Solid?
Although Konami has painted a pretty picture that this isn't a big deal, there could be more to the story. Both games use real-life footage from the 20th Century to help ground their storylines. Removing these might not sound like a big deal, but just like when GTA: Vice City couldn't gain rights to all its music, the game returned to PC missing 10 of its best songs. Konami could always stick a "scene missing" placeholder into the MGS series.
Remembering that MGS 2 is celebrating its 20th anniversary on November 13, it's likely Konami hasn't managed to cut a deal on a 20-year license and is preempting a strike. Footage in the games range from John F. Kennedy to the Cold War, and it's not just a few scenes either.
Some hopeful fans thought Konami was pulling the games in anticipation of more titles/remasters. Before Rockstar finally announced the GTA Trilogy, Take-Two went on the assault, pulling mods and HD remasters of the games - presumably so they didn't look better than the real deal. Sadly, there's no news on when/how Solid Snake will be back on our screens.