Metal Gear Solid HD Collection

Metal Gear Solid HD Collection
Developer(s)	Kojima Productions[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)	Konami
Director(s)	Hideo Kojima
Producer(s)	Hideo Kojima
Artist(s)	Yoji Shinkawa
Series	Metal Gear
Platform(s)	PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita
Release date(s)	PS3 & Xbox 360 NA: November 8, 2011 JP: November 23, 2011 EU: February 3, 2012 AUS: February 16, 2012 PS Vita NA: June 12, 2012 JP: June 28, 2012 EU: June 29, 2012[1] AUS: July 5, 2012
Genre(s)	Action-adventure, stealth
Mode(s)	Single-player

Metal Gear Solid HD Collection is a compilation of remastered ports of Metal Gear video games released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2011 and PlayStation Vita in 2012. The compilation contains Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater on all three platforms, plus Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker on the home console versions, with the individual games all branded as HD Edition. For the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, Bluepoint Games handled the conversions of Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3, while Genki worked on Peace Walker. The PS Vita version of the compilation was ported by Armature Studio.

The Japanese release of the compilation, titled Metal Gear Solid HD Edition, did not include Peace Walker on the home console versions, which was instead given a stand-alone retail release on PS3 and Xbox 360 in the region. To compensate for the separate releases, the Japanese PS3 versions of both, the compilation and the stand-alone Peace Walker release, included voucher codes for additional downloadable games on their first print run - the former included a code for the original Metal Gear Solid, while the latter included a code for the original PlayStation Portable version of Peace Walker.^{[lower-alpha 2]}

Following the release of the retail compilations, the HD Edition-branded versions of all three games were later released as digital downloads on the Xbox Live Marketplace and PlayStation Store. The digital versions of Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 were released on August 21, 2012 as a bundle on the Xbox 360 and individually on PS3 and PS Vita, while Peace Walker was released for the Xbox 360 and PS3 on August 28, 2012, along with a full digital bundle of all three games exclusively for PS3.

Games

• Metal Gear^{[lower-alpha 3]}
• Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake^{[lower-alpha 3]}
• Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
• Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker^{[lower-alpha 4]}

Features

The core play mechanics and story for all games remains unchanged with the HD Editions. For the remastering, all three games underwent graphics overhaul to allow them to support modern 720p resolution and 60fps framerate on home consoles,and qHD resolution on PS Vita. The PS3 and PS Vita versions have Trophy support, while the Xbox 360 versions include Achievements.^[2]

The controls for each game have been modified to suit the different configurations of each platform. Since the Xbox 360 and PS Vita version lack the pressure-sensitive buttons featured on the PS2 controllers, the ability to aim and lower a firearm without firing it in Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 are assigned to a specific button instead in those versions (either, by pressing the left stick on the Xbox 360 controller or by pressing the d-pad down on the PS Vita). The PS Vita versions in particular makes use of the touch screen and touch pad for various functions such as item/weapon selection, zooming in or out with the binoculars or peeking out of walls during corner view. The console versions of Peace Walker feature dual analog controls, allowing players to control the camera or their aim with the right stick.

Most of the additional features and content that were present in the Substance and Subsistence editions of the games have been ported to the HD Editions as well.^[3] These include the VR/Alternative Missions, Snake Tales and Casting Theater modes for Metal Gear Solid 2, plus the third-person camera view and Demo Theater for Metal Gear Solid 3. The MSX2 versions of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake are also included, accessible from the main menu in Metal Gear Solid 3, with all the changes and additions made in the Subsistence versions.

The PS3 and Vita versions of Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 have a "Transfarring" feature, which allows users to transfer their save file between both platforms via a Wi-Fi connection or through a cloud storage, allowing continuous play of the same save file on a different platform.^[4] The PS3 version of Peace Walker have a similar connectivity with the PSP version of the game, allowing the transferring of save files through a USB connection.

Releases

The Zavvi exclusive Limited Edition for the UK and Europe, before revealed as Ultimate HD Edition and Ultimate HD Collection.

On August 15, 2011, UK retailer Zavvi secured the exclusive right to sell the Metal Gear Solid: Ultimate HD Collection, exclusively available for the PS3, which was set to see only 4,000 copies manufactured worldwide and would be released on November 25. It would include the HD Collection, and the Ultimate version would add to the package with the PS3 game Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, a download code for Metal Gear Solid and five exclusive art cards. The contents would come in a single steel book packaging.^[5] However, on November 25, it disappeared from Zavvi without explanation.^[6] On November 30, Zavvi changed the name from Ultimate HD Collection to Ultimate HD Edition, and announced that its altered the contents of its advertised Metal Gear Solid: HD Ultimate Edition set. Zavvi sent out an email to all customers holding an order for the edition, explaining that Konami has "advised of a change to the contents" of the set. The edition would include variant Metal Gear Solid steel book, an exclusive Metal Gear Solid T-shirt and an exclusive 250 page premium art book showcasing the artwork of Yoji Shinkawa. All those who pre-ordered the previous edition before it was cancelled also receive a Platinum copy of Metal Gear Solid 4. Zavvi's site also has a listing for an Xbox 360 version of the revised Ultimate Edition, making it no longer exclusive for the PS3.^[7] On December 7, Zavvi renamed the edition to Metal Gear Solid HD Collection Limited Edition, and revealed that 6000 copies of the PS3 version and 4000 copies of the Xbox 360 version are available for pre-order. In total 8000 (PS3) and 5000 (360) units are being made worldwide.^[8]

A North American Limited Edition for the HD Collection became available alongside the standard release. The Limited Edition includes specialized packaging created by Yoji Shinkawa, the series' lead artist, and an exclusive, 248-page art book titled The Art of Metal Gear Solid.^[9]

A Japanese Premium Package for both the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection and the separate (Japan-only) HD conversion of Peace Walker is also released. The Peace Walker package includes the game, a Snake figure and CD featuring vocal tracks. The Limited Edition of Metal Gear Solid HD Edition will include a copy of the game, an illustration from series artist Yoji Shinkawa, a copy of The Art of Metal Gear Solid The Original Trilogy, and the soundtrack. Paying extra, players receive Metal Gear Solid 2 and Metal Gear Solid 3 mugs, headphones and bags. Paying extra for the Peace Walker package includes a Peace Walker mug and a Kazuhira Miller Play Arts Kai figure.^[10]

On April 22, 2013, Konami announced a new collection, Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection, exclusive to PS3. This later collection included all three games in the HD Collection, along with Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots on a second disc and voucher codes or the original Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid: VR Missions. The Legacy Collection was released in North America on July 9, 2013, and in Japan on July 11, 2013.^[11] The European version was released on September 13, 2013.^[12]

Reception

Metal Gear Solid HD Collection received critical acclaim upon release. Review aggregators GameRankings and Metacritic gave the PS3 version 90% and 89/100,^[13][17] the Xbox 360 version 88% and 90/100^[14][16] and the PS Vita version 83% and 81/100^[15][18]

In December 2011, the game received the award for "Best HD Remake of 2011" from TeamXbox, with Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary as the runner-up.^[27] In a feature article regarding games collections, 1UP listed Metal Gear Solid HD Collection as "The Closest We've Come to Perfection" owing to the improved quality its games were given.^[28]

In 2014, the Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition listed Metal Gear Solid HD Collection as the highest rated HD video game compilation.

Notes

References

External links

• Official site for HD Editions at Kojima Productions
• Metal Gear Solid HD Collection at Konami.com
• Metal Gear Solid HD Collection at PlayStation.com
• Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection on the Metal Gear Wiki, an external wiki