Metal Gear Battle is a fighting video game developed by Mad Man Ninja Studios and published by Konami. It is a spiritual successor to the Metal Gear series and features many of the same characters from the latter.
The game was released for PlayStation 4 and 5 in January 2023, with ports for Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series S/X, Switch and Arcade released the following November.
Gameplay[]
Metal Gear Battle is a fighting video game played in a 2.5D environment. Battles take place in closed arenas, which vary in size and width. The gameplay is different from previous games of the series, adapting the universe and characters to a fighting game ambience.
Included, super cancels, juggling, and running mechanics. Additionally, the game features ground chain combos, an auto-combo system, and an optional progressive mode that simplifies command inputs. Metal Gear Battle also introduces Gougi Boost, which grants players additional bonuses and enhancements during a match.
Characters[]
The Metal Gear franchise features a large number of characters created by Hideo Kojima and designed by Yoji Shinkawa. Its setting features several soldiers with supernatural powers provided by the new advancements of science.
Metal Gear Battle was released with 21 playable characters, all of whom made appearances in the Metal Gear series of games.
| Character Name | First Appearance |
|---|---|
|
Metal Gear |
|
Metal Gear Solid |
|
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty |
|
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater |
|
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker |
|
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain |
Stages[]
- Shadow Moses Island Research Facility: The main location of Metal Gear Solid, an island that is part of the Fox Archipelago lying southwest of mainland Alaska in the Bering Sea. A nuclear weapons disposal facility located on Shadow Moses secretly doubled as a massive weapons development complex.
- Zanzibar Island: a heavily fortified landlocked state in Central Asia, located between the former Soviet Union, China, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
- Outer Heaven: a fully independent nation located 200 kilometers north of Galzburg, South Africa, provides a sanctuary for disillusioned soldiers, ensuring they always have a place, whether on the battlefield or in society at large.
- Dite: a mysterious world set in an alternate dimension. Appearing to be a remote and desolate wasteland, Dite was mostly populated by lethal humanoid creatures known as the Wanderers and a few human survivors, among other creatures such as sheep.
- San Hieronymo Peninsula: known locally as La Península de los Muertos (Spanish for "The Peninsula of the Dead"), is a peninsula located on the coast of central Colombia, almost directly south of Cuba, and in close proximity to the Barranquilla Coast. During the Cold War, it was the site of a top-secret Soviet missile base.
- Shabhazabad Air Base: an American-owned air base located in Pakistan hosting a variety of aircraft and vehicles, including at least two tiltrotor aircraft, as well as two jumbo jets.
- Lobito Physics and Chemistry Laboratory: a massive research complex owned by the company known as BEAGLE located in Moloni Republic was a country in southern Africa,
Reception[]
Metal Gear Battle received a warm reception from both critics and fans, praised for successfully reimagining the iconic Metal Gear universe within the fighting game genre. Though some aspects garnered mixed feedback, the game's mechanics, character adaptation, and innovative features received widespread appreciation.
Heidi Kemps of GameSpot awarded the game a 9/10, commending its robust fighting mechanics and the seamless integration of the Gougi Boost system, which added strategic depth and variety to matches. The visually stunning cutscenes triggered by character-specific moves and interactions were another highlight, as they preserved the cinematic flair of the original Metal Gear games while enhancing the overall experience. Kemps particularly noted that the game managed to maintain the essence of the Metal Gear franchise while crafting a new identity as a fighting game.
Chris Carter of Destructoid gave the game an 8/10, lauding its vibrant character designs and smooth, natural combat flow. Carter also emphasized how well the game blended classic Metal Gear aesthetics with fast-paced, competitive gameplay, making it appealing to both franchise veterans and fighting game enthusiasts. However, Carter pointed out that while the Progressive mode simplifies inputs, it may not be as rewarding for those who prefer mastering complex mechanics.
Fans of the Metal Gear series embraced the game’s large roster of iconic characters, with many praising the faithful recreation of their personalities and fighting styles. The inclusion of deep cuts, such as Code Talker and Skull Face, alongside beloved figures like Solid Snake and Raiden, resonated with longtime fans. Fans praised the game's arenas for their attention to detail and atmosphere, drawing inspiration from iconic Metal Gear locations such as Shadow Moses Island and Outer Heaven.
Players expressed enthusiasm for the game’s unique blend of 2.5D fighting mechanics and the cinematic elements Metal Gear is known for. However, some fans critiqued the relative lack of newcomers to the roster, with the majority of fighters being legacy characters. A few players also felt that the Gougi Boost system, while innovative, could sometimes create balance issues in competitive play, especially when used by experienced players to dominate matches. The game performed well commercially, with strong initial sales on PlayStation platforms and a resurgence in interest following the release of ports for other platforms in November 2023. The combination of cross-platform availability and the enduring popularity of the Metal Gear franchise contributed to the game's sustained success, particularly in Japan and North America.
Critics hailed Metal Gear Battle as a bold experiment that successfully transitioned the franchise into a new genre. Its critical and commercial success prompted discussions about the potential for sequels or spin-offs that further explore the series’ characters in non-traditional formats. The game also became a popular fixture in competitive fighting game circuits, with its accessible mechanics and stylish presentation making it a crowd favorite at tournaments.
Trivia[]
- The characters from the Metal Gear series have been well received by gamers with Solid Snake and Raiden appearing in a Famitsu poll that listed the fifty best video game characters; while the former was at the top, the latter was 42nd.
- Hideo Kojima, the creator of the Metal Gear series, makes a hidden appearance in Metal Gear Battle. In the Shadow Moses Island stage, players can spot a digital poster of Kojima with the tagline, "The Man Who Never Left," a playful nod to his legacy with the franchise.
- Hollywood actor Oscar Isaac, set to portray Solid Snake in the upcoming Metal Gear Solid film adaptation, publicly praised the game on social media, calling it "a masterclass in adapting the spirit of Snake to a whole new genre."
- When Solid Snake and Raiden face off in a match, Snake sarcastically quips, "Still stealing my spotlight, kid?". He is referring to Raiden's controversial lead role in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty.
- The game includes a delightful customization feature that allows players to unlock Codec-style pre-fight banter between characters, delivering hilarious and lore-rich dialogues like Ocelot flirting with Sniper Wolf or Big Boss questioning Psycho Mantis’s sense of strategy.
- Metal Gear Battle earned a Guinness World Record for the "Most Iconic Characters in a Fighting Game," thanks to its roster packed with fan-favorite personalities from across the Metal Gear franchise.
- In a nod to the game’s blend of action and wrestling influences, the in-game announcer sometimes introduces Venom Snake as "The Phantom Wrestler," referencing both his nickname and the game’s theatrical combat style.
- After the game’s release, fan polls exploded with demands for crossovers with other franchises, including Street Fighter and Tekken. This led to a viral meme imagining Solid Snake suplexing Ryu, dubbed "The Tactical Grapple."
- By completing an arduous secret challenge, players can unlock Metal Gear REX as a playable fighter. While slow and bulky, REX has devastating ranged attacks that make it a powerhouse in skilled hands.
- The game’s post-credit sequence hints at the return of "The Patriots" in a cryptic message, sparking wild fan theories about how their legacy might be integrated into future spin-offs.
- The game's remixed Metal Gear themes, combined with its original electronic tracks, led to a cult following for the soundtrack. It even inspired a real-world orchestral tour called "Metal Melodies: Battle Symphony."
- During battles against Zero, the AI occasionally breaks the fourth wall, commenting, "You think Kojima planned all this?"—a cheeky nod to the series' complex and often debated plotlines.
- Big Boss’s ultimate move, "The Snake Eater Slam," includes a dramatic slow-motion sequence where he recreates the iconic ladder climb from Metal Gear Solid 3, finishing with a devastating suplex.
- If Meryl and Johnny are on opposite teams during a tag match, their win animation includes a comical romantic exchange that mirrors their playful dynamic from Metal Gear Solid 4.
- In a humorous Easter egg, Snake can use a taunt where he briefly contacts the Smash Bros. Codec, jokingly asking, "Why wasn’t I invited back to the tournament?" referencing his one-time appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
- The game became a surprising hit in the esports scene, with commentators coining the phrase "Metal Mayhem" for high-stakes tournaments due to the Gougi Boost mechanics adding unpredictable twists.