Konami is preparing to release Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 this August, but the package won’t include a feature many fans of the original Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots likely took for granted: Metal Gear Online. The omission, confirmed by Konami on its official website, signals a pragmatic approach to re-releasing older online components, even within a comprehensive collection.
The original iteration of Metal Gear Online launched alongside MGS4 in June 2008, offering a robust multiplayer experience that extended the game’s narrative and gameplay into a persistent online world. Players could engage in team deathmatch and other standard modes, but also participate in unique scenarios, including one where a player controlled Old Snake. The service ultimately ended in 2012, after receiving several post-launch expansions.
Bringing back that specific version of Metal Gear Online appears to have presented significant hurdles for Konami. The complexities of reviving and maintaining older online infrastructure, coupled with potential licensing or technical challenges, likely factored into the decision. However, the collection won’t be entirely devoid of multiplayer functionality. Konami has confirmed that Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, also included in the collection, will support online multiplayer, offering both Co-Ops and Versus Ops modes for two to six players.
The inclusion of Peace Walker’s multiplayer is a notable concession to fans who value the series’ online component. Co-Ops mode promises classic team-based gameplay within the Big Boss era, allowing players to tackle missions collaboratively. Versus Ops caters to a more competitive audience, offering matches for up to six players. Notably, local wireless play will be available for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 versions of the collection.
Beyond the multiplayer considerations, Konami is implementing several enhancements to the core Metal Gear Solid 4 experience. The updated version will feature improved internal resolution, an increased maximum framerate and customizable controls, addressing some long-standing requests from the fanbase. While the extent of visual adjustments for Peace Walker remains unclear, it will also benefit from customizable controls. A bonus title, Ghost Babel, a Game Boy Color entry from 2000, will receive screen filters, pixel-perfect screen settings, a rewind function, and custom controls, though its two-player Vs. Battle mode will not be returning.
The release of Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 is slated for , across PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X | S. Pre-orders will unlock the Cardboard Camouflage for MGS4 and the Love Box uniform for Peace Walker. Players who possess save data from Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 will also receive the Gold Camouflage and Gold uniform as a bonus.
The launch of the first Master Collection was reportedly rocky, and Konami has stated it is taking steps to avoid similar issues with this second volume. The company is also actively updating the multiplayer experience for Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater with its Fox Hunt mode, demonstrating a continued commitment to the series’ online presence.
The decision to exclude Metal Gear Online from Master Collection Vol. 2 underscores the practical challenges of preserving and re-releasing older online games. While disappointing for some, the inclusion of Peace Walker’s multiplayer and the enhancements to MGS4 suggest Konami is attempting to strike a balance between nostalgia and modern expectations. The collection’s success will likely hinge on how effectively it delivers a polished and engaging experience for both longtime fans and newcomers to the iconic stealth-action franchise.
