Sites

Metal Gear Solid

metalgearsolid.com

Snapshot date: 18th October 2000

As you can see there's hardly anything left of this site - almost all the image links are broken and the page links that still work lead to similarly empty pages.

The site mentions use of Flash, so presumably that big empty box would have done something once.

Fun fact: by 2002 the metalgearsolid.com URL lead to something called the " Well Hung Forums" before Konami turned it into a redirect to their general Metal Gear Solid series site by 2004. Can't imagine why.

Metal Gear: Ghost Babel

konami.jp/gs/game/ghostbabel/english/index.html

Snapshot date: 16th June 2007

A small site but with a neat design with pages introducing the story, providing some brief character information and showing off those beautiful Yoji Shinkawa takes on the character art.

For some reason the Japanese site is the only one to actually talk about the gameplay, introducing the story mode, VR training, and VS battle modes. It also features proper biographies for the characters, who are only given a list of basic stats without any real introduction.

Metal Gear Solid 2

konami.jp/gs/game/mgs2/english/index.html

Snapshot date: 25th September 2005

This one is impressively intact with no noticeably missing assets and has the perfect layout for a game with such an interest in representing the digital age.

This site remained accessible until 2018, when it was updated to redirect to Konami's page for the HD Collection which we'll discuss further down the page.

The Japanese version of this site featuring a few extra pages can be found here.

The Document of Metal Gear Solid 2

konami.jp/gs/game/mgs2_doc/english/index.html

Snapshot date: 8th December 2005

A promotional preview of the contents of The Document of Metal Gear Solid 2.

This page included looks at 3D models, cutscenes, and miscellaneous materials from development, though none of the Javascript functions anymore leaving all of it completely unusable. Nothing lost in this case though, it's all still there on the DVD.

The Japanese version can be viewed here.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance

konami.jp/gs/game/mgs2/english/index.html

Snapshot date: 24th November 2005

A much less flashy site for Substance that mostly provides some brief information about the various modes available in the game.

This site also allowed users to input their mission records using the code provided at the end of a playthrough and view them at any time.

The Japanese version of this site is practically identical, but can be found here.

Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes

konami.jp/gs/game/mgs_tts/english/index.html

Snapshot date: 21st December 2005

Just as over the top and borderline pretentious as everything surrounding The Twin Snakes.

Alongside the detailed character and story pages, there's also an in-depth look at cutscene director Ryuhei Kitamura and the inside of Silicon Knights. Denis Dyack threatens Scott Dolph with various weapons. Because of course he does.

The Japanese version of this site can be found here.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

konami.jp/gs/game/mgs3/english/index.html

Snapshot date: 7th April 2005

Another nicely themed little site with story and character information, as well as trailers and information on currently available downloadable camouflage patterns.

The Secret Theatre videos were available on here, locked behind a quiz that's now sadly inaccessible.

The Japanese version of this site, featuring many more news topics and camo designs, can be found here.

Metal Gear Acid

konami.jp/gs/game/mga/english/index.html

Snapshot date: 6th July 2007

A very stylish for the first Acid game, featuring some lengthy story explanations and highlighting the lovely character art - particularly with the downloadable wallpapers.

The Japanese version of this site includes a detailed developer diary from the character designers, showing off lots of concept art. There are also more items in the news section, including the announcement of a collaboration with a gravure magazine. Because it's Metal Gear.

Check out the Japanese site here.

Metal Gear Acid 2

konami.jp/gs/game/mga2/america/index2.html

Snapshot date: 22nd April 2006

A fun example of web design's evolution - where the first Acid had a very simple layout this one uses a ton of Flash, plays music and sound effects, and even had a functioning countdown until launch.

There's an earlier version of this site available here with a lot of empty space in it - this would quickly become a redirect to the more interactive site.

The Japanese version can be found here.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence

konami.jp/gs/game/mgs3_sub/america/index.html

Snapshot date: 21st June 2009

This site actually has two separate versions, the initial (very barebones) layout from before the game's release and a more complete revision used after launch.

The site provides a very detailed look at all the features from each disc, even including a whole page on the Ape Escape crossover.

The Japanese version of this site is available here.

Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel

konami.jp/gs/game/mgs_dgn/index_en.html

Snapshot date: 3rd September 2006

A nicely themed site that renders incredibly small for some reason so it isn't much fun to read.

It shows off the features of the Digital Graphic Novel well despite this, with screenshots and trailers to boot. There's also a little preview of the comic itself, hilariously also too small to comfortably read despite being nothing more than a JPG displayed through HTML.

No Japanese version seems to exist of this site.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

konami.jp/gs/game/mpo/top-en.html

Snapshot date: 17th February 2007

Incredible design, using the PSP as a container for videos on the main pages, implementing animations, music, sound effects, and even a randomly selected texture for the background of the main page on each page load.

The extra pages include character bios, wallpapers, and concept art for Metal Gear RAXA.

The Japanese version of this site lets you select the colour of the PSP shown on the homepage and is available here.

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus

konami.jp/gs/game/mpo+/en/top.html

Snapshot date: 16th October 2007

An absolute delight of a site that begins with you creating an ID, receiving a fully-voiced codec call from Snake informing you the site's content can only be accessed through shooting Kerotans across the homepage.

Frankly an astounding level of care to promote a game like this and now I miss the 2000s even more.

The Japanese version of this site (featuring Akio Otsuka in place of David Hayter, of course) can be found here.

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

konami.jp/mgs4/us/top.html

Snapshot date: 2nd October 2009

Unfortunately this site seems pretty much inaccessible, it relies heavily on Flash elements which both render too small to read and don't finish loading.

It is still possible to access the Japanese news pages and a three part interview with Hideo Kojima, and pages to promote the game's various collaborations in Japan can be found here.

Metal Gear Online

konami.jp/mgo/jp/hd/index.php

Snapshot date: 19th July 2012

This site is almost entirely inaccessible in English due to some very persistent redirects and broken age gating, so the above link goes to the Japanese site which still works normally.

The site provides information about the gameplay, and was also used to announce events and for hosting MGO EYES, an online column ran by Kojima Productions staff.

The English site is available here, it'll immediately try to redirect you so press ESC as soon as you see it load.

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

konami.jp/mgs_pw/jp/index.html

Snapshot date: 15th August 2015

I'll be linking the Japanese version of the site here because the English site is missing almost all of its content.

Lots of detail about the gameplay, Flash elements introducing the characters and AI weapons, and even an extensive catalogue of tie-in merch. The trailer links don't work anymore, but I've got you covered.

The English site can be viewed here.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

konami.jp/mgr/jp/index.html

Snapshot date: 15th August 2015

Another site where I'm linking you the Japanese version primarily for the same reasons as the above two.

This site confusingly also has two revisions, you can find the older (plainer) one here. There's a lot to look at on the newer one, including a 4 panel manga series and a link to Platinum's development blog.

The English site can be viewed here, be sure to press ESC after it loads.

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

konami.jp/mgr/jp/index.html

Snapshot date: 15th August 2015

Another site where I'm linking you the Japanese version primarily for the same reasons as the above two.

This site confusingly also has two revisions, you can find the older (plainer) one here. There's a lot to look at on the newer one, including a 4 panel manga series and a link to Platinum's development blog.

The English site can be viewed here, be sure to press ESC after it loads.