Snake deserves better than a re-release of a decade-old game but it is what it is.
- Konami’s recent disclosure about the resolution and frame rates for Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 has elicited mixed reactions from fans.
- The lack of 4K support across all platforms, given the capabilities of modern systems and the age of the titles, has disappointed many.
- This announcement, coupled with reported potential up-conversion from 720p, has led some to reconsider their purchase.
With the release of Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 just over a month away, many people are excited to visit Shadow Moses, New York, and Tselinoyarsk once more. The community has responded differently to Konami’s new statement about the collection’s resolution and frame rates, though.
In a recent update, Konami formally disclosed the desired resolution and framerate for every game, depending on the platform, on the official Metal Gear Solid Master Collection website. You can expect 1920 x 1080 pixels at 30 frames per second for Metal Gear Solid on the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 (including PS4 Pro), Xbox Series S/X, or Steam. While the TV Mode maintains consistency with other platforms, giving 1920 1080 resolution at 30 frames per second, the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode only offers a slightly different resolution of 1280 1080 at 30 frames per second.
All platforms, with the exception of the Nintendo Switch in handheld mode, will experience an increase in frame rate while switching to Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, reaching 60 FPS while preserving the 1920 x 1080 resolution. The specifications for the Switch’s handheld mode, which runs at 30 frames per second at 1280 x 1080 resolution, are the same as those of the original game.
Finally, the specifications of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater match those of the second game. The game runs at 1920 x 1080 resolution at 60 frames per second on all platforms except the Switch, which runs at 1280 x 1080 resolution at 30 frames per second when in handheld mode.
As you can see, not a single title is accessible on every platform at 4K quality. Konami did, however, previously clarify that the impending bundle is “outdated.” Not to add, compared to the earlier disclosures, the new details are an improvement.
Never did Konami lie. In essence, the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 is a contemporary reimagining of the classic Metal Gear Solid HD collection that was once playable on the PS3 and Xbox 360.
Even though fans would really like something more, Konami is unable to bear the enormous risk. Perhaps a better port, if not a full remake, of the original two Metal Gear Solid games will appear once the game launches and does well in the marketplace. We’ll have to make do with what we have for the time being, though.
Regrettably, not all fans are that kind. It is yet unclear whether Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 will withstand another review bombing campaign or not.
It’s evident that many people still have a particular spot in their hearts for the Metal Gear series. There were strong expectations that Konami would treat Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 with the same amount of care and attention as other venerable game compilations. Sadly, that did not occur. Konami is placing a lot of faith in nostalgia to sustain the collection. However, perhaps the upcoming collection—which is likely to include Metal Gear Solid IV: Guns of the Patriot—won’t be such a shoddy reissue if the public lets their wallets speak and Konami pays attention.
It remains to be seen if the requirements will have an impact on sales. However, it appears that fans are not happy with Konami’s news for the time being.