Hideo Kojima has redefined the landscape of video gaming with his innovative storytelling, complex characters, and unique game design. Over his career spanning more than three decades, Kojima has delivered numerous critically acclaimed titles that continue to influence the gaming industry. We dive into his illustrious career, exploring every game he has been involved in and highlighting what makes each of them special.

1986 – Penguin Adventure

Before Kojima became synonymous with the Metal Gear series, he worked as an assistant designer on Penguin Adventure. This action-adventure game is a sequel to Antarctic Adventure and marked Kojima’s first foray into game development. Players guide a penguin named Penta on a journey to retrieve a magical golden apple to save a penguin princess. Despite its simplicity, Penguin Adventure introduced innovative elements like branching paths and RPG-like mechanics, hinting at Kojima’s future penchant for groundbreaking design.

Platform - MSX
Genre - Action-adventure
Key Features - Multiple endings, power-ups, RPG elements

penguin adventure konami — Penguin Adventure│© Konami

1987 – Metal Gear

Released on the MSX2, Metal Gear was Hideo Kojima’s first major project where he served as a director, designer, and writer. The game introduced the world to the stealth genre, revolutionizing how players approached combat in video games. Instead of head-on battles, players were encouraged to utilize stealth and cunning to achieve their objectives. The success of Metal Gear laid the foundation for Kojima’s career and set the stage for future installments.

Platform - MSX2, later ported to NES
Genre - Stealth action
Key Features - Tactical espionage, non-linear gameplay, intricate storyline

Still from Metal Gear — Metal Gear│© Konami

1988 – Snatcher

Kojima’s foray into the cyberpunk genre, Snatcher is a graphic adventure game that echoes the aesthetics of films like Blade Runner and Akira. The game focuses on Gillian Seed, a detective tasked with hunting down “Snatchers,” humanoid robots posing as humans. Known for its deep narrative and mature themes, Snatcher is regarded as a cult classic and a milestone in narrative-driven gaming.

Platform - PC-8801, MSX2, later on Sega CD and others
Genre - Graphic adventure, visual novel
Key Features - Strong storytelling, futuristic setting, interactive gameplay

snatcher hideo kojima konami — Snatcher│© Konami

1990 – Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake continued the legacy of its predecessor, introducing more intricate gameplay mechanics and a richer storyline. Developed for the MSX2, this sequel improved enemy AI and featured new stealth mechanics. The game was released exclusively in Japan initially, expanding the world of Metal Gear with more complex plot elements and character development.

Platform - MSX2
Genre - Stealth action
Key Features - Enhanced AI, improved graphics, expanded narrative

metal gear 2 solid snake gameplay — Metal Gear Solid 2│© Konami

1994 – Policenauts

Another narrative-rich game from Kojima, Policenauts is a hard sci-fi graphic adventure set in space. The game deals with themes of humanity, justice, and the future of human civilization. Known for its cinematic storytelling and complex characters, Policenauts continues to be a significant part of Kojima’s oeuvre.

Platform - PC-9821, PlayStation, Sega Saturn
Genre - Graphic adventure
Key Features - Sci-fi setting, interactive narrative, film noir influences

policenauts hideo kojima konami — Policenauts│© Konami

1998 – Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear Solid marked Kojima’s first foray into 3D gaming and became a landmark title for the PlayStation. With innovative gameplay mechanics, cinematic storytelling, and fully voiced characters, it set a new standard for video games. The game follows Solid Snake on a mission to stop a terrorist group from launching a nuclear strike. Its success cemented Kojima’s reputation as a master storyteller in gaming.

Platform - PlayStation
Genre - Stealth action
Key Features - Full 3D graphics, cinematic cutscenes, deep narrative

Metal gear solid hideo kojima konami — Metal Gear Solid│© Konami

2001 – Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

With the release of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Kojima pushed the boundaries of storytelling and gameplay. Known for its plot twist of switching protagonists from Solid Snake to Raiden, the game was a critical and commercial success. The innovative AI, environmental effects, and philosophical themes elevated it as a masterpiece on the PlayStation 2.

Platform - PlayStation 2
Genre - Stealth action
Key Features - Advanced AI, protagonist switch, philosophical narrative

metal gear solid 2 gameplay hideo kojima konami — Metal Gear Solid 2│© Konami

2003 – Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand

Venturing into handheld gaming, Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand was an innovative Game Boy Advance title that integrated a real-world element—a light sensor in the cartridge. Players used sunlight to power weapons and solve puzzles, showcasing Kojima’s creativity and willingness to experiment.

Platform - Game Boy Advance
Genre - Action RPG
Key Features - Sunlight sensor, puzzle-solving, innovative gameplay

boktai the sun is in your hand game hideo kojima — Boktai│© Konami

2004 – Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater takes players back to the Cold War era, telling the origin story of Big Boss. Set in the jungle, the game introduced new survival elements like camouflage, hunting for food, and managing injuries. The deep narrative and strategic gameplay earned it widespread acclaim.

Platform - PlayStation 2
Genre - Stealth action
Key Features - Survival mechanics, jungle setting, rich storytelling

metal gear solid 3 gameplay hideo kojima — Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater│© Konami

2008 – Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Serving as the conclusion to Solid Snake’s story, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots was a technical marvel on the PlayStation 3. It introduced OctoCamo, which dynamically changed Snake’s camouflage, and the Psyche meter, which affected gameplay based on stress. With its detailed graphics and emotional depth, the game was a fitting end to Snake’s saga.

Platform - PlayStation 3
Genre - Stealth action
Key Features - OctoCamo, Psyche meter, cinematic storytelling

metal gear solid 4 gameplay hideo kojima — Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots│© Konami

2010 – Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker brought the franchise to the PlayStation Portable (PSP) and continued the story of Big Boss. Featuring cooperative gameplay and base-building elements, it expanded on the series’ mechanics and was later ported to home consoles, underscoring its significance in the franchise.

Platform - PSP, later on PS3 and Xbox 360
Genre - Stealth action
Key Features - Cooperative play, base-building, engaging story

metal gear solid 5 gameplay hideo kojima — Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker│© Konami

2014 – Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

As a prequel to The Phantom Pain, Ground Zeroes provided a glimpse of what was to come. Despite its short length, the game showcased the open-world design and complex systems that would define its successor. It was praised for its graphics and gameplay but criticized for its brevity.

Platform - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC
Genre - Stealth action
Key Features - Open-world exploration, advanced graphics, tactical gameplay

metal gear solid v gameplay hideo kojima — Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes│© Konami

2014 – Silent Hill P.T.

P.T. was a unique teaser for the now-canceled Silent Hills, a collaboration between Kojima and filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. The game was a psychological horror experience praised for its atmosphere and innovative gameplay mechanics. Despite its removal from the PlayStation Store, P.T. remains a significant example of Kojima’s ability to create immersive horror experiences.

Platform - PlayStation 4
Genre - Psychological horror
Key Features - Intense atmosphere, innovative mechanics, horror elements

silent hill p.t. gameplay — Silent Hill P.T.│© Konami

2015 – Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

The culmination of Kojima’s work with the Metal Gear series, The Phantom Pain introduced an open-world environment with unprecedented freedom and tactical options. Players could approach missions in various ways, reflecting Kojima’s dedication to player agency. The game received critical acclaim for its mechanics and story, although Kojima’s departure from Konami overshadowed its release.

Platform - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC
Genre - Stealth action, open-world
Key Features - Open-world design, complex systems, player freedom

2019 – Death Stranding

After leaving Konami, Kojima formed Kojima Productions and released Death Stranding, a game that defies conventional genres. With a focus on connection and cooperation, players navigate a post-apocalyptic world delivering supplies to isolated communities. The game’s unique “strand” gameplay and star-studded cast received both praise and criticism, highlighting Kojima’s ability to innovate and polarize.

Platform - PlayStation 4, PC, later on PlayStation 5
Genre - Action, exploration
Key Features - Strand gameplay, star-studded cast, thematic depth

death stranding gameplay hideo kojima — Death Stranding│© Kojima Productions

Death Stranding 2 (Coming 2025)

Kojima has confirmed that a sequel to Death Stranding is in development. While details remain scarce, fans anticipate further exploration of the “strand” mechanics and continuation of the narrative that sold over 5 million copies.

death stranding 2 hideo kojima — Death Stranding 2│© Kojima Productions

Overdose (TBA)

Hideo Kojima’s next project, titled Overdose, is shrouded in mystery but is rumored to be a horror game. With Kojima’s history of pushing boundaries, expectations are high for another innovative experience that could redefine the genre.

overdose od hideo kojima game — Overdose│© Kojima Productions

Summary of all Hideo Kojima Games

1. Penguin Adventure (1986)

2. Metal Gear (1987)

3. Snatcher (1988)

4. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990)

5. Policenauts (1994)

6. Metal Gear Solid (1998)

7. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)

8. Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand (2003)

9. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)

10. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)

11. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)

12. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (2014)

13. Silent Hill P.T. (2014)

14. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015)

15. Death Stranding (2019)

16. Death Stranding 2 (2025)

17. Overdose (TBA)

Featured

Jul 16, 2024

HIDEO KOJIMA - Japan's Maestro of Game Design