The Complete Guide to Hideo Kojima’s Games

Metal Gear Solid│© Konami

Updated on Dec 10, 2024

Hideo Kojima is a world crafter, an experience shaper, a storyteller who bends genres into experiences that linger long after the credits roll. Over his decades-long career, Kojima has been celebrated (and sometimes criticized) for his fearless approach to game design—unapologetically blending cinematic storytelling with gameplay innovation. But where did this journey start, and how did he become the architect of modern gaming narratives? Let’s dive into the defining titles of Kojima’s career, unraveling the layers that make his work iconic.

1986 – Penguin Adventure

Before Metal Gear, before cinematic cutscenes, Kojima was an assistant designer on Penguin Adventure. On the surface, it’s a simple story: a penguin named Penta embarks on a quest to save a princess with a golden apple. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find early hints of Kojima’s experimental streak. Branching paths? RPG-like mechanics? For 1986, this was groundbreaking.

• Platform - MSX

• Genre - Action-adventure

• Key Features - Multiple endings, power-ups, RPG elements

Penguin Adventure│© Konami

1987 – Metal Gear

With Metal Gear, the first major project where he served as a director, designer, and writer, Kojima flipped the script on what action games could be. Instead of rushing in guns blazing, players were encouraged to think, hide, and outwit their enemies. Released on the MSX2 Metal Gear laid the foundation for Kojima’s career and set the stage for his future titles.

• Platform - MSX2, later ported to NES

• Genre - Stealth action

• Key Features - Tactical espionage, non-linear gameplay, intricate storyline

Metal Gear│© Konami

1988 – Snatcher

Released in the late ’80s, Snatcher oozes influences from Blade Runner and Akira—a neon-soaked detective story where humanity blurs with machines. The game focuses on Gillian Seed, a detective tasked with hunting down “Snatchers,” humanoid robots posing as humans. Kojima’s first foray into the cyberpunk genre, 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│© Konami

1990 – Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

If Metal Gear introduced the idea of stealth gaming, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake turned it into a science. Released exclusively in Japan for the MSX2, this sequel was a leap forwards. Guards no longer acted like predictable obstacles; they followed footprints, reacted to sounds, and actively hunted you. Metal Gear 2 was the beginning of Kojima’s sprawling commentary on war, loyalty, and human nature. In hindsight, it’s easy to see how this game laid the foundation for Metal Gear Solid and beyond.

• Platform - MSX2

• Genre - Stealth action

• Key Features - Enhanced AI, improved graphics, expanded narrative

Metal Gear Solid 2│© Konami

1994 – Policenauts

Another narrative-rich game from Kojima, Policenauts is a hard sci-fi graphic adventure set in space. Blending noir sensibilities with sci-fi ambition, the game explores humanity’s fraught relationship with technology and justice. It’s as much about its flawed heroes as the dystopian future they navigate—a story both timeless and ahead of its time.

• Platform - PC-9821, PlayStation, Sega Saturn

• Genre - Graphic adventure

• Key Features - Sci-fi setting, interactive narrative, film noir influences

Policenauts│© Konami

1998 – Metal Gear Solid

When Metal Gear Solid hit the PlayStation as Kojima’s first foray into 3D gaming, it changed the game entirely. With fully voiced characters, cutscenes, and gameplay that rewarded thinking over shooting, it pulled you into a world that felt alive. Shadow Moses Island wasn’t just the stage for espionage, nuclear politics, and unforgettable boss fights. From sneaking through air ducts to Psycho Mantis reading your memory card, Kojima blurred the line between player and protagonist.

• Platform - PlayStation

• Genre - Stealth action

• Key Features - Full 3D graphics, cinematic cutscenes, deep narrative

Metal Gear Solid│© Konami

2001 – Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Fans came for Solid Snake but stayed for the audacity. As Metal Gear SOlid 2: Sons of Liberty was released, Kojima shocked the world by introducing Raiden, flipping the narrative to explore themes of control, identity, and misinformation in a digital world. Beneath the controversy was a masterpiece that questioned the very nature of gaming itself.

• Platform - PlayStation 2

• Genre - Stealth action

• Key Features - Advanced AI, protagonist switch, philosophical narrative

Metal Gear Solid 2│© Konami

2003 – Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand

With Boktai: The Sun is in Your Hand, Kojima transformed handheld gaming into an experience that extended beyond the screen. Released for the Game Boy Advance, the game featured a solar sensor embedded in the cartridge, requiring players to step outside and harness actual sunlight to charge their in-game weapon, the Gun Del Sol. Vampires couldn’t be defeated in the dark, and puzzles demanded the perfect balance of strategy, timing, and daylight.

• Platform - Game Boy Advance

• Genre - Action RPG

• Key Features - Sunlight sensor, puzzle-solving, innovative gameplay

Boktai│© Konami

2004 – Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Kojima flipped the script with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, trading the futuristic tech and urban settings of its predecessors for the untamed wilderness of the Soviet jungle. Set during the Cold War, this prequel tells the origin story of Big Boss—then known as Naked Snake—as he embarks on a mission filled with betrayal, loyalty, and survival.

• Platform - PlayStation 2

• Genre - Stealth action

• Key Features - Survival mechanics, jungle setting, rich storytelling

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: 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 as he forged Militaires Sans Frontière. Peace Walker introduced a robust co-op mode where players could tackle missions together, combining stealth and strategy. 

• Platform - PSP, later on PS3 and Xbox 360

• Genre - Stealth action

• Key Features - Cooperative play, base-building, engaging story

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: 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.│© 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 control over the chaos of war and countless tactical options. This wasn’t stealth as you knew it. The open-world design turned every mission into a puzzle with infinite solutions. Whether infiltrating a Soviet base at dawn or extracting soldiers in the dead of night, the choice was yours. The Fulton recovery system, which let you recruit enemies, animals, and even vehicles to your cause, made you the architect of your army and the silent force behind the rise of Mother Base.

• Platform - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC

• Genre - Stealth action, open-world

• Key Features - Open-world design, complex systems, player freedom

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain│© Konami

2019 – Death Stranding

After leaving Konami, Kojima formed Kojima Productions and released Death Stranding, a game that turned delivery into destiny. With a focus on connection and cooperation, players navigate a post-apocalyptic world delivering supplies to isolated communities. With its “strand” gameplay—an asynchronous network of shared resources—Kojima crafted a meditation on isolation, resilience, and the invisible ties that unite us all.

• Platform - PlayStation 4, PC, later on PlayStation 5

• Genre - Action, exploration

• Key Features - Strand gameplay, star-studded cast, thematic depth

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│© 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│© 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)

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