Metal Gear Solid HD Collection PlayStation 3

Metal Gear Solid HD Collection Product Details

Released on 03-Feb-2012

• E3 2011: MGS 1 headed to HD consoles?

  According to Eurogamer, Kojima Productions wants to remake the very first Metal Gear Solid game in full HD. That’s what the studio’s creative producer Yoshikazu Matsuhana is saying, anyway.

  In an interview with Eurogamer conducted at E3 last week, Matsuhana said the team couldn’t use the original game in its forthcoming MGS HD Collection as the original’s looking a little too old.

  "Obviously, we wanted to include it and make it a complete collection. However, as you know, Metal Gear Solid 1 was for the PSone. It has a very, very low polygon count," he said. "While at the time the game was something new and refreshing, just bringing it as is into HD probably wouldn't have that much meaning to us. We're doing two and three with a certain work flow where the goal is to take that game, preserve it and introduce it to a new generation. We can't really take that approach with Metal Gear Solid 1 because it's very dated at this point."

  Excitingly, we went on to add that, "if we were going to do Metal Gear Solid 1 we'd want to take more time with it. Not just up-res the textures, not just make things look pretty and polished, but go back and tweak some of the gameplay, tweak the story to update things and do it properly. Not just a re-master but a re-imagining almost. We do want to do that sometime down the road but it will take more time.”

  Sounds good to us. In the meantime, The Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, incorporating MGS 2, MGS 3, and Peace Walker, will be hitting the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 later this year.
  

• Kojima hates Metal Gear?

  Okay, so that’s kind of a misleading headline, but this is still an interesting story. Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima loves his famous stealth action series – but he hates the Metal Gear NES game, which was a lot of fans’ introduction to the world of Solid Snake.

  It all comes down to the fact that Metal Gear was originally released for Microsoft’s MSX computer, way back in 1987. The game only ended up on the NES after it was ported. And Kojima wasn’t happy about it.

  "I had absolutely no participation in the development of the NES version," Kojima told Nintendo Power recently (thanks Eurogamer). "The NES version was a pitiful title developed cheaply and simply by a small team in Tokyo. That was during the bubble economy where anything and everything that was released would sell. I came across the game in a bargain bin and tried play it, but the game design is pretty bad. There is some gameplay that includes infiltrating a base that didn't exist in the original. However, even I, the developer of the original game, was unable to infiltrate the base even once. That title has only soiled my reputation."

  It’s not all bad, though: "Even though it was an abomination, it was during the bubble economy and it sold millions overseas.”

  If you want to check out more recent Metal Gear games, of course, you could do worse than pick up the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 when it comes out this November. It contains HD remasters of MGS2, MGS3, and Peace Walker. Ace!

• Hideo Kojima says he's never been satisfied with any of his games

  Legendary Japanese game designer Hideo Kojima, the mad genius behind the blockbuster Metal Gear Solid series, has admitted to insider website Gamesindustry.biz that he never been completely happy with any of the games he made, including the best-selling Metal Gear Solid 4. Even more shocking, he says that the day he fully satisfied is the day he quits games for good.

  "I've never created something that completely satisfies me," he explained. "I don't think that, even as technology continues to improve, I will ever be able to create something that completely satisfies me."

  "Creating something is about turning impossible things into possible things, things you want to be able to do. If it gets to the point where I'm able to create anything I want, I'll probably stop making video games.

  Kojima, who divides his time between development and his duties as Vice President of Konami, is currently overseeing no less than three entries in the Metal Gear series, including Snake Eater 3D for the 3DS, the Raiden-centric spin-off Metal Gear Solid: Rising and an HD compilation of the original Metal Gear Solid and its sequels.

• Four-player mode confirmed for MGS HD Collection's Peace Walker

  The upcoming Metal Gear Solid HD Collection will feature four-player support in its conversion of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

  Series creator Hideo Kojima, who is overseeing the creation of the new PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 compilation pack, has confirmed that the acclaimed PSP title Peace Walker will make the transition to home consoles with its multiplayer mode intact.

  He revealed via Twitter that the game will be playable online via Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network, while players can expect the cooperative experience to run at a smooth 60 frames per second.

  The Metal Gear Solid HD Collection is due for release this November and will feature high-definition conversions of three of the most popular titles in the iconic series.

  As well as Peace Walker, the PlayStation 2 classics Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater will be included.

  Each game features support for Trophies and Achievements for the first time, in addition to the visual upgrade.

  Published: 06/09/2011

• Metal Gear Solid HD Collection coming to PS Vita

  Konami has announced that the forthcoming Metal Gear Solid HD Collection is to be released on the new PlayStation Vita handheld.

  The compilation pack of super-agent Solid Snake's greatest adventures will be coming to the high-tech portable console next year, following its debut on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this November.

  As well as announcing the PS Vita version, Konami revealed that the HD Collection will include the original MSX Metal Gear game that started it all, in addition to its sequel Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

  Also confirmed for the set will be the full selection of special VR Missions that were included in the PlayStation 2 release Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance.

  The Metal Gear Solid HD Collection is set to bring together three of the series' most acclaimed entries - Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

  Each will include overhauled graphics and support for Trophies and Achievements.

  Published: 15/09/2011

• Metal Gear to continue after Kojima's gone

  Metal Gear to continue after Kojima's gone

  A fan of Metal Gear Solid? Then you're in luck, as it seems like you'll have games to keep you going for some time to come as creator Hideo Kojima says he'd like to see the series continue long after he's left this mortal coil.

  Speaking at The University of Southern California, Kojima said, "First of all, I just want to say that as long as there are fans who want Metal Gear Solid, as a producer, I will always want to still make them and I want the series to continue."

  "So even after I die, I still would love to have the Metal Gear Solid series continue."

  Kojima, who started the series back when all this was just sprites back in 1987 with the original NES game Metal Gear, also revealed how he just can't get away from the series - no matter how hard he tries.

  "I've tried to hand Metal Gear off to other people within the studio and I've tried to raise people up so they have the ability to take over," he said, "And I think since Metal Gear Solid 3, I've tried this and actually did hand it off and have other people come up with the story and come up with the game design.

  "But for some reason it just never really works out. And, you know, I end up having to step in again to take charge and kind of fix things here and there and just get sucked back in."

  Metal Gear Solid's been relatively quiet of late, though that's all set to change soon; Metal Gear Solid HD Collection is coming later this year, paving the way for the release of Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D early next year and - fingers crossed - Metal Gear Solid: Rising late in 2012.

• Metal Gear Solid HD Collection - Preview

  Metal Gear Solid HD Collection - Preview

  History lesson

  Featuring high definition updates of 2001's Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, 2004's Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and 2010's Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection is a love letter to fans of the series and a brilliant way for those who haven't been exposed to it to experience some of the best stealth games ever made, and indeed some of the finest gaming moments of all time.

  Sons of Liberty tasks players with infiltrating an Atlantic rig to confront a terrorist hostage threat involving the President, Snake Eater sees players carrying out a series of Cold War-era assassination missions deep in a Soviet jungle, while Peace Walker challenges players to thwart a nuclear threat after Costa Rica is overrun by an organisation of highly-trained mercenaries.

  Classics reborn

  Despite their age, all three games hold up well in 2012. Featuring lengthy cinematic cut scenes, intricate storylines exploring political, technological and philosophical themes, plus a welcome dose of offbeat humour, in many respects they feel as though they've hardly aged, something that's largely due to the fact that they were so ahead of their time when first released.

  With nine globe-trotting games in the Metal Gear series, which jump back and forth across five decades and features a giant cast of characters, some players will find it difficult to keep up with the storylines in these twist-laden espionage thrillers, but even if that's the case, the stellar gameplay alone makes them worth experiencing.

  Tactical espionage action

  Sons of Liberty and Snake Eater see players taking on the role of a lone agent going up against enemy forces that outnumber them dramatically. A gung-ho attitude will lead to a quick death, so the best way to progress is to avoid drawing attention to yourself by tripping alerts of entering an enemy's line of sight, and the central premise of playing hide and seek with intelligent guards is a joy to engage in.

  Players collect and use clothing and items as camouflage, seek alternate routes to reach objectives, use distraction techniques, hide in lockers, boxes or the undergrowth, and take out enemies with choke holds or tranquiliser darts before hiding their bodies. It's all brilliantly executed, and no other series gives you such a genuine sense of dread that you're going to be discovered.

  Brilliant bosses

  Of course, sometimes lethal force is necessary, particularly when you're attempting to take down an army of 80-foot robots, as in Sons of Liberty, or are tasked with assassinating a deadly, otherworldly military squad, as in Snake Eater. Constantly original and set in gorgeous jungle locations, the latter's boss battles are the stuff of gaming legend. The standout encounter is arguably a lengthy face-off against the century-old 'father of modern sniping' The End, a foe who's as hard to locate as he is to finish off.

  Originally developed for PSP, Peace Walker plays out somewhat differently to its console brothers, featuring a series of bite-sized missions in which you're challenged to recruit a series of soldiers for your own military unit to help complete your end goal of averting a nuclear threat. Mixing stealth, shooter, strategy, base-building and RPG elements, it's a varied offering that benefits greatly from being playable with a second analogue stick on console controllers.

  Unmissable

  Mixing innovative gameplay with deep, twisting storylines and cinematic flair, the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection is a great antidote to more predictable modern war shooters. Sons of Liberty, Snake Eater and Peace Walker are all fantastic games in their own right, so to be able to pick up them together with updated visuals and at a value price point makes this a standout compilation that looks set to delight series fans and newcomers alike.
  

  Published: 17/01/2012

• PS Vita Metal Gear Solid HD Collection to feature touch controls

  The PlayStation Vita version of the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection will incorporate all-new touch-based control options.

  Famed designer and series creator Hideo Kojima has revealed via his Twitter page that the handheld version of the acclaimed compilation title will offer support for the PS Vita's rear touch panel.

  Kojima highlighted an example from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, in which players can flick their finger along the touch pad to slit an enemy's throat once they have been subdued.

  Further gesture-controlled functions are also likely to be included in the compilation, which includes two classic MGS titles alongside MGS3 - Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

  The game made its debut on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 last week and shot straight to second place in the UK all-formats chart.

  It will arrive on PS Vita not long after the console's UK launch, which is set to take place later this month.

  Published: 07/02/2012

• Zone of the Enders HD Collection on the way

  Konami's anime-inspired robot action series Zone of the Enders is to receive a new lease of life with a high-definition compilation release this autumn.

  The Zone of the Enders HD Collection is coming to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and includes both the original Zone of the Enders and its sequel Zone of the Enders: The 2nd Runner.

  Created by Metal Gear Solid mastermind Hideo Kojima, the games feature eye-catching battles between giant robots called Orbital Frames in an interstellar setting, married to the in-depth storytelling that has become Kojima's trademark.

  This will be the first time either game has been released on any platform since their original PlayStation 2 debuts.

  Tomoyuki Tsuboi, president of Konami Digital Entertainment, said: "We are looking forward to bringing the legendary Zone of the Enders series to fans old and new in a high-definition format with the Zone of Enders HD Collection."

  Konami will be hoping the new release can match the success of the recent Metal Gear Solid HD Collection, which reached number two in the all-formats chart after debuting on PS3 and Xbox 360 last month.

  Published: 01/03/2012

• Metal Gear Solid HD Collection hits PS Vita this summer

  Konami has announced that its hit Metal Gear Solid HD Collection will be sneaking its way on to PlayStation Vita over the summer.

  The compilation pack, which includes some of the most acclaimed entries in legendary designer Hideo Kojima's pioneering stealth action series, already proved a major success when it debuted on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 last month.

  Included in the PS Vita collection will be remastered versions of the PlayStation 2 classics Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater.

  Each game will feature high-definition visuals, PlayStation Trophy support, enhanced interfaces and touch control options, as well as data-sharing functions with PlayStation 3.

  Martin Schneider of Konami said: "We're confident that users will be pleased with the new innovations Kojima Productions have implemented with the new PlayStation Vita iterations, offering a truly unique experience for this exciting new format."

  This comes a week after Nintendo 3DS owners received their own slice of handheld Metal Gear action with the launch of Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D.
  

  Published: 12/03/2012

• Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima will "make games until he dies"

  Hideo Kojima, the legendary and esoteric game designer responsible for the Metal Gear saga, has admitted that he plans to continue making games for the rest of his life, regardless of what happens.

  His admission was made to Eurogamer, during an interview held during an event at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC. Kojima himself is now 50 years old, while the Metal Gear series celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

  "Honestly, I really don't know in 25 years from now if I'll still be making Metal Gear, or even if Konami will still be around - I really can't say," Kojima said, when asked about the future. "But I can say that if I'm not dead by that time I will still be making games in some form. I don't have any intention of retiring - until the day I die I will be making games. Maybe by that time technology will be so advanced that I can make a game all by myself by using a bunch of robots. Who knows?"

  Kojima is currently working on the top secret Project Ogre using his new Fox Engine technology. It will, apparently, feature real ogres.

  His most famous creation, Solid Snake, was given the re-release treatment in February in the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. The next outing for the series will be Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, a hyperactive combat game co-developed with Platinum, the studio behind the superb Bayonetta.

• Bring On the Bad Guys!

  
  

  

  This week sees the release of Prototype 2, where the Alex Mercer, hero from the first game seems to have become the new bad guy to beat. So, in celebration of all things vile and villainous, the digital team has once again been gently prodded to share with you our favourite evil-doers. These are the people, who, in the style of Bugsy Malone, are "the very best at being bad"

  
  

  

  Glenn - Mad Mod

  Diablo is the Lord of Terror and a Prime Evil of Hell. That's a job title that alone warrants a spot on our best bad guys list.

  He manipulates his opponents using their innermost fears and then obliterates them with his Demonic strength and incredibly powerful Spells. The strongest Demon in Hell, named after the Devil himself, and seemingly indestructible (Read - he's been destroyed a number of times, even with the Arch Angels helping and he's still keeps ticking, like a malevolent Duracell bunny), devious and able to possess his enemies, Diablo is the Ultimate Bad Guy. And he's back in Diablo 3!
  

  

  Marc - Analyst to the Stars

  The little girl from F.E.A.R. - Alma Wade.

  She was scary. Honest. Like the girl from the Ring (Japanese version, obviously). The first corridor experience with her and the ceiling of blood is one of the scariest scenes ever in a game.

  The Music and Sound was eerie too. It was just all far too scary and Alma was the cause of it all.

  Carl - Design Doodler

  Shao Kahn from Mortal Kombat. Because he is a massive #@+! and I can't kill him!

  

  Ali - Queen of the Internet

  My favourite video game villain is Revolver Ocelot. He started life in Metal Gear Solid as a random gunslinger who you could kill if you (as Solid Snake) waited for him to need to reload his revolver - he really should have named himself something with more than 6 bullets!

  After cutting off his arm you assume that's the end of him, but he's more maniacal than you realise as he replaces his arm with that of your dead clone brother Liquid Snake. In a strange twist of surgery his arm takes over his mind so you have to beat him again in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Finally the epic family feud of a lifetime is over, but with Metal Gear nothing ever seems to stay dead. Roll on Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance!

  James - Captain Category

  G-Man from Half-Life - not really a villain but still very creepy

  

  Nick - Colonel Category

  Wesker from Resident Evil.
  
  How many times did he die escape get retconned? Nigh on unkillable (until the muddle that was Resident Evil 5), the variety of his super powers (whatever the situation demanded, basically) and his smartass one-liners made him the man (ish?) well all loved to hate.

  Plus, sunglasses in those dark places, yes, THAT's how hard he was!

  Louis - Merchandising Meddler

  Wesker be top of my favourite picks, too. From his humble beginnings in a dual life as a scientist/Umbrella genius/STARS Leader, he goes about sacrificing his entire team in the name of science... and obtaining reliable combat data.

  After he is foiled by Chris and Jill, Wesker fakes his own death, escapes, and, not content with the destruction of Raccoon City, tries to continue his research away from the tenacious and meddling Redfield...

  But, Wesker is a bad guy and is therefore doomed to fail. After failing twice, mutating his body beyond belief and moving to Africa, he becomes nothing short of annoying and impossible to kill. The only way he is stopped is by being tackled by Chris and Eva and hundreds of bullets later, is engulfed in a pool of lava.

  Truly special, I'll always remember him for his rubbish sunglasses (worn at all times) and even worse Matrix-esque coat (RE 5). It was also really weird the way his accent changed too. He went from camp American to indignant English... I guess that cemented the transformation from mildly devious to completely evil!

  My second pick would be The Shredder (many Turtles games, but in particular, the 1989 TMNT Arcade Game). Not content with burning down April's apartment building, he kidnaps her too - forcing the Turtles into action and on a mission to end all missions. To a degree, menacing, but generally just annoying and incessant ; )

  Finally, I'd say my third pick would be Dr. Robotnik from Sonic. Generally, he's also just annoying, but also very devious and innovative. From trying to run Sonic down with a drill machine, to smashing Sonic with a giant wrecking ball, to trying to drown Sonic, to pitting Sonic against Metal Sonic in a race to save Amy Rose. Robotnik never gives up... You gotta love a good villain!

  

  Robyn - In-Yer-Face Interfacer

  Baron von Blubba. You know, the whale in Bubble Bobble! When time runs out it goes ape and super fast... Waaaaaah!!!! (o_o)

  Damien - Good Word Writing Man

  Does 'Dragonforce - Through the Fire and Flames' from Guitar Hero: World Tour count? Talk about an unbeatable enemy... No? Well then there's always the Joker in Arkham Asylum and City - played with delicious glee by Mark Hamill. He won an award for it and everything.

• Kojima confirms Metal Gear Solid 5 is on the way

  Hideo Kojima, the mercurial developer responsible for the critically acclaimed multi-million selling Metal Gear series has confirmed that an official fifth entry in the saga will be released.

  The news came in an interview with French games magazine IG, and was translated by Eurogamer. In the interview, Kojima confirms that Metal Gear Solid 5 is happening, but is coy about how far into production it is. He refers to the presence of a "ninja PR lady" who will "cut him into little pieces" if he reveals too much. He does say that the game will be more infiltration-focussed and that it will feature characters you can speak with, using Deus Ex: Human Revolution as an example.

  The big question is whether the new game would feature iconic series protagonist Solid Snake. Once again, Kojima doesn't say for sure, but his words should still please fans. "We have not yet finished with Solid Snake, despite the fact that I wanted to let him die at the end of Guns of the Patriots," Kojima says.

  One possible direction for the next game is an idea Kojima floated in 2011, of creating a prequel set during World War 2. "I had several ideas for a game featuring The Boss and the Cobra Unit during the invasion of Normandy," he said. "I presented my ideas to the team during the summer of 2008. However, simply dropping MGS5 on the younger staff members was a bit heavy and there was resistance to doing it without my involvement."

  Kojima-san is busy right now, overseeing the upcoming Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, in development at Platinum Games, due early next year, as well as the mysterious next generation Project Ogre.

• Hideo Kojima: developing Metal Gear Solid is like the Olympics

  Hideo Kojima: developing Metal Gear Solid is like the Olympics

  Hideo Kojima, the brilliantly barmy man behind the Metal Gear franchise, has made another of his cryptic teasing statements regarding development on the next in the series.

  "When asked what the MGS series is to you, I once responded, 'It's like the Olympics.' A big event held every three or four years," the gaming legend tweeted. "You devote your life to the major goal of a fight on the world stage. You think of nothing beyond that. The latter half becomes difficult, and you think that you'll retire after this. But after release, you think about the next tournament."

  Kojima has hinted at retirement many times, but is currently working on a top secret project, codenamed Ogre, using his new Fox Engine code base. The true identity of the game is still shrouded in mystery, but Kojima has admitted that it has stealth elements and will have a more openworld feel than his previous games. A solitary screenshot, showing a man creeping past a tank in a desert, suggests a modern or futuristic military setting. "We have not yet finished with Solid Snake," Kojima has said.

  Is it Metal Gear Solid 5? Kojima isn't saying, although he may spill more beans when he speaks at a special 25th anniversary event for the very first Metal Gear game at the end of August.

  For now, fans can look forward to Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, a collaboration between Kojima and Bayonetta developer Platinum Games. That's out for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in early 2013.

• The secret's out - Hideo Kojima unveils Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes

  The secret's out - Hideo Kojima unveils Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes

  The existence of a new Metal Gear Solid game - not to be confused with upcoming spin-off Metal Gear Rising - has been one of the worst kept secrets in gaming over the last few years, with mercurial creator Hideo Kojima constantly hinting at it, without ever coming out and confirming the bloomin' thing.

  Well, now he has. Speaking at an event to celebrate the series 25th annivesary - Solid Snake debuted in a game simply called Metal Gear in 1987 for the obscure MSX2 computer - Kojima has confirmed that he's deep into production on Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.

  Formerly known as Project Ogre, this is Kojima's openworld take on the stealth genre he pioneered, and it will use his shiny new Fox Engine to create its vast free-roaming landscapes.

  Footage shown at the event blew attendees away by all accounts, showing Snake crawling past searchlights and taking down a guard, before stealing a Jeep, driving away and calling in a helicopter for evacuation. And while fans were still reeling from that, Kojima casually let slip that the Metal Gear movie is moving ahead with former Marvel man Avi Arad producing.

  It's an exciting time to be a grizzled future combat veteran with an eye-patch then, but for those who can't wait to find out where and when Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes will be released, direct your attention to Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, the all-action spin-off that sees Kojima teaming up with Bayonette studio Platinum Games for a slick hack-and-slash spin on the Metal Gear saga. That's due for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 next February.

  Published: 30/08/2012

• Metal Gear Rising demo included with Zone of the Enders HD Collection

  Metal Gear Rising demo included with Zone of the Enders HD Collection

  If you've been twitching in anticipation of slash-happy spin-off Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance then you should pay close attention to the impending launch of Konami's Zone of the Enders HD Collection. That retro bundle will come with the first playable demo of the game, which sees Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima handing control of his baby over to Bayonetta developer Platinum Games.

  The result is an action game centred around Metal Gear Solid supporting character Raiden, now reborn as a cybernetically enhanced ninja. You'll slice your way through dozens of enemies, using an innovative new control scheme that allows you to direct every single slash of Raiden's sword using the analogue control sticks.

  Not that you should need much of an excuse to pick up Zone of the Enders. Another Kojima creation, it's a frantic mech combat shooter with an emphasis on epic space battles. The first game, released in 2001 for the PlayStation 2, came with a demo of the then-upcoming Metal Gear Solid 2. See? It all fits together beautifully.

  The Zone of the Enders HD Collection remasters both the original games in the series, with the second game appearing in its European special edition form. That means you get lots of extra stuff, such as new mechs, scenarios and game modes.

  Zone of the Enders HD Collection should be released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 - the first time the games will have appeared on the Xbox platform - later this year. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is due in February 2013. A long overdue new Zone of the Enders game is in development, Kojima has confirmed. Whether it will beat the recently announced open world Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes to the shelves has yet to be confirmed.

  Published: 20/09/2012

• Bring On The Bad Guys!

  
  

  

  This week sees the release of Prototype 2, where the Alex Mercer, hero from the first game seems to have become the new bad guy to beat. So, in celebration of all things vile and villainous, the digital team has once again been gently prodded to share with you our favourite evil-doers. These are the people, who, in the style of Bugsy Malone, are "the very best at being bad"

  
  

  

  Glenn - Mad Mod

  Diablo is the Lord of Terror and a Prime Evil of Hell. That's a job title that alone warrants a spot on our best bad guys list.

  He manipulates his opponents using their innermost fears and then obliterates them with his Demonic strength and incredibly powerful Spells. The strongest Demon in Hell, named after the Devil himself, and seemingly indestructible (Read - he's been destroyed a number of times, even with the Arch Angels helping and he's still keeps ticking, like a malevolent Duracell bunny), devious and able to possess his enemies, Diablo is the Ultimate Bad Guy. And he's back in Diablo 3!
  

  

  Marc - Analyst to the Stars

  The little girl from F.E.A.R. - Alma Wade.

  She was scary. Honest. Like the girl from the Ring (Japanese version, obviously). The first corridor experience with her and the ceiling of blood is one of the scariest scenes ever in a game.

  The Music and Sound was eerie too. It was just all far too scary and Alma was the cause of it all.

  Carl - Design Doodler

  Shao Kahn from Mortal Kombat. Because he's massive and I can't kill him!

  

  Ali - Queen of the Internet

  My favourite video game villain is Revolver Ocelot. He started life in Metal Gear Solid as a random gunslinger who you could kill if you (as Solid Snake) waited for him to need to reload his revolver - he really should have named himself something with more than 6 bullets!

  After cutting off his arm you assume that's the end of him, but he's more maniacal than you realise as he replaces his arm with that of your dead clone brother Liquid Snake. In a strange twist of surgery his arm takes over his mind so you have to beat him again in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Finally the epic family feud of a lifetime is over, but with Metal Gear nothing ever seems to stay dead. Roll on Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance!

  James - Captain Category

  G-Man from Half-Life - not really a villain but still very creepy

  

  Nick - Colonel Category

  Wesker from Resident Evil.
  
  How many times did he die escape get retconned? Nigh on unkillable (until the muddle that was Resident Evil 5), the variety of his super powers (whatever the situation demanded, basically) and his smartass one-liners made him the man (ish?) well all loved to hate.

  Plus, sunglasses in those dark places, yes, THAT's how hard he was!

  Louis - Merchandising Meddler

  Wesker be top of my favourite picks, too. From his humble beginnings in a dual life as a scientist/Umbrella genius/STARS Leader, he goes about sacrificing his entire team in the name of science... and obtaining reliable combat data.

  After he is foiled by Chris and Jill, Wesker fakes his own death, escapes, and, not content with the destruction of Raccoon City, tries to continue his research away from the tenacious and meddling Redfield...

  But, Wesker is a bad guy and is therefore doomed to fail. After failing twice, mutating his body beyond belief and moving to Africa, he becomes nothing short of annoying and impossible to kill. The only way he is stopped is by being tackled by Chris and Eva and hundreds of bullets later, is engulfed in a pool of lava.

  Truly special, I'll always remember him for his rubbish sunglasses (worn at all times) and even worse Matrix-esque coat (RE 5). It was also really weird the way his accent changed too. He went from camp American to indignant English... I guess that cemented the transformation from mildly devious to completely evil!

  My second pick would be The Shredder (many Turtles games, but in particular, the 1989 TMNT Arcade Game). Not content with burning down April's apartment building, he kidnaps her too - forcing the Turtles into action and on a mission to end all missions. To a degree, menacing, but generally just annoying and incessant ; )

  Finally, I'd say my third pick would be Dr. Robotnik from Sonic. Generally, he's also just annoying, but also very devious and innovative. From trying to run Sonic down with a drill machine, to smashing Sonic with a giant wrecking ball, to trying to drown Sonic, to pitting Sonic against Metal Sonic in a race to save Amy Rose. Robotnik never gives up... You gotta love a good villain!

  

  Robyn - In-Yer-Face Interfacer

  Baron von Blubba. You know, the whale in Bubble Bobble! When time runs out it goes ape and super fast... Waaaaaah!!!! (o_o)

  Damien - Good Word Writing Man

  Does 'Dragonforce - Through the Fire and Flames' from Guitar Hero: World Tour count? Talk about an unbeatable enemy... No? Well then there's always the Joker in Arkham Asylum and City - played with delicious glee by Mark Hamill. He won an award for it and everything.

  Published: 22/04/2012

• Hideo Kojima doesn't like being 'the Metal Gear guy'

  Very few games developers get to become synonymous with a massive global franchise, but Metal Gear creator Hideo Kojima reckons the fame isn't all it's cracked up to be.

  As the critically acclaimed stealth espionage series celebrates its 25th anniversary, he's spoken with EGM about the downside of being known as the father of Solid Snake. "I'm often misinterpreted," he said. "I've always said that I want to work on original properties, but Metal Gear offers plenty of benefits."

  One of those benefits is being able to use the guaranteed sales the series generates to fund new technology, such as the Fox Engine which will power Ground Zeroes, the open world Metal Gear game now in development. "We were only able to develop it because it was intended for the next Metal Gear," Kojima admits.

  However, the veteran developer hopes his legacy counts for more. "I'll admit that I hope my future endeavours are thought of as 'works by Hideo Kojima' rather than 'from the creator of Metal Gear," he said. "I haven't really shown the world what else I might be capable of yet. This may sound pretentious, but I don't like being thought of as 'the Metal Gear guy.' There's a lot more I can do."

  You can sample one of Kojima's other works in the new Zone of the Enders HD Collection, on sale now for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, as well as revisiting the classic adventures of Solid Snake in the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. The series next entry will be Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, an action-based spin-off developed by Bayonetta developer Platinum Games under Kojima's watchful eye.
  

  Published: 30/11/2012

• Konami releases free Metal Gear Art Studio online

  As part of the ongoing 25th anniversary celebrations for the Metal Gear series, Konami has delivered a rather wonderful gift for artistically inclined fans. The Metal Gear Art Studio - available free at artstudio.metalgearsolid.com - is the work of Yoji Shinkawa, the artist whose painterly brush techniques have come to define the Metal Gear brand.

  Not only does the Art Studio give you access to digital tools that enable you to recreate Shinkawa's style in your browser, it also offers some really cool community features. You're able to watch other artists work take shape, stroke by stroke, and zoom in on their drawings for finer detail. There are also contests to draw classic Metal Gear characters and the ability to share anything you like to the social network of your choice.

  It's a fitting tribute to a series that enters 2013 in rude health. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, out this week for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, finds Bayonetta studio Platinum mixing the series up with graceful melee combat and thrilling sword play. Series creator Hideo Kojima, meanwhile, is hard at work on Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes, an ambitious next evolution in the saga which introduces open world gameplay and flexible narrative.

  Both Mr Kojima and Mr Shinkawa will be on hand for the midnight launch of Revengenace at GAME Westfield White City this Thursday evening, taking part in a Q&A session, photoshoot and personally serving the first 200 customers.
  

  Published: 19/02/2013

• Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes 'targeting a lot of taboos'

  Hideo Kojima, the mercurial genius behind the Metal Gear franchise, has been talking about the upcoming evolution of the series, Ground Zeroes. VideoGamer has reported that the Japanese auteur thinks the game may be too controversial for audiences to handle.

  "Video games as a medium haven't matured very much at all in the last 25 years," Kojima told journalists. "It's always about killing aliens and zombies. Not that I don't like those kinds of games... they are fun, but I think games have a long way to go before they can mature."

  "Over the past 25 year I have tried to work with the Metal Gear series to introduce more mature themes, but really it hasn't gotten there yet. Compared to movies and books it still has a long way to go. That's precisely what I want to try to tackle with Ground Zeroes. Honestly I'm going to be targeting a lot of taboos, a lot of mature themes that really are quite risky. I'm not even sure if I'm going to be able to release the game, and even if I did release the game then maybe it wouldn't sell because it's too much. As a creator I want to take that risk."

  What could he be talking about? Ground Zeroes marks a radical departure for the Metal Gear brand, using Kojima's own Fox Engine to power an open world stealth action experience unlike any previous title. It will follow the recently released - and absolutely fantastic - Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, which also shakes things up, focusing on cyborg ninja Raiden and his ability to slice enemies into tiny chunks.

  Published: 25/02/2013

• Hideo Kojima on Metal Gear's multi-platform future

  Ever since Metal Gear Solid revived Hideo Kojima's stealth action series for a new generation of consoles, the franchise has been closely linked with the PlayStation. While various ports and spin-offs have made their way to other consoles, the core series has stayed SONY loyal.

  The recent announcement of Metal Gear Solid V, which will be released as two interlinked games, The Phantom Pain and Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes, represents the first time that a major new Solid Snake game will debut on multiple consoles at the same time.

  Will Kojima ever go back to being a one-console developer? That's what Edge magazine asked him. "It's a tough question to answer," he answered. "Obviously, I do like SONY, I respect them and I have a lot of things in common with their way of thinking. I think the future of gaming is with cloud technology and cloud gaming.

  "I love SONY, I have a SONY camera, but I think if you're going to enter the cloud generation then there will be a lot of different devices involved and a lot of different ways to interact with that game world. I don't want to limit it to any one platform."

  That's got to be good news for gamers, particularly with new consoles on the horizon from both SONY and Microsoft.

  The Phantom Pain and Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes are in development now, with release details still to be confirmed.

  Published: 16/04/2013

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