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From mind-bending plots to stunning visuals, these Hideo Kojima titles are a gaming experience you shouldn’t miss.
Hideo Kojima, the legendary video game creator from Japan, has impressed the industry time and again with his forward-thinking and revolutionary ideas related to narratives and immersion. With a career spanning around 40 years, he has delivered some of the most outstanding games that the industry has ever witnessed.
While it is impossible to list down all of his contributions, in this piece, we’ll outline five of his best works. If you haven’t played them at least once, now would be the right time to jump right in and witness the brilliant mind of Kojima in action.
Top 5 Hideo Kojima Games You Have To Play
The following are some of the best video games that he ever created. However, keep in mind that some of the titles on the list are quite old, and you may have trouble running them on modern systems. However, you can always look for emulators to play them, or if you have old consoles in working order, you can dive into these titles too.
- Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
- Zone of the Enders
- Death Stranding
- Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
- Metal Gear Solid
Now, let’s take a detailed look at each of these video games that Kojima brought to players over his career.
1) Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Released in 2004 originally for the PlayStation 2, an HD remaster of the title has since come to all modern consoles and the PC. In Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Hideo Kojima decided to delve into the past of the famed Big Boss character. Set in the backdrop of the Cold War, the protagonist, who’s much younger than in the previous games, has to navigate the Soviet wilderness and rescue a scientist named Sokolov.
Besides a solid story that offered a more detailed insight into Big Boss, Metal Gear Solid 3 also innovated in its gameplay mechanics. From having to adapt to the changing environments to maintaining stamina levels, the game totally immersed players into the world. However, perhaps the most memorable aspect of the game were its revolutionary boss battles, including the faceoff with a legendary sniper, The End, and the final fight with The Boss. You simply must experience it to understand how much of an impact the game has had on the video game industry at large.
A remake of the popular title is also in the works, although Kojima isn’t involved with this version. Still, you can it now. Check out our complete guide on which editions you should get.
2) Zone of the Enders
In 2001, the association between Kojima and Konami culminated in the creation of a hack and slash shooter, Zone of the Enders. Although available on the PS2 originally, it has been remastered for the PS3 and Xbox 360 later on. Set in the future, the game tells a story where different groups within humanity have started colonizing other planets. The gameplay was developed in a way that would encourage players to strategize and minimize collateral damage. Again, this was unheard of in most video games at the time.
Zone of the Enders became such a massive hit that it inspired a follow up animated series and a sequel video game. Hideo Kojima helmed the sequel too and it released in 2003.
3) Death Stranding
Kojima and Konami had a very public fallout, which caused many in the industry to wonder where the Japanese game creator would go next. He answered all of those questions when he launched Death Stranding in 2019 under his own production company, Kojima Productions. And, in true Kojima fashion, the gameplay and story of the title immediately hooked fans. Although categorized as an action game, Death Stranding was mostly about traversing the wide open world. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the video game showcased how even traveling from point A to Point B can become a deeply engaging part for players.
Kojima’s biggest innovation was the ‘Strand’ effect, which meant that the in-game action of other players online would affect your game experience. These other players could leave tools and items in the world, and you could simply chance upon them for your use. Due to the first game’s popularity, Kojima has announced Death Stranding 2 and it is slated to release some time in 2025.
4) Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
When Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty launched, fans were shocked to see the introduction of a brand new protagonist. While most had thought they would play as series favorite, Solid Snake, the game put them in the shoes of Raiden, a rookie agent. However, the story and gameplay were so refined that most players quickly forgot to complain. Metal Gear Solid 2 improved on almost all aspects of its predecessor, including graphics, stealth mechanics, boss battles and more.
The plot underlined how misinformation can be used to control people’s opinions. Even after 24 years, the topic remains highly relevant, showcasing Kojima’s ability to stay ahead of his times. Thankfully, you can play the remastered version of the game on all modern consoles and PC.
5) Metal Gear Solid
While Hideo Kojima was working in the industry since 1986, Metal Gear Solid in 1998 really solidified his place on the global map. This is where players were introduced to the hugely popular Solid Snake figure as protagonist. He has to infiltrate a terrorist base, rescue any trapped hostages and prevent the launch of a nuclear warhead. Although later games in the series would combine combat and stealth, the first Metal Gear Solid focused heavily on stealth. Snake has to remain undetected, as head-on fights mostly end badly for the covert agent.
This game also introduces players to a wide range of interesting characters, many of whom go on to play crucial roles in the sequels. These include Revolver Ocelot, Colonel Roy Campbell and Liquid Snake. This title too is currently playable on all modern consoles and the PC platform.
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