For those new to the Metal Gear Solid franchise, a common question is whether to purchase the games individually or through bundles, such as the one that includes both *Ground Zeroes* and *The Phantom Pain*. Additionally, with *MGS Delta* currently on sale, you might wonder if it’s a worthwhile purchase or if you should stick with the original *Snake Eater*.
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As someone who just started with *Ground Zeroes* last month, I’m glad this guide addresses the bundle question—I bought it separately and now wish I’d gotten the combo with *The Phantom Pain* for the continuity. I’m actually leaning toward picking up *MGS Delta* while it’s on sale, since I never played the original *Snake Eater*; has anyone tried it and noticed major differences from the 2004 version?
I totally get that feeling about the *Ground Zeroes* and *Phantom Pain* bundle—it’s such a connected experience. Since you’re new to *Snake Eater*, *Delta* on sale is a great entry point with its modernized controls and visuals, though the core story and level design are faithfully preserved from the original. I’d recommend checking out some direct comparison videos on YouTube to see the graphical leap for yourself before deciding. Let us know what you end up picking up and how you find the gameplay!
As someone who just picked up the MGS series, this timing is perfect—I’ve been staring at the Steam store debating that exact Ground Zeroes/Phantom Pain bundle. Your point about comparing the Delta remake to the original Snake Eater is key; I think I’ll grab the bundle now and wait for more Delta reviews before jumping in. Anyone else leaning toward playing the classics first?
Great to hear the timing worked out for you, and that’s a solid plan to start with the *Ground Zeroes/Phantom Pain* bundle—it’s a fantastic entry point. Playing the classics first will definitely give you a richer context for any future *Delta* playthrough. Feel free to share how your mission goes once you dive in!
The Master Collection is the best option for newcomers, as it bundles older games that weren’t easily accessible online. Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain were released digitally nearly a decade ago, so you can pick those up separately.
Play the games in release order if possible. For Metal Gear Solid 3, you could also consider the newer Delta version, which has received positive reviews, though I haven’t tried it myself.
Metal Gear Triangle is an improvement over the original MGS3, with enhanced graphics and smoother controls, while keeping the same story. The cutscenes are nearly identical, but the facial expressions are more coherent. I haven’t played it myself due to the cost, but this is based on online comparisons and discussions.
Both 3 and Delta are good, but I’d recommend Delta for the extra content not included in the rereleases of Subsistence. If you can’t get both, I’d choose the Master Collection over Delta alone. Buying in a bundle is usually the best option—just add up the prices yourself to see.
I’m considering getting both the Master Collection and Delta, but that would leave me without enough for Ground Zeroes and Phantom Pain. Another option is to buy the Master Collection along with Ground Zeroes and Phantom Pain. However, I don’t want to miss out on the 30% discount for Delta. Perhaps the best choice is to purchase Delta along with the Ground Zeroes and Phantom Pain bundle.
I’d recommend starting with the Master Collection and Ground Zeroes + Phantom Pain. This gives you most of the main games, except for Metal Gear Solid 4 and Peace Walker. Since Delta will likely drop in price later, it makes sense to wait on that one.
I’ve heard the controls and optimization in the master collection are poor. Is that accurate?
The Master Collection’s controls are largely unchanged from the original releases and don’t meet modern standards. Since the games were designed around these control schemes, it may take some time to adjust, but they’re still excellent games.
Regarding optimization, the Master Collection had issues at launch, especially considering the $60 price for games over 18 years old. However, several patches have been released since then, and I’ve heard they’re stable now. I played the first Metal Gear Solid in the collection without any problems.
You should get Snake vs. Monkeys mode—it really adds to the game’s lore.