The 10 Most Outstanding Hideo Kojima Games

Hideo Kojima is considered a legend in the gaming industry. Not only for his games and being vice president of Konami, but also for his passion and innovations that he brought to the industry.

Born on August 24, 1963 in Tokyo, Japan. Koijma has always been passionate about the seventh art. He spent part of his childhood going to the cinemas to see classic films, which would eventually be inspirations for one of his best-known works: Metal Gear .

He dreamed of being a film director, but ended up becoming a designer for a gaming company in 1986: Konami. The first game he worked on as assistant director was Penguim Adventure . The first game developed by him would be Lost World, in the same year, but Konami canceled the project.

In 1987, Metal Gear was released for MSX2. The game used several elements, such as action, shooting, explosions and espionage, which were very popular in movies at the time. Konami was reluctant at first; however, it continued with the project and gave it its due after its sales and critical success. Despite not being the first Stealth game, Metal Gear was the one that revolutionized this area and redefined its elements.

The partnership between Kojima and Konami came to a tumultuous end. During the production of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015), disagreements arose between Kojima and Konami, culminating in the developer's departure from the company.

There were many years of working together and releasing several games, but, after this event, Kojima would take a new step in his history with games by founding his own studio: Kojima Productions.

Founding Kojima Productions

After his departure from Konami, Hideo Kojima founded Kojima Productions as an independent studio. Their mission was to continue to create innovative and challenging experiences. The new studio's first project was Death Stranding in 2019, an ambitious work that challenged the conventions of action and adventure games, mainly with its premise of an isolated world where the protagonist was a delivery man.

Death Stranding was inspired by a short story by writer Kōbō Abe (Bō ni natta otoko) for the development of themes and gameplay. This game not only marked Kojima's return to the video game scene, but also introduced innovative concepts such as online connectivity in unusual ways and a dense, symbolic narrative.

Hideo Kojima follows a trip to the games industry marked by an incessant search for innovation, originality, details and approach to themes and concepts in a cinematic and visionary way. Serving as an inspiration for generations of developers, it proves that games have a capacity far beyond entertainment, but rather, to be a profound and impactful art in people's lives.

Find out a little about Kojima's ten most memorable games. Works that marked generations, consoles and caused impacts that reflect on the gaming industry to this day!

Metal Gear (1987)

Metal Gear brought several elements that were very popular in cinema at the time. Initially being released for MSX2, thanks to its success and sales a version was later made for NES.

In the game, we take on the role of Solid Snake, a member of the FOXHOUND special forces unit sent to infiltrate the fictional nation of Outer Heaven. There, he must destroy the prototype of a nuclear tank, Metal Gear, which threatens to trigger a global crisis. Although it wasn't the first stealth game, it was the title that defined new elements for the genre and revolutionized the market due to its boldness.

Snatcher (1988)

Following his passion for cinema, the following year, Kojima released the visual novel Snatcher. Set in a dystopian future, where androids known as Snatchers infiltrate society by replacing human beings, the plot follows Gillian Seed, an amnesiac detective.

His mission is to investigate and eradicate the Snatchers while uncovering his own past. In it, we can explore different environments, collecting clues and making decisions that change the course of the story. Although originally released in Japan, later versions of the game were released for Western audiences. Snatcher was published for PC-8801, MSX2, PC Engine, Sega CD, PlayStation, Sega Saturn.

Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990)

Released only in Japan for the MSX2 and available as a bonus feature for Metal Gear Solid 2: Subsistance in 2006, Metal Gear 2 was highly praised for its intricate story and gameplay.

Compared to its predecessor, new gameplay elements were added such as the possibility of crawling, the inclusion of radar and improvements in AI. The game is set in 1999, where we follow Solid Snake, called to infiltrate the fictional nation of Zanzibar Land. There, he faces a new threat, Gray Fox, and must prevent the use of a new biological weapon, Metal Gear D.

Policenauts (1994)

Released for the 3DO, PlayStation, Sega Saturn and with a re-release for the PlayStation Portable, Policenauts was a game that mixed exploration, puzzle solving and first-person elements.

Focused on its narrative, the plot takes place in a near future where humans colonize space. The protagonist, Jonathan Ingram, is a Policenaut - a police officer in space. When he is presumed dead and returns to Earth, Jonathan becomes involved in a conspiracy. This title was well recognized outside the East as a visual novel reference and marked Hideo Kojima's foray into the genre.

Metal Gear Solid (1998)

A game that became a milestone in the history of video games. Metal Gear Solid was a sales success, receiving critical acclaim for its story, gameplay innovations, characters and engaging gameplay.

In the game, Solid Snake is called upon to neutralize a terrorist threat led by Liquid Snake. The story involves political intrigue, conspiracies and the characters' genetic legacy, exploring themes of cloning and genetic manipulation.

Kojima took advantage of every possible element of where the game was released. Curious fact that, to defeat one of the bosses, it was necessary to replace player 1's control port with player 2's port so that he would not recognize your movements. If a player uses a turbo controller to cheat in the torture challenge, the player loses instantly - these elements have never been explored with such emphasis in a console game.

It was through Metal Gear Solid that Kojima became a celebrity in the gaming world. With its 3D graphics, voice acting, and cinematic cutscenes, it gave players a much more immersive experience.

Zone of the Enders (2001)

The culture around giant robots is very strong in the East, especially due to Tokusatsus and anime related to this theme, and Kojima would not stop exploring this universe. Released for Playstation 2, Zone of The Enders takes place in a future where colonists on Mars are attacked, leading the protagonist, Leo Stenbuck, to pilot a combat mecha known as Jehuty. The narrative explores themes of war, power and morality.

Featuring fast action gameplay and fluid combat, players control the mecha in aerial and land battles against different types of enemies. The game offers an intense and visually incredible experience, making any fan of battle robots feel part of an anime or series on the theme.

Although Kojima did not directly direct the game, he served as executive producer. Zone of the Enders was originally released with a demo of Metal Gear Solid 2, increasing anticipation for the title.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)

Set in 2007, Solid Snake is once again called on a mission, but this time, players also control Raiden, a newcomer to combat situations.

The plot involves political conspiracies, information control and philosophical questions. The narrative of Metal Gear Solid 2 explored themes that are linked to contemporary issues, such as the manipulating of information and questioning reality.

With this new title in the franchise, Kojima surprised fans by using Raiden as the protagonist instead of Solid Snake. In its later version with bonuses, Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance, we have VR Missions, where we can play with Solid Snake through Snake Tales and Skateboarding Mode, where we skate with Raiden and Solid Snake, in the best Tony Hawk's style.

Boktai: The Sun Is in Your Hand (2003)

Boktai was an extremely innovative game, after all, along with its GBA tape it came with a sunlight sensor built into the cartridge!

When playing as the protagonist Django, a vampire hunter, we must defeat several enemies using the special weapon known as "Gun del Sol" (Solar Gun). The combination of RPG and real-world elements brought an innovation unexpected by players and a unique experience.

Due to its sensor, emulating this game is currently a challenge, and makes it impossible for many people to play it today.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)

Continuing its most powerful franchise, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was a success just like its predecessors. Set during the Cold War, Snake is sent to the Soviet Union to rescue a weapons manufacturer and sabotage an experimental super weapon.

Unlike the previous ones that took place in urban and industrial environments, this new title explored Soviet forests full of technological traps. The use of camouflage and new mechanics impressed the public. It was possible, for example, to light a cigarette and burn the leeches trapped in your body with it after diving into some mud.

Released for PlayStation 2, Metal Gear Solid 3 later received an Xbox and 3DS version where Kojima sought to use the portable's 3D to, once again, innovate the player's mechanics and experiences when entering that environment. In addition to the use of the portable's 3D, this version was the only one that had the most advanced mechanics of its previous versions: walking low and aiming in the third person were two essential features that migrated to the next title in the series.

Death Stranding (2019)

Based on a short story by writer Kōbō Abe, Death Stranding addresses themes such as the connection between life and death. It was the first game published by Kojima Productions after Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami. The game was initially released for the PlayStation 4 and was presented at a conference in 2016.

In it, we play the character Sam Bridges, who must face an apocalyptic event known as Death Stranding: a rain that makes everything it touches age. As a delivery man, Sam carries the last hope for the future of an annihilated world.

Kojima included some elements that connect people through the game's online system, even without players needing to interact directly with each other, but through the environment. Players can leave stairs to help with the path and delivery of the next players who pass through the same location, in addition to leaving messages and tips on where the player can find conflicts, secrets or even a safer route to follow.

Although initially released exclusively for the Playstation 4, the game received an improved version for the Playstation 5, Windows and an iPhone version is in the works!

Hideo Kojima has emerged as an undisputed icon in the video game industry, shaping it with his bold vision and narrative innovations.

From his beginnings with Metal Gear to the creation of Kojima Productions and the release of Death Stranding, his trajectory is a testament to his ability to transcend limits, challenge conventions and establish a legacy without leaving his influences and inspirations aside. His most memorable games reflect a career dedicated to redefining the video game experience, leaving a unique mark on the industry.

Be sure to also check out our latest article about Mortal Kombat and its crossover characters!