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Hideo Kojima's 10 Most Outstanding Games

Hideo Kojima is considered a legend in the gaming industry. Learn a little about its history and ten games that marked the career of this revolutionary developer!

By Rodolfo Nogueira

translated by Romeu

revised by Romeu

Hideo Kojima: A Remarkable Trajectory in the Games Industry

Born on August 24, 1963, in Tokyo, Japan, Hideo Kojima began his career in the video game industry in 1986 when he joined Konami. His first big success was Metal Gear (1987) for the MSX2, a game that revolutionized the approach to stealth action, shaping the genre and laying the foundations for his future career.

The successful sequel with Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990) cemented Kojima's reputation as an innovative developer, standing out for his engaging narrative and unique game mechanics. During the 1990s, he continued to explore new territories with titles such as Snatcher (1988) and Policenauts (1994), incorporating visual novel and graphic adventure elements.

The arrival of the PlayStation era brought the culmination of collaboration between Kojima and Konami. Metal Gear Solid (1998) took game design to a new level, introducing cinematic narratives, professional voice acting and refined stealth mechanics. The game became a global phenomenon and established Kojima as one of the industry's masters.

Konami's Controversial Departure

However, the partnership between Kojima and Konami had a tumultuous end. During the production of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, disagreements arose between the developer and the company, culminating in the developer's departure in 2015. It was marked by speculation and controversy, leading to a significant redefinition of Kojima's career.

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 (2019), an ambitious work that challenged the conventions of action and adventure games.

Death Stranding and the New Chapter

Death Stranding not only marked Kojima's return to the video game scene, but also introduced innovative concepts such as online connectivity and a dense, symbolic narrative. The game received critical acclaim, highlighting the developer's ability to create unique and provocative experiences.

Hideo Kojima's journey in the gaming industry is marked by his relentless pursuit of originality, complex storytelling and technical innovation.

His career continues to inspire a new generation of developers, proving that video games can be much more than mere entertainment, but profound and impactful art expressions. As he moves on to new projects and challenges, the gaming community eagerly awaits the next contributions from one of the industry's greatest visionaries.

Hideo Kojima's Most Remarkable Games

Get to know a little about ten of Kojima's most memorable games, titles that marked generations, consoles and caused impacts that reflect on the gaming industry to this day!

Metal Gear (1987)

Year of Production: 1987

Platforms: MSX2, NES (later release)

Fun fact: Hideo Kojima, then a novice designer, was inspired by war films and spy novels to create an innovative game, a pioneer in the stealth genre.

Story: Solid Snake, a member of the FOXHOUND special forces unit, is 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. The plot is full of twists and political intrigue, marking the beginning of the complex narrative that would become a Kojima trademark.

Gameplay: The game introduced revolutionary concepts for the time, such as the strategic use of stealth. Players had to avoid enemies, use disguises, and collect information to advance. This contrasted significantly with the straight action games prevalent at the time.

Impact: Metal Gear established Kojima as an innovative creator. The game was a success, leading Konami to expand the franchise. Its influence on game design persists to this day, with the "Metal Gear" series continuing to be one of the most respected in the video game industry.

Snatcher (1988)

Year of Production: 1988

Platforms: PC-8801, MSX2, PC Engine, Sega CD, PlayStation, Sega Saturn

Fun fact: Inspired by science fiction movies, Snatcher is an interactive visual novel that stands out as one of the first games in the cyberpunk genre.

Story: 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.

Gameplay: Snatcher mixes graphic adventure elements with shooting sequences. Players explore environments, collect clues, and make decisions that affect the course of the narrative. The shooting sequences use a point-and-shoot system, innovative for the time.

Impact: The game received praise for its immersive atmosphere, captivating story, and impactful moral choices. Although originally released in Japan, later versions allowed a wider audience to experience Kojima's genius for telling complex stories in an interactive medium. Snatcher solidified Kojima's reputation as an innovative storyteller and game developer.

Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990)

Year of Production: 1990

Platforms: MSX2

Fun fact: Metal Gear 2 was only released in Japan and Europe for the MSX2 computer. It presented significant improvements compared to its predecessor.

Story: Set in 1999, the game follows 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.

Gameplay: Metal Gear 2 improved stealth mechanics and introduced key elements from the series, such as the ability to hide in boxes. The narrative and characters were more developed, providing a more immersive experience.

Impact: Despite its limited availability compared to other titles in the series, Metal Gear 2 is often praised for its engaging narrative, refined gameplay, and for laying foundations that would influence future games in the franchise. The game is an important piece in the evolution of the series and the consolidation of Hideo Kojima's distinctive style.

Policenauts (1994)

Year of Production: 1994

Platforms: 3DO, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, PlayStation Portable (relaunch)

Fun fact: Policenauts is an adventure visual novel, marking Kojima's foray into the police genre and exploring sci-fi themes.

History: The plot takes place in the 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, he becomes involved in a conspiracy.

Gameplay: The game mixes exploration, puzzle solving and first-person shooter elements. The emphasis is on narrative, with player choices affecting how the story unfolds.

Impact: Policenauts is praised for its complex narrative, well-developed characters, and thematic exploration. Although it had limited availability outside of Japan, it gained international recognition over time as a masterpiece of the visual novel genre. This title demonstrates Kojima's versatility in creating innovative interactive experiences.

Metal Gear Solid (1998)

Year of Production: 1998

Platforms: PlayStation, PC

Fun Fact: Metal Gear Solid is often credited with popularizing stealth action games and introducing the series to a new generation of gamers.

Story: 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.

Gameplay: Introduced refined stealth mechanics and a more cinematic approach with long cutscenes and professional voice acting. The emphasis on narrative and characters set a new standard for action games.

Impact: Metal Gear Solid is considered a milestone in the history of video games. In addition to commercial success, it received critical acclaim for its innovative narrative, charismatic characters, and engaging gameplay. The game cemented Kojima's reputation as a master at creating immersive experiences.

Zone of the Enders (2001)

Year of Production: 2001

Platforms: PlayStation 2

Fun fact: 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, building anticipation for the latter.

Story: The game is set 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.

Gameplay: Zone of the Enders is known for its fast-paced action and fluid combat mechanics. Players control the mecha in aerial and ground battles against varied enemies. The game offers an intense and visually stunning experience.

Impact: Despite initially attracting attention due to the Metal Gear Solid 2 demo, Zone of the Enders has gained its own merit. Its innovative gameplay and bold visual design made it a memorable title, consolidating Kojima's ability to work across different genres.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)

Year of Production: 2001

Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, PC

Fun fact: Kojima surprised fans by introducing Raiden as the protagonist, subverting the expectations established by Solid Snake in the previous game.

Story: 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 dilemmas.

Gameplay: Introduced advanced combat mechanics, including the ability to shoot in multiple directions while moving. The game maintained stealth elements, but also included intense action sequences and more complex scenarios.

Impact: Metal Gear Solid 2 was a watershed in video game storytelling, exploring themes of information manipulation and questioning the nature of reality. Although initially controversial, the game is now recognized for its boldness and influence on the evolution of narrative in electronic games.

Boktai: The Sun Is in Your Hand (2003)

Year of Production: 2003

Platforms: Game Boy Advance

Fun Fact: This game has a solar sensor built into the cartridge, allowing light conditions to affect gameplay, adding a unique element to the game.

Story: The protagonist, Django, is a vampire hunter. Set in a world plunged in darkness, it seeks to defeat enemies using a special weapon that needs to be recharged with sunlight.

Gameplay: Boktai combines elements of action, RPG and strategy. The reliance on sunlight not only affects gameplay, but also adds an element of immersion by connecting the player's experience with the real world.

Impact: Despite its limited availability and solar sensor not being universally appreciated, Boktai is notable for its innovative integration of real-world elements into gameplay. It demonstrates Kojima's penchant for experimenting and creating unique features, even on limited platforms.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)

Year of Production: 2004

Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox, 3DS (remastered version)

Fun fact: Snake Eater serves as a prelude to the entire Metal Gear series, introducing Solid Snake's mentor, who later becomes Big Boss.

Story: Set during the Cold War, Snake is sent to the Soviet to rescue a scientist. The plot involves betrayals, character development and events that shape the future of the series.

Gameplay: Introduced the camouflage system, allowing players to blend into the environment. Hunting and survival also became crucial elements, adding depth to the gameplay.

Impact: Snake Eater is often praised as one of the best in the Metal Gear Solid series, standing out for its engaging narrative, complex characters and gameplay innovations. It is a milestone in the evolution of the series and in Kojima's ability to tell deep and engaging stories.

Death Stranding (2019)

Year of Production: 2019

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows (later release)

Fun fact: This is the first title from Kojima Productions after Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami. Death Stranding is an action-adventure game, but it also incorporates innovative social elements.

Story: The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where the living and the dead share the same space. The protagonist, Sam Porter Bridges, embarks on a journey to reconnect isolated societies and save humanity from extinction.

Gameplay: In addition to exploration and combat, Death Stranding introduces a revolutionary concept of online connectivity. Players can share structures, resources and messages in a shared world, emphasizing collaboration between players.

Impact: Death Stranding has received praise for its unique narrative, intense atmosphere, and innovations in game design. It demonstrated Kojima's ability to create experiences that defy convention and create emotional connections between players.

Conclusion

In short, Hideo Kojima has emerged as an undisputed icon in the video game industry, shaping it with his bold vision and narrative innovations. From the beginnings with Metal Gear to the creation of Kojima Productions and the release of Death Stranding.

His career is a testament to his ability to transcend limits, challenge conventions and establish a legacy. His 10 most memorable games reflect a career dedicated to redefining the gaming experience, leaving a unique mark on the industry.

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Rodolfo Nogueira

Casual player, professional Guitar Hero guitarist, hand model and hobby hero.

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