The Best Boss Battle In Every Metal Gear Solid Game
Boss battles are one of several staples of the Metal Gear Solid series, right up there with hiding in lockers and crawling through vents. Each game in the series includes a slew of boss battles, typically pitting the protagonist against a supernatural being, a giant machine, or Ocelot.
Usually, these skirmishes move away from traditional MGS gameplay by offering a more action-packed conflict instead of a stealth-based one. That said, there are a few battles where your sneaking skills come in handy. Whether you're using RPGs or tranq guns, though, the greatest MGS boss fights are ones that offer unique scenarios and opponents. These are the best boss battles each game provides.
Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes doesn't have boss fights, so it isn't included in this collection.
Psycho Mantis
Metal Gear Solid
Metal Gear Solid
Stealth Systems 9.0/10 Released October 20, 1998 ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood and Gore, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan Publisher(s) Konami Engine Fox Engine Platform(s) PS1, PC Powered by Expand CollapseThe original MGS has some excellent bosses, as you spend the game facing off against the best Foxhound has to offer. The greatest battle of them all comes against Psycho Mantis.
It's a very creative fight where Mantis breaks down the fourth wall by talking about other games you've played on the PlayStation and stopping you from using your controller. The fact that you have to plug your controller into the second port to stop him from controlling you is a unique idea. Plus, the way he generally messes with your head throughout the battle is really clever and original.
Fatman
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Stealth Systems Released November 13, 2001WHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALHideo Kojima is no stranger to giving his characters weird names, so a boss being called Fatman isn't that odd for an MGS title. Also, this is a man who rides around on rollerblades while drinking wine through a straw, so his name isn't the only thing odd about him. And this oddness only adds to the intrigue of the battle you have against him in MGS2.
In the said fight, he rolls around, showing surprising grace for someone of his size while planting bombs and shooting at you. So, not only do you have to fight him, but you have to defuse his bombs, too. This makes for a fun and engaging battle.
The End
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
Stealth Action Adventure Systems Released November 17, 2004WHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALThe battle against The End is one of the most intense in the series. This is because you're engaging in a sniper battle against a world-renowned sniper. He also happens to be a master of camouflaging himself.
So, much of the battle is about crawling around, trying to figure out where the old guy is, while hoping he doesn't get the drop on you. After all, he can potentially sneak up behind you, which leads to being locked in a cell and having to escape. Knowing this can happen is part of what creates the tension in this sniper duel. Yet, that is just one of many things that can happen in this iconic battle, which is why it's such a varied fight.
Gene
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops
Stealth Action Systems Released December 5, 2006WHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALPortable Ops is one of the best Metal Gear spin-offs, but it is not as technologically advanced as the main games. This is reflected in the boss battles since none of them are technically brilliant. That said, there is an enjoyable fight against Gene at the end of the game.
Gene was designed to be the successor of The Boss, so he is clearly very tough, as is Big Boss. As the latter, you engage in a fun fight with the villain, who attempts to get into your head. It isn't a cinematic or as grand as other boss fights in the series, but it's a memorable one.
Liquid Ocelot
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of Patriots
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Stealth Systems Released June 12, 2008WHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALOcelot is one of the iconic recurring bosses in the Metal Gear Solid series. In MGS4, though, he is an amalgamation of Ocelot and Liquid due to hypnosis, nanomachines, and whatever else it takes to trick people into thinking Ocelot is Liquid.
Regardless, it means the last battle of the game is a straight hand-to-hand duel between Old Snake and Liquid Ocelot. It's a very cinematic brawl that serves as the end of that era of Metal Gear games. As such, you get to see health bars and hear music that featured in the earlier titles. It's a nice tribute to the series as a whole.
Peace Walker (Second Fight)
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Stealth Systems Released June 8, 2010WHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALPeace Walker is filled with vehicle-based battles. The most notable is the second fight with the titular machine, Peace Walker. It's a classic Metal Gear fight where you have to fire at the mech's weak point repeatedly.
It isn't the most original boss fight in the world, but it stands out from many of the game's main bosses because of how big and impressive the Peace Walker machine looks. Plus, the game is named after it for a reason, as the fight is a major part of the narrative.
The Man On Fire
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Metal Gear Solid 5 The Phantom Pain
Stealth Action-Adventure Shooter Adventure Systems Released September 1, 2015WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALMGS5 isn’t the strongest game in the series for boss fights. Yet, the one against The Man on Fire is entertaining. It isn’t very long, as you simply need to figure out how to extinguish the villain.
Conventional weapons are no use, but there are multiple ways to beat him, including knocking him into the pool, shooting nearby water tanks, and running him off a cliff with a jeep. The varied options for victory and the focus on using your brains over your brawn to win make this one a nice change of pace.
