Konami has finally pulled back the curtain on the next chapter of its legacy collection, and it is safe to say that stealth fans, myself included, have a lot to look forward to this summer. Announced during the latest State of Play, the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 is officially set to land on 27 August 2026, close enough to my birthday, so I know what I’m asking for this year, ha!
The headline act this time around is the long-awaited return of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Having been trapped on the PlayStation 3 nearly two decades, Snake’s final chapter is finally breaking free of its hardware shackles. Joining it in the bundle are the HD version of Peace Walker and a surprising, yet very welcome, inclusion of the Game Boy Color classic, Ghost Babel, which as a big MGS fan, I haven’t actually played before!
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2
This second volume looks to be a comprehensive package for both veterans and those who missed out on the later Hideo Kojima era. Konami is bringing more than just the games to the table, with a suite of digital extras designed to flesh out the lore. However, I am aware a bunch of licensing issues surrounded a MGS4 re-release, so hopefully they’ve not had to change too much to accommodate this.
The collection includes:
- Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – The epic conclusion to Solid Snake’s story, featuring updated resolution and frame rates.
- Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker – The HD Collection version of the tactical masterpiece originally found on the PSP.
- Metal Gear: Ghost Babel – The series’ first handheld title (released in 2000), accessible via the Bonus Content section.
- Digital Books – Includes the Scenario Book with the full script and the Master Book containing story and character insights for each major title.
- Digital Soundtrack Vol. 2 – A dedicated in-game sound player featuring iconic background music and vocal tracks.
Tell me more
For the technical crowd, the most important update is how these games will actually run on modern hardware. Konami has confirmed that Metal Gear Solid 4 will benefit from “improvement in the internal resolution” and an “increase of the maximum frame rate.” Given how much the original PS3 release pushed that hardware to its limits, seeing it run smoothly at higher resolutions will be a treat. If you’ve seen it run in modern emulators, you’ll know this game is seriously beautiful too, so I can’t wait to see it again.
Peace Walker continues to support its robust multiplayer offerings, featuring co-op for two to four players and the Versus Ops competitive mode for up to six players. Meanwhile, Ghost Babel is getting the modern “retro” treatment with screen filters, pixel-perfect display modes, and a much-needed rewind function.
If you are a collector of the first volume, there is some added incentive here. Players with save data from Vol. 1 will unlock the “Gold Camouflage” for MGS4 and a “GOLD” uniform for Peace Walker. Additionally, those who pre-order the collection will receive “Cardboard Camouflage” for MGS4 and the “LOVE BOX” uniform for Peace Walker.
What we think
It has been a long time coming, but seeing MGS4 finally move to modern platforms is a massive win for game preservation. While the first volume had a slightly rocky launch regarding resolution and bugs, it seems Konami has taken that feedback on board for Vol. 2. Ghost Babel is a fantastic “deep cut” to include as well. I haven’t been this excited for a re-release in a very long time, so it simply cannot come soon enough.
Where to buy
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 is scheduled for release on 27 August 2026. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Digital pre-orders are already live on the PlayStation Store, and we expect physical editions to appear at major retailers like Amazon and GAME in the coming weeks. Or, PC gamers can already buy it or wishlist it on Steam here.
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