The Metal Gear games are some of the most celebrated titles in the video game industry, so it's no surprise many of them have seen multiple re-releases and ports since their initial, mostly PlayStation-exclusive debuts; it's fitting for a series about clones. Of the games, fans and critics alike often regard Metal Gear Solid 3 as the best of the bunch. Coincidentally, it's also one of the titles Konami has revisited the most.

While many fans have been holding out hope that yet another port of Metal Gear Solid 3—or maybe even a remake—could be on the horizon, such prayers have yet to be answered, nor is there any indication they will be anytime soon. Fortunately, those interested in the critically acclaimed title can still check out the numerous versions of it that exist, but opting to do so raises one important question: Which version of MGS3 is the best?

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Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

MGS3's original PS2 release, Snake Eater, is a fantastic experience. It boasts the memorable story and gameplay MGS3 is known for, as well as a few fun extras like a playable hack-n-slash minigame, and a crossover mode featuring PlayStation's Ape Escape franchise. That said, it might be the most inferior version of the game, not so much because of its quality, but rather what came after it.

Every version of MGS3 to hit store shelves since Snake Eater's 2004 launch is simply superior in terms of gameplay, content, or a mixture of both. Obviously, none of this would have been possible were it not for Snake Eater's success back then, but the original game is virtually obsolete nowadays.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence

While certainly not as catchy a title as Snake Eater, Subsistence was a huge step up for not just MGS3, but for the Metal Gear series at large. The biggest change in this re-release is the inclusion of a third-person, behind-the-back camera that players can control freely—a large departure from the fixed camera angles present in previous games. This new point of view adds more depth to the series' stealth gameplay, as players can now get a better look at their surroundings, which helps immensely when avoiding detection.

Subsistence also comes packed with a few other goodies as well, the most notable being ports of the original two Metal Gear games, the second of which hadn't previously been localized before Subsistence's launch. Also included is a boss rush mode, new content for the Ape Escape crossover mode, and a secret cutscene viewer where players can watch alternate versions of story cutscenes. Another noteworthy feature of Subsistence was the introduction of Metal Gear Online, but the series' first online multiplayer mode has since been shut down.

Suffice to say, this is a pretty content-rich re-release, and it would go on to be a template of sorts for all future ports of MGS3.

Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection

The first and only HD re-release of Metal Gear Solid 3 is pretty much the same game as Subsistence, albeit with a higher framerate and sharper visuals. However, this version of the game is greatly lacking in content beyond the campaign. Aside from the vintage Metal Gear games, nearly every extra mode and feature present in both Subsistence and Snake Eater are missing, which can make this version feel like a step down in some regards.

That said, MGS3 HD redeems itself by being the most convenient version of the game thus far; it's the only one playable on modern consoles. PlayStation 4/5 owners will have to settle for streaming the game via PlayStation Now, but Xbox owners can play it via backward compatibility. Again, one won't have the plethora of extra content afforded by prior releases, but if that's the price to pay to have this game on modern hardware, that's a pretty good bargain.

It's also worth noting that MGS3 HD is available on Sony's cult classic handheld, the PS Vita. It's identical to the console versions in terms of content, but it also features a unique ability to connect to MGS3 HD's PS3 port. The handheld and home console can swap save data back and forth, allowing for alternating modes of play, not unlike a Nintendo Switch.

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Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D

This is the most fascinating port of MGS3. Despite its visuals paling in comparison to the HD re-release, and it being the most content-lite port thus far, MGS3 on the Nintendo 3DS is the most mechanically advanced version of the game. Crouch walking and third-person aiming — two features pivotal to MGS4 and Peace Walker — are not in any other version of MGS3. But they're present here, and their inclusion makes both sneaking and combat a lot smoother. Furthermore, having shortcuts to the survival viewer, radio, inventory, and camouflage menus present on the system's second screen allows players to spend less time perusing menus, as was the case in all other releases of MGS3.

But the game isn't particularly pretty to look at. Its character models are a step up from the PS2 versions', but the framerate is anything but stable. The only thing consistent about it is how choppy it is. Additionally, neither the Nintendo 3DS' cramped layout nor the limited number of buttons pair all that well with a game as mechanically complex as MGS3. Still, the gameplay improvements and portability of this version make it one worth playing, provided players can look past its very noticeable flaws.

The Best Version of MGS3

When all is said and done, the PS2 re-release of MGS3, Subsistence, comes out on top. It improves upon the original game and features the most content of any version of MGS3. However, checking this version out is easier said than done; one must have a functioning copy of the game, as well as a PS2 in working condition. Lacking either of these will likely cost potential players a pretty penny should they wish to pick these items up through resellers, who are notorious for charging premium prices for retro video games.

So Subsistence is the best version, but it's probably not the most cost-effective way to play MGS3, especially if one isn't planning on using a PS2 for any other titles. If money's tight, one's next best option for playing MGS3 would certainly be its HD re-release. It's the cheapest version out there, and if one has an Xbox One or a Series X/S, there's no need to purchase extra hardware. As for the 3D version, if anyone has a 3DS laying around, this odd port of the game is certainly worth a playthrough, but folks shouldn't go out of their way to hunt down Nintendo's discontinued (and price-gouged) handheld solely for this reason.

Metal Gear Solid 3 is available on the Nintendo 3DS, PS2, PS3, PS Vita, and Xbox 360. It is also playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S via backward compatibility.

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