Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater review

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is the strongest stealth game on the PS2 and the pick for players who like systems. Konami describes it as the origin story of Naked Snake and his mentor The Boss, set in a deep jungle where Snake must recover his equipment. Camouflage and face paint matched to the surroundings let you hide from guards, you capture jungle animals for food to regain stamina, and Close Quarters Combat gives a martial arts option for fights at close range. That depth is why it sits near the top, and also why it scores lower on ease of setup than the action picks. DKOldies lists the used disc at $29.99 before sales. Konami's Master Collection Version on Steam includes a digital Screenplay Book and Master Book, a good option for emulator and PC players who want a legal copy. Expect long cutscenes.

Who it is for

Stealth fans and collectors who want the deepest systems on the console.

Price

Used PS2 disc from $29.99 at DKOldies (regular price, before sales).

Original price: $29.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Origin story of Naked Snake and The Boss, the fifth game in the series
• Camouflage and face paint matched to the environment to avoid detection
• Capture jungle animals for food and to regain stamina
• Close Quarters Combat (CQC), a martial arts system for close fights
• Master Collection version on PC includes a digital Screenplay Book and Master Book

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Camouflage, survival and CQC give each area several approaches
• Strength: Konami still sells it in the Master Collection, so it is easy to replay legally
• Strength: Regular used price of $29.99
• Weakness: More systems to learn than any other game here
• Weakness: Rated M on the PC re-release
• Weakness: Long story scenes slow the pace for some players

Key facts

• Publisher: Konami
• Series entry: Fifth METAL GEAR title
• Setting: Deep jungle
• Signature system: Camouflage and CQC
• ESRB (PC re-release): Mature

Where it ranks

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is No. 4 in our Best PS2 Games of All Time verdict.