Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 on Nintendo Switch Doesn’t Include All Games on the Cart

Now Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 is out, players are learning more about what is — and isn’t, on the disc. And in the case of the Nintendo Switch version of the hotly anticipated collection, fans have realised not all the games are on the cartridge.

According to redditor Scars1023, the Nintendo Switch cart includes the following games only:

• Metal Gear (MSX)
• Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
• Metal Gear (NES)
• Snake’s Revenge

That means Metal Gear Solid 1, 2, and 3 must be downloaded. The back of the Nintendo Switch box confirms the game requires a download of at least 32GB, and a microSD card is required. Konami’s website offers more detail:

To enjoy all available content, game data must be downloaded (free).
-Internet connection required
-25.0 GB ( + 12.2 GB for bonus videos )

A microSD card (sold separately) with free storage space of minimum of the amount listed above is required to download this game.
*The bonus video content is referring to Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel and Metal Gear Solid 2: Digital Graphic Novel.

Minimum Space Required:

• Physical Version : 25.0 GB ( *Front loaded onto cartridge : 2 GB )
• Metal Gear Sold – Master Collection Version : 7.6 GB
• Excl. MG & MG2 : 7.4 GB
• Incl. MG & MG2 : 7.4 GB + 0.2GB ( MG & MG2 )
• Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty – Master Collection Version : 6.6 GB
• Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – Master Collection Version : 10.5 GB
• Bonus Content : 0.3GB + 12.2 GB for bonus videos

In a note to press sent to IGN, Konami said: “The cartridge or digital install size for the Nintendo Switch is reflective of the included bonus content. Players can choose which title they wish to install first once they have downloaded it onto their gaming platforms.”

As you’d expect, some Nintendo Switch owners have criticised Konami for the decision. Here’s a snippet of the reaction:

Well this is more insulting than I expected. They couldn’t even be bothered to include the games on the cart? I’d be willing to bet even the subpar Vita ports of 2 and 3 are better option lol. https://t.co/u0vvzdrwwF

— John Linneman @dark1x.bsky.social (@dark1x) October 24, 2023

That sucks.

— Genki✨ (@Genki_JPN) October 24, 2023

“Man, these games running at 30fps on Switch is the worst!”
Konami: hold my beer

— Davide Salvadori (@Tapirodonte) October 24, 2023

Where’s the “Solid” half of the collection? Do the pictures on the box count?

— AharonTheHenshinWolf89 (@HenshinWolf89) October 24, 2023

False advertising in decades to come where official servers to download updates shuts down completely.

Those 3 games on the boxart unplayable without download is peak F U lol.

The current state on cart is more like: “The 8-bit collection, minus Ghost Babel GBC”

— Greenalink ⚔️ (@Greenalink) October 24, 2023

That’s not all on the Nintendo Switch version. Konami today said the download of the videos included in the bonus content for the Switch version is suffering issues. The videos affected are:

• Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel
• Metal Gear Solid 2: Digital Graphic Novel
• METAL GEAR SOLID BANDE DESSINÉE
• METAL GEAR SOLID 2 BANDE DESSINÉE

Konami apologised and said it was working to sort the problem out: “We are working towards resolving this issue as soon as possible. We deeply apologise for the inconvenience and we ask for your patience while we investigate.”

This week, IGN reported on a number of issues with the collection that Konami flagged it would address in post-launch updates. The most worrying affects Metal Gear Solid 2, which Konami warned may significantly slow down in certain cutscenes. A patch to reduce processing load is planned.

PC players should know Metal Gear Solid 1 requires a controller in order to play (playing with a keyboard and mouse isn’t supported). The collection has also faced criticism for locking Metal Gear Solid 1 to 30 frames per second.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.