Every Snake in Metal Gear Solid, Ranked

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The Metal Gear Solid video game series is well-known for featuring multiple characters named Snake. Although Solid Snake is often linked to this franchise due to his prominence in some of its most celebrated installments, there are other Snakes that appear in the games too, such as Naked Snake, Punished Snake, and Liquid Snake. Despite sharing the same code name, each Snake in the Metal Gear series has distinct traits that make them unique from one another.

Hey there, fellow Metal Gear Solid fans! I’ve put together a personal take on how each Snake (including myself) stacks up across the series, ranked from least awesome to the most epic. Let’s dive in!

6. Edible Snakes

Of course, I wasn’t going to overlook the genuine snakes found in ‘Metal Gear Solid 3’. Although they may not be as significant as other Snakes in the Metal Gear series, the snakes you can collect in MGS3 actually have a substantial role. And if you ponder about it, that might be why the game was originally titled ‘Snake Eater’.

In the world of Metal Gear Solid 3, the unique aspect about the snakes is that they frequently provide Naked Snake, the protagonist, with a greater boost in stamina recovery than any other animals encountered. Given the crucial role that MGS3’s stamina system plays in gameplay, capturing or eliminating these reptiles for consumption becomes significantly important. Their demise was essential to Big Boss’ survival and ultimately completing Operation Snake Eater. Their contribution will forever be remembered.

5. Venom Snake

Alright, let’s talk about the initial character – Venom Snake (also known as Punished Snake), who is the leading figure in “Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.” Without spoiling too much, his real identity forms one of the most significant twists in Metal Gear lore and helps to clarify a major plot point left open after the ending of “Metal Gear Solid 4.

In essence, Venom Snake, a character created by director Hideo Kojima, is widely acclaimed for his complexity and depth. However, compared to other Snake characters, Venom Snake seems to lack a distinct personality, which was a point of debate among fans during the release of MGSV. Interestingly, this game emphasizes the power of language and its influence on the world, yet Venom Snake is mostly silent, contributing to his lower ranking on this list despite his significant role in the Metal Gear saga.

4. Solidus Snake

In a unique twist of events, Solidus Snake holds a remarkable title – he’s the only character who was once also the President of the United States. This singular fact elevates him to the top four. Beyond this exceptional background, Solidus boasts an incredibly stylish appearance among all Snakes in Metal Gear. He sports an eyepatch and a mechanized suit adorned with tentacles reminiscent of Doctor Octopus’ arms.

A notable factor keeping Solidus from ranking higher on this list is that he’s primarily featured in just one game: “Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty”. Despite his limited screen time, the impact of his performance in MGS2 and the climactic final boss battle are some of the most captivating moments within Metal Gear as a series. Admittedly, I’d appreciate more appearances from him, but even with less screentime, Solidus remains an unforgettable character with an impressive design that leaves a lasting impression.

3. Solid Snake

Indeed, it might surprise you to learn that Solid Snake doesn’t often rank among the top three favorites. This character, the hero of the original Metal Gear Solid series and later known as Old Snake in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, is a gaming legend. With his iconic gray-black stealth suit and gravelly voice supplied by David Hayter, Solid Snake is one of the most easily identifiable characters across any medium for the past three decades.

In contrast to other characters in the Metal Gear series, Solid Snake hasn’t received as much solo story development. A significant factor contributing to this is Raiden, who took over as the main character in Metal Gear Solid 2 and relegated Solid Snake to a supporting role. Although Solid Snake’s portrayal as Old Snake in MGS4 is remarkable, his personal storyline shares the spotlight with numerous action-packed sequences that serve to conclude the Metal Gear saga. Despite Solid Snake being an exceptional character, there remains potential for further exploration and development of his storyline.

2. Liquid Snake

In simpler terms, Liquid Snake, the primary antagonist in the Metal Gear Solid series, is exceptionally well-crafted as a villain. His unique ability to take control of others through a disembodied arm sets him apart among video game antagonists. If one doesn’t view Liquid Snake as one of the greatest, it’s hard to think of another villain with such an extraordinary power.

In a slightly different wording: Liquid Snake is portrayed as being somewhat superior to his brother, mainly because we witness him grow and evolve throughout a larger span of time. The portrayal of Eli in ‘Metal Gear Solid V’ is one of the game’s strongest points. Liquid Snake strikes an excellent balance between being ridiculously villainous yet sympathetic, making his motives even more intriguing and entertaining to follow. Although Liquid Snake doesn’t truly take center stage until ‘Metal Gear Solid 1’, his influence is significant across the entire series. Additionally, Cam Clarke delivers a top-notch voice acting performance as any Metal Gear character, making Liquid Snake even more memorable.

1. Naked Snake

Among all the Snakes in the Metal Gear series, Big Boss (formerly known as Naked Snake) stands out as the original and most significant. He is not just a Snake; he’s the father of Solid Snake, Liquid Snake, and Solidus Snake, as they are all his clones. Throughout the series, Big Boss’ actions and decisions significantly shape the overarching Metal Gear narrative that unfolds across each installment.

Within the realm of Metal Gear, Big Boss stands out as the most crucial figure, yet he’s also an individual of remarkable depth compared to others. He endures heart-wrenching trials such as killing his former mentor, The Boss, and repeatedly witnessing the demise of those close to him. This series of events subtly transforms Big Boss into a character who hovers on the brink of villainy, yet his motivations continue to be clear and multidimensional. His complexity and tragic nature are what make him the most compelling Snake in Metal Gear, with Naked Snake ultimately taking

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2025-09-03 02:04