Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 are returning to sale

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Konami says "preparations are underway" to bring the games back following their delisting in 2021.

Metal Gear Soild 2: Sons of Liberty
(Image credit: Konami)

The very first Metal Gear launched on July 13, 1987—exactly 35 years ago today. As part of its big anniversary celebration, Konami has announced that two of the oldest games in the series—Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3—are going back on sale.

MGS2 and 3 were delisted in late 2021 because of their use of licensed footage in cutscenes, including news footage of US president John F. Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis. The licenses for those clips had expired and, like good music in a Grand Theft Auto game, that meant they had to disappear. Konami said at the time that the delistings were temporary, and while we still don't have a date for their return, we at least now have confirmation that it's happening.

"Today marks the 35th anniversary of the #METALGEAR series!" the studio tweeted. "Thank you to everyone that enjoyed and celebrated the series so far. We ask for your patience as preparations are underway to make the temporarily removed titles available again."

Konami hasn't said whether the licenses for the troublesome video clips have been renewed, or if the segments have been replaced or cut completely, but whatever solution was found, the return of the games is good news. They're aged—Metal Gear Solid 2 originally came out in 2001, while MGS3 followed in 2004—but they're also excellent and widely acclaimed: Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty has a 96 Metascore, while Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater clocks in at 94.

I've reached out to Konami to ask about a timeline for the return of the games, and will update if I receive a reply.

Andy Chalk
Andy Chalk
US News Lead

Andy has been gaming on PCs from the very beginning, starting as a youngster with text adventures and primitive action games on a cassette-based TRS80. From there he graduated to the glory days of Sierra Online adventures and Microprose sims, ran a local BBS, learned how to build PCs, and developed a longstanding love of RPGs, immersive sims, and shooters. He began writing videogame news in 2007 for The Escapist and somehow managed to avoid getting fired until 2014, when he joined the storied ranks of PC Gamer. He covers all aspects of the industry, from new game announcements and patch notes to legal disputes, Twitch beefs, esports, and Henry Cavill. Lots of Henry Cavill.