A history of Metal Gear crossovers

Solid Snake is, quite simply, the man. And he'll soon be a dragon-stabbing man, when Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker and Monster Hunter collide for an epic mash-up. It's not the first time Snake's world and other games have crossed over either, with the Solid one appearing in no fewer than 12 games outside of the Metal Gear Solid series. For a crabby OAP who's seemingly only good for smoking forty a day and slitting terrorists' jugulars, our David is surprisingly versatile. And whether he’s beating Pyramid Head in the High Jump during an athletics game or choking Samus Aran out in a comedy beat ‘em up; the legendary soldier loves to sneak into other characters’ games.

Konami Krazy Racers (GBA, 2001)

One of the earliest examples of the Gear sailing the then relatively untested crossover waters. This is actually the only entry in the list that doesn't include Snake. Instead, our hero's best bud/homicidally unhinged ninja Gray Fox makes an appearance in the underrated kart racer. Sure, he can slice up armies of men with a katana in the blink of an eye, but can he pip Gradius' Vic Viper for a podium place? Not thought.

Evolution Skateboarding (PS2, 2002)

The seminally shit skateboarding sim is most famous for cramming in the mulleted one as a playable character, while it also includes MGS 2’s Big Shell as a level. It might have marked the first time we could play the former FOXHOUND agent outside Metal Gear, but it was still mega rubs.

DreamMix TV World Fighters (Gamecube, 2003)

This ultra low-rent beat 'em up not only featured our really talky mass murderer, it also had a raft of kinda beloved Konami characters stuffed into its roster - people totally love fighters from Bloody Roar, yeah? Oh, and it also features a couple of Transformers, including Optimus Prime. Which officially makes this better than bacon double cheeseburgers, Fridays and The Renaissance.

Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django (GBA, 2004)

The game best remembered for its innovative light sensor also includes our stealthy hero hidden away among all the cornea-crippling action. He appears as a mysterious trader who'll sell your character items. Admittedly, he’s not in the league of Resi 4’s Merchant. But, when it comes to peddling wares out of a flasher’s coat, who is?

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2, 2004)

Awww, just look at those bulging primate peepers. Brings a tear to the eye socket, donnit? Ape Escape's titular ass-scratchers high-jacked Snake Eater, in the frankly awesome Snake vs. Monkey. Turns out, besting giant nuclear-powered robots is easy. Tranquilising glorified gibbons is the tough part.