Without warning, Konami has delisted the games featured in the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2.
Delisted games are nothing new – it feels like every other week there's a new story of a classic being removed, leaving no way to purchase them. Typically, these are due to rights issues, with Marvel vs. Capcom, The Simpsons Arcade Game, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game all being ripped from stores over the years. But other times, delistings happen to push you to the new version of the game, like we saw with Rockstar, which delisted GTA 3, Vice City, and San Andreas in favor of the anything but definitive Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition.
Metal Gear games have been delisted in the past, with historical footage used in Metal Gear Solid 2 and 3 causing those games to be delisted in 2021. However, this time around it seems like Konami might have pulled a Rockstar.
After the announcement of Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2 last week, fans noticed that the PS3's Metal Gear Solid 4, PSP's Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker, and its console version Peace Walker HD have been removed from the PS3, PSP, and Xbox stores, meaning the upcoming release will be the only way to get both games digitally. I've personally checked on the PS3, Vita, and Xbox Stores, and can confirm the removal of these titles.
While this sucks anyway, it's especially bad for anyone still on Xbox One, as Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 2 won't be releasing on the last-gen console. So now there's simply no way – outside of tracking down a physical copy – of playing Peace Walker on the platform. Plus, it's a bit unfortunate considering the collection is still six months away, meaning no one will be able to pick them up in the meantime.
As weird as it is to say, however, I really hope it simply is a case of wanting to push players to the new edition, because Monster Hunter content and The Carpenters' music are integral parts to the Peace Walker experience, and them missing from a future re-release would be a huge shame.
