Listening to the music in the 1980's was tough, if Metal Gear Solid 5 is anything to go by. There was no Spotify, no iTunes, no Pandora - instead, you had to get in your helicopter, fly out to a bunch of different outposts and encampments, and steal a cassette tape from some unsuspecting soldiers' boombox. They can be a bit tricky to find, though, but luckily, you've stumbled across this guide.
One of MGS5's goofiest surprises is the inclusion of several licensed tracks, each one strewn about its two open environments. Not only can you listen to them as you're riding around on D-Horse or infiltrating enemy bases, but you can also blare them on your helicopter's speaker system. Want to ride into battle while blasting Europe's 'The Final Countdown'? Of course you do! Read on, and you'll be on your way to collecting them all.
'Gloria' - Laura Branigan
Location: Angola-Zaire Border - Nova Braga Airport
There are a collection of buildings on the east side of the airport. This late disco-era hit is playing in the southern half of the two story building on the second floor.
Good for the helicopter? This dance floor filler may not exactly inspire fear in your enemies, but it's catchy as hell, and it'll definitely get you pumped for your excursions into the field.
'Kids in America' - Kim Wilde
Location: Afghanistan - Da Shago Kallai
This will probably be one of the first cassettes you find, as you'll likely come across it naturally during 'A Hero's Way'. In case you missed it, it's located on the first floor of the main building in the center of the encampment.
Good for the helicopter? Another poppy hit that'll get you singing along in no time. Good thing enemy guards can't hear you shouting 'woooah', or you'd be screwed.
'Rebel Yell - 1999 Digital Remaster' - Billy Idol
Location: Afghanistan - Mountain Relay Base
This one's another easy tape to spot, and you'll likely come across it in 'Where Do The Bees Sleep?' Just follow the main road down the Mountain Relay Base, and head under a tent right before the massive bridge, and the boombox is resting on some boxes.
Good for the helicopter? Billy Idol may not be as 'edgy' as his persona makes him out to be, but this is a hell of a song. The intro kicks off immediately, and by the time your chopper drops you off, you're already pumping your fist.
'The Final Countdown' - Europe
Location: Afghanistan - Qarya Sakhra Ee
This one's a little tricky to find, mainly because the village is so big. But you're looking for a single hut on the southernmost part of the village. It's inside on a cabinet in the corner right when you walk in. Just keep your ears open for that instantly recognizable synth melody.
Good for the helicopter? This is quite possibly one of the best helicopter songs on this list. That brassy synth intro will immediately strike fear into your foes' hearts.
'Take On Me' - A-ha
Location: Afghanistan - Yakho Oboo Outpost
The main base is separated into two halves, with a heliport in the middle. This cassette is located on the first floor of the southern half of the building, on a table next to a window overlooking the anti-air radar.
Good for the helicopter? Don't get me wrong, this is a great song, but personally, I find it a bit too poppy for the helicopter's loudspeakers.
'Maneater' - Hall & Oates
Location: Afghanistan - Lamar Khaate Palace
If you head inside the ruined palace, you'll find this tune inside a boombox located on a table on the third floor.
Good for the helicopter? Sometimes you need some Hall & Oates. And by sometimes, I mean all of the time.
'Only Time Will Tell' - Asia
Location: Afghanistan - Eastern Communications Post
Here, you're looking for a building that brushes right up against the anti-air radar. Inside, you'll find some radio equipment, as well as the boombox you're looking for.
Good for the helicopter? It's got a great synth intro too, but it's no 'Final Countdown'.
'Love Will Tear Us Apart' - Joy Division
Location: Afghanistan - Central Base Camp
My personal favorite song in the collection, you'll find this underground hit in a tent on the east side of the base camp. There are three blue, single-story buildings directly to the northeast, and a massive concrete structure with a '01' on it directly to the southwest.
Good for the helicopter? No, it's probably not the best song on the list to use for your excursions in the field, but damn if I don't love this song. This was my go-to for a while - well, until I found...
'True' - Spandau Ballet
Location: Angola-Zaire Border - Kungenga Mine
If you look at your map, you'll notice that the main path into the mine goes around a bowl in the center. Follow that road all the way around to the southeasternmost part of village that overlooks the gorge in the middle, and you'll see a white building near an anti-air radar. This tune is in one of the rooms of this building.
Good for the helicopter? You wouldn't think a slow jam like 'True' would be a good fit for storming bases, but there's a certain quality to the dissonance that comes from raining hellfire down on an outpost with a gatling gun while the slow, staccato guitar intro fades in.
If you want some company as you listen then here's how to get D-Dog as a buddy in Metal Gear Solid 5.
