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“M” means ESRB Mature, a rating intended for people ages 17 and older. For Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, the listed reasons are Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, and Strong Language. But “Metal Gear” is a series, not one game: check the specific title and edition, because its rating descriptors can differ.
What does an ESRB M rating mean?
The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) says games rated M (Mature) may be suitable for people ages 17 and older. Its category can apply to games with intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and/or strong language; “and/or” matters, because an M-rated game does not have to contain every kind of content listed in the category. ESRB’s category explanation describes the age guidance, while its ratings guide explains how rating symbols and content descriptors work together.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Metal Gear Solid The Board Game | $119.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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METAL GEAR SOLID | MASTER COLLECTION Vol. 2 - PlayStation 5 | $49.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol 1 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 (NSW) | $38.79 | Buy on Amazon |
The M symbol gives a broad age recommendation. The descriptors attached to an individual game give more specific information about content associated with its rating or that may interest consumers.
Why is Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain rated M?
The official PlayStation listing for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain names four content descriptors: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, and Strong Language. Those are the listed reasons for this game’s M rating; they should not be treated as a descriptor list for every Metal Gear release. See the PlayStation listing for The Phantom Pain.
#1 Best Overall
- EPIC CAMPAIGN MODE: Dive into a 14-mission campaign filled with stealth, strategy, and iconic boss battles, bringing the Metal Gear Solid experience to your tabletop.
- FLEXIBLE VR MISSIONS: Choose from 6 free-to-play VR Missions for a quick, intense gaming experience. All gear earned is unlocked for future missions.
- UNIQUE BOSS FIGHTS: Each boss requires different strategies to defeat, offering a diverse and challenging gameplay experience.
- ASYMMETRIC CHARACTER ABILITIES: Play as Solid Snake, Meryl, Otacon, or Gray Fox, each with unique abilities that provide new tactical options in every game.
- SAVE THE WORLD: Assume the role of legendary characters to infiltrate enemy bases and sabotage prototype weapon systems, preventing world-ending threats.
Konami also identifies Metal Gear Solid V: The Definitive Experience, a package combining Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain, as ESRB Mature 17+. That rating applies to the named package, not automatically to every game in the series. Konami’s listing for The Definitive Experience.
Do all Metal Gear games have the same rating reasons?
No. Ratings and descriptors apply to particular games and editions. For example, the ESRB entry for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots – Master Collection Version gives it an M rating and lists Blood, Crude Humor, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, and Violence. That differs from the descriptors listed for The Phantom Pain. See the ESRB entry for the MGS4 Master Collection Version.
Rank #2
- GAME LIST: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version), Metal Gear: Ghost Babel. Versions for other regions of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version) can be downloaded separately from the store. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker supports online play for up to 6 players.
- DIGITAL BOOKS: Metal Gear Solid 4: Screenplay Book, Metal Gear Solid 4: Master Book, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Screenplay Book, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Master Book. All are accessible via the in-game Start Menu.
- METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1 SAVE-DATA BONUS*: If a user has saved data for any title included in METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1, you can receive in-game items usable in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version) respectively. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Bonus: Gold Camouflage. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version) Bonus: GOLD Uniform.
These different lists show why it is not accurate to rank the whole franchise with one rating or to assume that one game’s warnings apply to another. The cited listings establish different descriptors; they do not establish that one title is “more mature” than the other.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How does the ESRB assign ratings?
ESRB says publishers submit detailed information and footage representing relevant content, including extreme examples. Raters review those materials and recommend a rating category and content descriptors. The public listing tells you the category and descriptors for a specific game; it does not reveal which particular scene or submitted material determined an individual Metal Gear rating. ESRB’s explanation of its rating process.
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Quick Recap
Rank #4
- This innovative game series was born from the idea of avoiding combat and infiltrating enemy territory undetected
- Title line up: Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2, Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, Metal Gear (NES/FC version), and Snake’s Revenge
- Digital books: Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, Metal Gear, and Metal Gear; Screenplay and Master Books included
- Video: Metal Gear Solid; Digital Graphic Novel and Metal Gear Solid 2; Digital Graphic Novel
- Includes Metal Gear Solid: Digital Soundtrack
Rank #3
- Play at home and on the go
- An ideal gift idea for a loved one
- Game is simple to understand and quick to play
How to check a Metal Gear game before buying or playing
- Identify the exact title and edition. Distinguish, for example, The Phantom Pain from Metal Gear Solid 4 or a collection version.
- Check the rating listing for that release. Use the ESRB entry or the relevant platform’s store listing, and compare the title and edition shown there with the one you have.
- Read the descriptors, not just the M symbol. The category is broad; the game-specific descriptors give the more useful detail for deciding whether its content is appropriate for a particular player.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
