Hideo Kojima is known as the creator of theMetal Gearseries, a series that has gaineda lot of admirationfrom fans. With his recentrelease ofDeath Stranding, fans of Kojima’s workare probably curiousabout past projects he has worked on and how he got started in making games. By looking at his Wikipedia page, it is possible to see some of the first games Kojima worked on, acting as designer and writer for a few.
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There is a variety of games, ranging from rhythm games to action games. Fans will also notice Kojima worked on a variety of games until theMetal Gearseries became popular.
10Penguin Adventure (1986)
Penguin Adventurewas a game created in 1986 and was the first game Kojima worked on as a game designer. The game was a sequel toAntarctic Adventureand was released on the MSX. It has the distinction of only being released in Japan and Europe.
The player plays as a penguin named Penta as he tries to bring a golden apple to cure a penguin princess named Penguette. Levels take players through multiple types of levels, including forest levels, ice levels, water-based levels, caves, and an outer-space level. It is interesting to note, Kojima tookinspiration from this gamewhen he createdMetal Gear Solid.
9Metal Gear (1987)
Metal Gearkicks off the series, being released for MSX2 in 1987. It follows Solid Snake as he rescues allies anddestroys a Metal Gear.He is also tasked with killing Big Boss, who is retconned inPhantom Painto be Venom Snake. The game was also released in the HD version of Snake Eater for PS3 and Xbox 360.
Kojima worked as the director, writer, and designer for the game. It should be noted this is before the series adopted theSolidpart of its name and does not include supernatural elements.
8Snatcher (1988)
Snatcherwas released in 1988 for the PC-8801 and the MSX2. Kojima worked as a writer and designer for this game, with the game being heavily influenced byBlade Runner. The game has androids called Snatchers killing humans and replacing them in society.
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The game is considered to be one ofKojima’s adventure masterpieces, having excellent writing and gameplay. Fans will also be able to catch someMetal Gearreferences, such as the nightclub being named Outer Heaven and the sidekick’s name being Metal Gear.
7Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990)
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snakeis a sequel toMetal Gearthat was released in 1990, having Kojima as the director, writer, and designer again. The game has Solid Snake infiltrate an area called Zanzibar Land to rescue a kidnapped scientist and destroy a revised Metal Gear.
The game is noted as being very well done,receiving universal-acclaimfrom retro game reviewers. The game was released again as part of theMetal Gear Solid HD Collection, allowing players to play the game for themselves.
6Policenauts (1994)
Policenautswas released in 1994 and had Kojima as the writer, director, and designer of the game. The player plays as an astronaut who was put into a cyrosleep after an incident at a space colony sent him into space for 24 years. When he awakes, he travels to Los Angeles where he becomes a detective.
He investigates the murder of his ex-wife, which causes him to unveil an organ trafficking ring. The gamewas praisedfor having a good quality of animation, voice acting, and an engrossing setting.
5Metal Gear Solid (1998)
Metal Gear Solidis the first 3D game in the series, taking players to Alaska to stop a rogue army. Kojima again acts as the director, designer, and writer of the game, introducing players to the start of a popular series. Players fightFOXHOUND, meeting many characterswho will return in later titles.
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The game’s mechanics are impressive, having enemies recognize and follow the player’s footsteps in the snow. It also requires the player to use stealth, as alerting enemies are sure to lead to their death.
4Beatmania Console Ports (1998-2002)
Beatmaniais a rhythm game that saw Kojima as the producer. The game was also an arcade machine, but Kojima only worked on the console ports of the game. The series began in 1998, with the last game in the series being released in 2002.
It should be notedBeatmanialed to a rise in music games in 1998. The PlayStation release of the game was originally only available in Japan, but one version of the games was released for Europe.
3Beatmania IIDX Console Ports (2000-2002)
Beatmania IIDXonce again saw Kojima as the producer of the console ports. The console versions of the game had players use a turntable controller, but players can also still use a regular controller to play. As of 2020,Beatmania IIDXarcade cabinets can still be found in arcades.
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The game features a selection of genres and artists, using licensed and in-house music. An original soundtrack can be found for fans of the music in the game.
2Metal Gear: Ghost Babel (2000)
Metal Gear: Ghost Babel,released asMetal Gear Solidin countries other than Japan, was produced by Kojima in 2000. The game was released for the Gameboy Color and returns to the old 2D style of earlierMetal Geargames. The game takes place in an alternate timeline of the originalMetal Gear.
The game has players return to Outer Heaven, this time named Galuade and occupied by the Gindra Liberation Front. The gamereceived critical acclaim, achieving a 10/10 from IGN and being the highest ranking Gameboy Color game on GameRankings.
1Zone of the Enders (2001)
Zone of the Enderswas produced by Kojima in 2001 and was released for the PlayStation 2. The game has players fight in mechas around Jupiter, playing as a survivor of an attack. The goal of the game is to defend towns from enemy forces.
The game was rereleased for the PS3 and Xbox 360 as part of the Zone of the Enders HD Collection in 2012. The game spawned two sequels, including two games relating to the series.
