Castlevania Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Action-Adventure / Action
Metal Gear
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1987 |
| Genre | Action-Adventure, Action |
| Developer | Konami |
| Publisher | Konami |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | Weekend project (Roughly 6–20 hours) |
| Series | Metal Gear |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 30 |
Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, Metal Gear is an action-adventure game developed by Konami. It blends action-adventure and action elements.
It landed about 2 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1987 include Final Fantasy, Mega Man and Castlevania. Among the 68 NES action-adventure games in our database, it ranks #1 by legacy score.
It is part of the Metal Gear series; on the NES you can also try Snake's Revenge. The series also appears on other systems with Metal Gear Solid (PS1) and Metal Gear Solid (GBC). Konami also made Castlevania, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and Yie Ar Kung-Fu for the NES.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
Pick it if…
- you want to get lost in a long quest
- you have time for a weekend project (roughly 6–20 hours)
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you want a game you can finish in one short session
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Metal Gear is like
Action-adventures blend real-time combat with exploration, puzzles and item collection. You open up a larger world gradually as new tools let you reach places you couldn't before.
Tip for newcomers: Keep a mental (or paper) map of locked doors and unreachable ledges; most action-adventures expect you to come back once you find the right item.
Metal Gear cheats & codes
62 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Don't Take Hits From Bullets | SZUYPZVG |
|---|---|
| No Hits Taken In Hand-To-Hand Fights With Most Enemies | SXVTXZVG |
| Mystery Location 1 | ZASILYPA |
| Mystery Location 2 | GASILYPA |
| Sleeping Enemies Won't Wake Up (Might Not Work) | AKAAZT |
| All Times Are In The Inventory But Cannot Use Them | AOSZUIEL |
Metal Gear walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Metal Gear.
If you like Metal Gear, the Matrix also picks…
Metal Gear Solid Classic
Metroid Classic
Strider Deep cut
Konami Wai Wai World Classic
The Goonies II Classic
Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Metal Gear FAQ
When did Metal Gear come out on the NES?
Metal Gear was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987.
Who made Metal Gear?
It was developed by Konami.
Is Metal Gear multiplayer?
No. Metal Gear is a single-player game.
How long does Metal Gear take to play?
As an action-adventure game, Metal Gear typically falls into the "Weekend project" category: roughly 6–20 hours. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Metal Gear on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.