Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 launches August 27 — and MGS4 finally comes to modern platforms

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Gaming News • Announced during Sony State of Play

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 launches August 27 — and MGS4 finally comes to modern platforms

Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 launches August 27

Konami confirmed the second Master Collection bundle during PlayStation’s February 12, 2026 State of Play. The package is smaller than Vol. 1, but it contains the one title that has been hardest to access for years: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

Release date: August 27, 2026 Includes: MGS4, Peace Walker (HD), Ghost Babel Reveal: State of Play (Feb 12, 2026)

What we know right now

During PlayStation’s State of Play broadcast on February 12, 2026, publisher Konami announced that Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 will launch on August 27, 2026. The official PlayStation Blog post frames Vol. 2 as the “second installment” in the Master Collection line and positions it as the next step in making key Metal Gear titles accessible on modern hardware.

The headline inclusion is Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008), accompanied by Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD remaster, originally 2010), plus a bundle of “bonus content” that includes Metal Gear: Ghost Babel (2000), the Game Boy Color entry that’s become a cult favorite over the years.

Quick take

Vol. 2 may be a slimmer list than Vol. 1, but it contains one of the most requested items in Konami’s back-catalog plans: an official modern release of MGS4, a title that has largely remained tied to the PlayStation 3 era.

What’s included in Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2

Konami’s Vol. 2 lineup is focused on a specific “bridge” in Metal Gear history: it covers a major conclusion for Solid Snake, while also anchoring an important chapter of Big Boss’ story through Peace Walker. The result is a bundle that’s less about breadth and more about filling gaps—especially for players who want the major canon milestones in one modern, officially supported place.

Title Original release What it is Why it matters
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots 2008 (PS3) Story-driven stealth action sequel Historically one of the hardest mainline entries to access officially on modern platforms; Vol. 2 is positioned as a major step toward solving that.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD) 2010 (PSP), HD versions later Mission-based stealth with base building and co-op roots A key chapter for Big Boss and a mechanical foundation for later systems; it’s also a fan-favorite for its “operations” structure.
Metal Gear: Ghost Babel 2000 (Game Boy Color) Handheld Metal Gear entry A respected deep cut that shows how well the series’ stealth identity translated to portable hardware.

Beyond the games themselves, Vol. 2 also includes digital extras such as “Master Books” and screenplays, plus a digital soundtrack (exact packaging can vary by storefront). Retail-focused guides also mention Day One-style bonuses and some cross-save unlock incentives if you have Vol. 1 save data on the same system.

Why MGS4 coming back is a big deal

The Metal Gear series has never lacked for re-releases, compilations, or ports—but Metal Gear Solid 4 has remained the odd one out. For a long time, the practical way to play it “officially” has been: play it on PlayStation 3 hardware. That history is exactly why the Vol. 2 announcement landed with immediate impact.

If you’ve followed Metal Gear conversations for any length of time, you’ve probably heard some version of the phrase “MGS4 is trapped.” Fans mean it in the most literal sense: the title is closely associated with the PS3 era and hasn’t been broadly redistributed the way other major entries have. With Vol. 2, Konami is finally signaling that this particular barrier is being addressed through an official, supported release.

For longtime fans

MGS4 is the conclusion of Solid Snake’s story arc. It’s a “capstone” title—heavy on narrative payoffs, callbacks, and thematic closure. Regardless of how you feel about its tone or structure, it’s historically been hard to recommend “play the whole saga” without also saying, “You’ll need older hardware for one crucial piece.”

For newcomers

The Master Collection line is essentially a guided on-ramp. Vol. 1 offered a major starting point, and Vol. 2 extends that pathway into the era where the franchise’s storylines and systems become more modern—and, for many players, more approachable.

The other reason this matters is symbolic: Konami has been steadily rebuilding its stewardship of the Metal Gear brand. A modern path to MGS4 suggests a broader intention to keep “legacy” Metal Gear content available in an official form—not just as nostalgia artifacts, but as playable, maintained releases.

Vol. 2 vs. Vol. 1: fewer games, more targeted value

It’s fair to look at Vol. 2’s list and think, “That’s it?”—especially if you’re comparing it to Vol. 1’s broader sweep through early Metal Gear Solid history. But Vol. 2 isn’t trying to be the same kind of bundle. It’s filling different holes.

Vol. 1’s job was to establish a baseline: get key early entries into a single “official modern” package and set the Master Collection identity. Vol. 2’s job is more surgical: restore access to an entry that has been unusually difficult to reissue, while also packaging a major handheld deep cut and a meaningful, system-defining chapter via Peace Walker.

Why the smaller list could still sell the bundle

Many collections are “value” by volume. Vol. 2 is “value” by scarcity: it bundles games that are harder to keep in rotation, especially in an official, supported form—starting with MGS4.

This also helps explain why Vol. 2 is likely to be discussed differently: it won’t be judged only on how many games it contains, but on how well it modernizes them—performance, controls, presentation, and long-term access.

Price, editions, and unlocks

Retail buying guides published alongside the announcement list the bundle at $50 and describe a “Day One Edition” style set of extras. Among the noted bonuses are in-game items like a Cardboard Camouflage costume for MGS4 and a Love Box uniform for Peace Walker, plus additional cosmetic unlocks if Vol. 1 save data exists on the same system.

As always with modern multi-platform releases, the safest reader advice is: check your specific storefront listing for the definitive breakdown (especially for physical vs. digital packaging). But as of announcement day, the consistent headline is that Vol. 2 is being positioned as an accessible mid-priced bundle rather than a premium collector-tier release.

What this means for buyers

  • If you mainly want MGS4: Vol. 2 is the clearest official path that doesn’t rely on legacy hardware.
  • If you want the “modern mechanics bridge”: Peace Walker is the standout for systems and mission structure.
  • If you love deep cuts: Ghost Babel is a meaningful inclusion that rounds out the bundle’s historical footprint.

Technical expectations and what Konami hasn’t said yet

The immediate excitement is easy to understand, but the next conversation will be about execution—especially for MGS4. On announcement day, platform holders and press coverage have emphasized the “what” and “when.” The “how” details—resolution targets, frame rate, specific enhancements, and the extent of gameplay tweaks—tend to land closer to release.

Here’s the practical checklist that will matter most as we approach August 27:

  • Performance targets: Whether MGS4 aims for a stable 60fps, a locked 30fps, or multiple modes.
  • Image quality: Resolution, anti-aliasing, and whether the package uses new upscaling or reworked assets.
  • Input and control tuning: Adjustments for modern controllers and accessibility options.
  • Online features: Peace Walker’s multiplayer availability and any server-related specifics.
  • Quality-of-life: Save options, display settings, subtitles, language support, and any platform-specific features.

If Vol. 1 taught the community anything, it’s that players care about the basics: stable performance, clean presentation, and a frictionless way to jump between titles. Vol. 2 will be judged on those fundamentals—especially because its “value proposition” leans heavily on the idea of access and modernization rather than sheer quantity.

What to watch for next

Look for pre-launch technical breakdowns, platform-specific performance notes, and clear confirmation of online feature availability for Peace Walker. Those details will define whether Vol. 2 is merely “available” or genuinely “definitive.”

FAQ

Sources

Primary and reputable reporting used to compile this announcement coverage:

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