Of all the video games series in existence, few have packed in as many WTF moments as the Metal Gear franchise. Breaking so many narrative norms and gameplay tropes, it is the kind of game series where even if you think you know what’s coming next, you don’t. That is also where the draw lies in this series for many. Just the simple sense of wonder about where the games will go next. Will it be a meta moment? A naughty moment? A straight up “I can’t believe that just happened” moment? Hell, knowing this series, all of the above. Here are the five most WTF and OMG moments from the Metal Gear series. Sorry to sound so ’13 year old girl’ in the title, but Google doesn’t like cussing. Also, no Phantom Pain spoilers as we know some people are still enjoying that game.

Psycho Mantis Boss Battle from Metal Gear Solid (PS1)

Still one of the coolest boss battle of all time.

This was the moment for many of us when we knew this series was something exceptional. We have a bad guy who is mocking us based on our memory card and who can judge our moves if we don’t change the controller port. From then on, all us fans knew anything goes in this series and we loved (and as you will see at some points, hated) them for it.

Raiden Character Swap (and then) Naked Raiden from Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of the Patriots (PS2)

Nope. Didn’t like it then, and still don’t. But GREAT way to screw with your fan’s heads.

First of all, to give us a follow up to one of the most beloved games of all time and not let us play as the character we thought we were playing as and loved was a mind-screw. Raiden was a whiny brat compared to Snake, and it felt like punishment.

That only got worse when we had to play through a later part of the game as a naked, somersaulting Raiden. It was like they ENJOYED making us uncomfortable and confused.

Side note many games later: They do.

Ladder from Hell in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2)

I have had relationships in real life shorter than this ladder climb. Sadly, not even kidding.

Some people may get mad to see this here on the list instead of another boss fight or something, but COME ON. We know the ladder was supposed to be there to make you “reflect on past choices and moments while emotionally preparing yourself for what was about to come”, but that ladder felt like an exercise in cruelty.

It may have only been a two or three minute ladder climb, but when most gamers reflect back, they call it the nine hour ladder climb in their heads because that is exactly how long it felt.

The Perverted Stuff from All Teh Games! (All Teh Gamez!)

Warning: The video below is slightly NSFW in a “someone will never look at you same way if they walk in while you are watching it” kind of way.

Come on, we are all mostly adults here and can admit this series likes getting a little, um, kinky from time to time. To peeping in on Meryl in her underwear in part one to ‘Quiet in the rain’ in the most recent game (and let us not forget the creepy picture taking mini-game in part 4), this series does not shy away from being, um, a little deviant at times.

Yeah, little weird. Moving on…..

Guy Savage Nightmare from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2)

Hell, I STILL wish this Devil May Cry satire game became a real thing. Am I alone in that? Guy Savage rocks.

Wait a second, there is a mini-game in MGS3 where Snake has a nightmare he is fighting a bunch of zombies with meat hooks? Yes, yes there is! And it is pretty much the most badass thing ever. And people wonder why so many people go crazy over this series.

Take to the comments and mention your favorite Metal Gear moments to let us know which ones stood out to you. This list may need a follow-up!

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Tags: gaming, Hideo, metal gear, metal gear series, mgs, Phantom Pain