Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eaterhas to be the most promising video game remake sinceResident Evil 2. So manyremakes miss the markand frustrate the fan base, whether due to numerous changes or an entirely new voice cast. The latter, especially, happens quite frequently now, as seen in games likeDead Rising Deluxe Remaster, butDeltagives the fans what they want, keeping the game as faithful as possible while updating elements the original developers likely would have preferred, such as the graphics and controls.
The game’sreleasing on August 28, but before you make your purchase, there’s an important detail to keep in mind. TheXbox Series X|S and PS5/Steam versions are actually different. Both are receiving exclusive modes and unlikeMetal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes, I expect them to remain exclusive. This may sound unfortunate thatMetal Gearis getting thePokémontreatment. However, I actually love it, given the reason behind the platform exclusivity.
Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater Is Getting Platform Exclusive Modes
You Can’t Be Monkeying Around Or Blowing Away Bomberman All At Once
Thefirst platform-exclusive mode to be revealed wasSnake vs. Monkeyin the PS5/Steam versions ofDelta. This mode returns fromMetal Gear Solid 3: Snake EaterandMetal Gear Solid 3: Subsistenceon the PlayStation 2. Snake vs. Monkey is a crossover betweenMetal Gearand PlayStation’s ownApe Escapeseries, and withApe Escapemaking a tiny comeback as one of thebest levels inAstro Bot, it makes sense for the mini-game to return here.
Snake vs. Monkey wasn’t present on theHD Collection,Master Collection, or 3DS port ofMGS3.
For Xbox players, you get a brand new exclusive mode that’s never been in any other version:Snake vs. Bomberman. A crossover betweenMetal Gearand Konami’sBombermanseries, this mode is not a reskin of Snake vs. Monkey, as you may think. It’s an entirely new minigame made for the Xbox version where Snake is tasked with blowing up plenty of Bombermen in spectacular fashion.
Both Of These Modes Look Fantastic
It’s Well Worth Considering Buying Both Versions
Even though Snake vs. Bomberman was clearly developed later, due to the lengthy wait for a gameplay reveal, both modes look awesome. Snake vs. Monkey is the returning minigame with more of a stealth focus, andthe newly updated look is more charming than ever. The new monkey models resemble their appearance inAstro Bot, giving out that comical, charming vibe that’s more effective now than the old PS2 version.
Snake vs. Bomberman appears to focus on the action side of these tactical espionage action games, and I can’t wait. Blowing up stuff is actually a core element in the campaign with destroying munitions sheds. Blowing up Bombermen fits very well within the gameplay mechanics ofSnake Eater, plus the Xbox trailershows traditionalBombermanstages, which is the cherry on top.
Platform Exclusive Modes Can Be Divisive, But The Fandom Is Pleased
Not Having Any Mode For The Xbox Version Would Have Been A Bummer, Man
Normally, with platform exclusivity, the fandom is divisive over it. I recall that back in 2009, people were so upset when the Joker was exclusive to the PS3 version ofBatman: Arkham Asylum, for example. However, forMetal Gear Solid Delta, the fandom understands the reason for the exclusivity: Sony.Ape Escapeis a PlayStation/Sony intellectual property, and while it’s clear they have no problem bringing the mode to Steam, they don’t wantApe Escapepresent on their competitor, Xbox.
As such, Xbox gets an exclusive mode of its own, which is great,as there’s no way around the Sony problem. Some in the fandom speculate that each version will eventually receive all the modes, similar to the platform-exclusive missions inMetal Gear Solid 5: Ground Zeroes. However, given Sony’s ownership of theApe EscapeIP, this is highly unlikely. Umcarabr123 details the following onReddit:
I don’t care if Xbox has an exclusive mode, what matters is that everyone has fun in the end.
That’s what it’s all about, each person having their own incredible mode to play,no matter the platform they choose. It would be a shame if Xbox didn’t have any mode at all to substitute Snake vs. Monkey, like howMortal Kombat 9didn’t have an Xbox-exclusive character compared to Kratos on PS3.
Personally, these modes look so good that I’m buying both versions: one for Xbox and a physical disc copy on PlayStation 5. BesidesDeath Stranding 2, theMGS3remake has to bemy most anticipated game of 2025.Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eaterappears to be my dream remake of this Konami classic, given its faithfulness and additions, but I especially like these platform-exclusive modes, which will hopefully deliver the goods later this Summer.
