Top 9 Iconic Walking Gears from the Metal Gear Solid Game Series

The Metal Gear Solid series is renowned for its future-soldier vibes and advanced weapon systems and gear. Of all the different weapons in the game series, the Walking Gears are the highlights. This listicle is a breakdown of the 9 most fearsome Walking Gears you’ll find in the series — Check them out now!

Also Read: Only Up Is the New Big Indie Game

The Top 9 Walking Gears in Metal Gear Solid

Below, you’ll find the top 9 Walking Gears in the Metal Gear Solid series. We ranked them based on their destructive abilities, durability, and manoeuvrability (Among others). 

#1: Metal Gear Sahelanthropus — Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

The giant walking weapon is feature-packed to eliminate all its enemies. From finding enemies with drones to its heavy armour, Metal Gear Sahelanthropus is a tank. Metal Gear is so formidable because it’s a much more agile Walking Gear than REX. It can stand on two feet and even leap to cover large distances within the blink of an eye. So, escaping its clutches is a challenge in itself. Imagine trying to outrun The Green Hulk.

#2: Metal Gear REX — Metal Gear Solid

Metal Gear REX is probably the most popular Metal Gear because it was the first Gear in the game series. Designed by Hal Emmerich (Otacon), the REX was a war machine that was both durable and powerful. Heck, REX can launch nuclear weapons that can’t be traced back to the source, making this mecha a global threat. 

#3: Metal Gear ZEKE — Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

ZEKE was created by Huey Emmerich and Doctor Strangelove. Unlike other Metal Gears that need a pilot, ZEKE can perform many feats without one. The Metal Gear can fire missiles and nukes and even fires a huge railgun. In Peace Walker, players were able to beat ZEKE by focusing on its legs which were the least armoured parts of this Metal Gear. Also, you might see parts of the Peace Walker in ZEKE inspired by Metal Gear REX. 

#4: Metal Gear RAY — Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Think of Metal Gear RAY as a Metal Gear killer. It’s the perfect predator for Metal Gears because it’s much more agile than the others are. The reason why it’s not ranked higher in this listicle is because it lacks the nuclear powers that other Metal Gears are renowned for. Metal Gear RAY was also engineered for Marine environments and can be piloted remotely or manually. Manually piloting Metal Gear RAY is the only way to unleash its true potential.

#5: Arsenal Gear/Outer Haven — Metal Gear Solid 2/4

Arsenal Gear and Outer Haven are similar to a submarine, but they’re much bigger since they double as a base — So, they’re not Walking Gears. Rather, picture a base that can move underwater and undetected until it’s too late for its enemies to deploy countermeasures. The sheer size of the base means its operators can sneak in behind enemy lines to offer immense support to their allies. So, what’s scarier — A Walking Gear or an underwater moving base?

#6: Metal Gear D — Metal Gear Solid 2: Solid Snake 

Metal Gear D may look cute, but its destructive capabilities are anything but pretty. It’s technically a modified TX-55 and it was piloted by Gray Fox in Metal Gear Solid 2: Solid Snake. The Metal Gear can fire six nuclear missiles, and it has a rotary cannon, machine guns, standard air missiles, thermal motion detectors, and laser sights. The only weakness this monster of a Metal Gear had was its legs which weren’t as armored, compared to its other parts. 

#7: Peace Walker — Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Built by Doctor Strangelove and Huey Emmerich based on the original design left behind by Doctor Aleksandr Granin, Peace Walker was definitely not built for peace. It was gigantic and had two AIs acting as its brain. One controls the Metal Gear’s movement, while the second AI controls how the Metal Gear would attack. Because of its hulking figure, Peace Walker boasts a lot of weapons, such as a flamethrower, S-Mines, drill missiles, and an EM Pulse to destroy incoming missiles. 

#8: Metal Gear EXCELSUS — Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance was a good game for players who were looking forward to controlling a cyborg Ninja like Gray Fox. To that, the studio behind the Metal Gear Solid game series introduced Raiden, whose acting was too cliché. What the studio nailed though, were Raiden’s combat moves and art style. He moves just like a cybernetic Ninja. 

But back to Metal Gear, even players who’ve played this game may have forgotten Metal Gear EXCELSUS because of its boring name. It was a six-legged armed Metal Gear with plasma cannons, blades, and missiles. Also, it could be controlled using a VR cockpit which is sealed up to protect the pilot. Nevertheless, the six legs of Metal Gear EXCELSUS are its weaknesses. 

#9: Metal Gear MK. III — Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots

Metal Gear MK. III was introduced in Metal Gear Solid: Guns of the Patriots, and it was an instrumental Metal Gear throughout the campaign. It was developed by Sunny and Otacon for Solid Snake to gain an advantage when he’s in the fields. Snake used the MK. III to scout, shock, and knock out enemies depending on the situation. 

Heck, it could also turn invisible, making it the perfect Metal Gear for infiltrating the enemy’s lines. It’s kind of like R2-D2 from the Star Wars novels, but the fact that the MK. III ran on batteries and didn’t get a lot of love from fans. 

Our Final Say — Will There Be More Walking Gears?

Hideo Kojima left Konami Computer Entertainment, the studio behind the Metal Gear Solid games. So, the future of Metal Gear Solid is clouded right now. The only way we can have more iconic Walking Gears is if a sequel to Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain is released. That would mean new and old characters, newer weapons, and Mechas. But until then, we can look forward to the Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Which Is the Strongest Metal Gear?

The strongest Metal Gear out there is Metal Gear REX which debuted in the original Metal Gear Solid video game. All the other Metal Gears in the game series, such as ZEKE and Sahelanthropus are inspired by REX. From anti-tank missiles and an electron laser to a big railgun, REX is loaded to the max.

What Is Snake’s Real Name?

Snake, otherwise known as Solid Snake, Iroquois Pliskin, and Old Snake, was officially named David. He’s a former spy, special ops soldier, and mercenary whose name is renowned throughout the world of Metal Gear Solid. In fact, some of the missions that Solid Snake completed could make it onto our list of the best stealth missions of all time. 

Who Is the First Cyborg in Metal Gear Solid?

The first cyborg in Metal Gear Solid was Gray Fox, who had a cybernetic exoskeleton grafted onto his body. His suit enhanced his strength, durability, agility, and speed. Likewise, Gray Fox was able to use a new cloaking technology that made him semi-invisible.