Metal Gear protagonist Solid Snake into a gaming icon that's been featured in other titles, like Super Smash Bros. It has been the subject of countless fan art and illustrations that can be used as desktop or mobile wallpapers.
A majority of Metal Gear titles released have featured different versions of the special agent. Early in the franchise's life, Snake underwent some significant appearance changes until Kojima and Konami settled on his look with Metal Gear Solid's release. In 2008, Old Snake was introduced with Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriot, giving fans a look at an aged version of the protagonist.
All of these interpretations of the characters, plus dozens of allies and enemies, have given artists and designers a near-infinite amount of inspiration to create stunning renditions of Snake and the rest of the series' cast. Here are the best Metal Gear wallpapers from each of its major releases. Follow the link underneath each of the images below to find the corresponding full-size wallpapers.
Metal Gear (1987) Background
This background is an extended version of the original Metal Gear from 1987, which introduced the world to Solid Snake and special forces unit FOXHOUND. It was launched on the MSX2 home computer in Japan and subsequently released in English that same year. Snake's final appearance wouldn't be fully realized until a few more years. Image Source: Kontxouso/DeviantArt
Metal Gear 2: Snake's Revenge Background
Snake's Revenge is the 1990 sequel to Metal Gear was released three years after the original, and Kojima wasn't involved in it. The designer had moved on to working on an ambitious new installment for the series that would propel it forward. This release was developed specifically for a Western audience since the original saw so much success in the United States and Europe. Image Source: Teoft/DeviantArt
Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake Background
The same year Snake's Revenge was released, Konami and Kojima also put out Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, a major leap for the franchise. It significantly evolved its stealth-based gameplay and featured a multifaceted storyline that tackled issues like nuclear proliferation.
Metal Gear 2 is considered one of the best 8-bit games ever released and was the foundation for a monumental shift in the series. Image Source: HipWallPaper
Metal Gear Solid Background
Eight years later, the seminal Metal Gear Solid was launched in 1998 on the PlayStation and PC. Konami and Kojima transitioned to 3D graphics, completely altered Snake's appearance, and included voice acting throughout the title. It transformed the series into more of a cinematic experience that few gamers could match at the time. Metal Gear Solid was an overwhelming success and would be adapted into various sequels and spinoffs, comics, novels, and even radio dramas. It's considered one of the most influential games of all time. Image Source: DaveRapoza/DeviantArt
Metal Gear: Ghost Babel Background
Metal Gear Solid was adapted to Nintendo's handheld Game Boy Color devices in 2000 as Metal Gear: Ghost Babel. The release wasn't a direct recreation of the previous release. Instead, it was as an alternate storyline that picks up seven years after the original Metal Gear. Image Source: Yoji Shinkawa/Metal Gear Fandom
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Background
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was the first Metal Gear installment to debut on the PlayStation 2 in 2001 and continued the series' hot streak of excellent storytelling and gameplay with one major change. The release introduced a surprise new protagonist named Raiden, which gave fans a new perspective on Solid Snake. A profile of Raiden can be seen to the left of the wallpaper. Image Source: Wallpaper Cave
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes Background
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes is a remake of Metal Gear Solid, released for Nintendo's GameCube in 2004. It was co-developed by Silicon Knights and Konami under the guidance of Kojima and Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto.
The relaunch featured improvements to graphics, all-new cutscenes, and added gameplay improvements introduced with Sons of Liberty. Image Source: Yoji Shinkawa/Alpha Coders
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Background
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was launched as a prequel to the entire Metal Gear series. Its story begins 31 years before the events of the original Metal Gear. It features Naked Snake as its protagonist, who would later earn the title of Big Boss, Solid Snake's commanding officer in previous titles. Much like Raiden's introduction, this served to give fans a better understanding of Metal Gear's ing cast. Image Source: amirulhafiz/DeviantArt
Metal Gear Acid Background
Metal Gear Acid was a spinoff tactical RPG title that was launched on the PlayStation Portable in 2004. This release was nothing like past installments of the stealth series and featured turn-based mechanics that gave players control of Snake through trading cards. It also reimagined Snake's design with more of a graphic novel aesthetic. Image Source: TeaHub
Metal Gear Acid 2 Background
Metal Gear Acid 2 was a direct sequel to Acid released a year later on the PSP. It picked up the alternate storyline introduced in the previous installment and continued utilizing the original's turn-based, card-game gameplay design. Snake and his allies were once again depicted in the style of comic book heroes compared to the character's past designs. Image Source: JoshCrawford/DeviantArt