For console runs, the version and region you play Metal Gear Solid on is important. It can affect in game lag, loadtimes, what cutscenes can be skipped, and boss strategies.

Interested in the PC Version? PC Version

PAL plays at 50hz. This means that the game operates at a lower framerate than NTSC. Due to this, running PAL is NOT RECOMMENDED. The lower framerate applies both to digital PAL releases on the Playstation Network and CD-ROMs.

NTSC plays at 60hz. This means that the game operates at a higher framerate than PAL. Therefore, NTSC is more playable and recommended for running. While the refresh rate is the same between US and JP, Japan has the fastest version.

• Health depletion for Hind is visually different
• Hind can fly extremely low when looping
• Wolf i-frames are longer
• Vulcan Raven loop does not work!
• Gray Fox speech is shorter
• Voice acting is in Japanese
• Includes only Easy difficulty, with Rank 1 being Big Boss
• Number of Torture Rounds is three
• The “Sleeping late as usual, eh Snake?” cutscene is unskippable

• Includes Easy, Normal, Hard and Extreme difficulty
• Number of Torture Rounds depend on difficulty
• The “Sleeping late as usual, eh Snake?” cutscene is unskippable
• Walkway guard shot patterns are more focused, which makes it easier.

• Notably, PAL has multiple language dubs that are hilariously bad. SpeedDemosArchive has a PAL Extreme run by MGSlade, which can be found here.
• The lower framerate makes the speedrun worse
• Includes Easy, Normal, Hard and Extreme difficulty
• Number of Torture Rounds depend on difficulty
• Torture is easier on PAL due to the lower framerate
• The “Sleeping late as usual, eh Snake?” cutscene is unskippable

• Includes Very Easy, Easy, Normal, Hard and Extreme difficulty
• Number of Torture Rounds is three
• Includes VR Missions on Disc 3
• PocketStation functionality
• Released to PC
• Voice Acting is in English
• Includes a special mode for Normal difficulty, where you can shoot and move in FPV.
• Includes an Alternate Round mode, which has different guard patterns and camera spots.
• The “Sleeping late as usual, eh Snake?” cutscene is skippable
• The initial New Game load is slower compared to the US version
• Walkways guard shot patterns are typically more scattered, which makes it harder.

This section will compare mediums for playing MGS1.

Digital releases of Metal Gear Solid 1 remove in game lag (i.e. framerate drops). Since the IGT does not take into account framerate drops, you will save time over CD-ROM. The issue is that certain strategies may require different execution due to the steady framerate (e.g. the Wolf fights). The digital release can be played on PS3, PSTV, PSP and PSVita.

PSTV/PSP/PSVITA

With Fast Disc Speed, Metal Gear Solid on PSP hardware is the fastest way to play the game. Due to the control scheme on PSP, it is not recommended to run it on a PSP. The best way to play on a PSP 2K or 3K is to set the analog nub to inventory menus, or else menus become very slow. The most viable method to play on PSP is the PSP Go while utilizing the bluetooth controller feature. Even this is not recommended, because connecting a DualShock 3 this way creates latency. PSTV (which is a PSVita in a plastic shell) allows you to connect DualShock 3s or 4s.

It has been shown that PSP3K loads slightly faster than PSTV, but due to the control scheme (losing analog or losing unequip item/weapon) you will likely lose time.

PlayStation TV Menu Operations for disc change and controller change do not count against the In Game Timer.

PS3

The digital release on PS3 is not recommended for speedrunning. The load times are very slow on PS3. Thankfully, if you already bought MGS on PS3 you can re-download it for PSTV. PS3 Menu Operations for disc change and controller change do count against the In Game Timer.

PS Classic

A sorry excuse of emulation compared to PS1 emulation on PC. It runs off the PCSX ReARMed fork, an open source emulator. Apparently, the name of the disc filescauses issues. It runs as if it is the PAL version running at 50hz. This is by far the worst way to run the game.

The physical releases of MGS1 have in game lag, but it varies depending on the method of play. Later revisions of the PS2 Slim Model (after 70k) introduce more lag than the original Slim in certain areas. You can play the physical version of MGS1 on PSX, PS2 and PS3.

PS2

The fastest method for running physical MGS1. Turning on Fast Disc Speed at the PS2 Browser will improve load times immensely. There are two problems with running FDS. Textures can disappear, flash or have strange unintentional patterns, which can be distracting or negatively impact your run. For instance, Revolver Ocelot's ammo count may disappear, requiring the player to count shots. There is an increased possibility of CRASHES and SOFTLOCKS at various points in the game. Cutscenes may not load, certain areas may not load, or the player can get stuck in an infinite elevator ride. How likely this is to occur may depend on the PS2 Model. Alternatively, you can play on Standard Disc Speed. This speed is similar to PSX read/load times. The amount of lag in game can be reduced depending on the PS2 Model No. you are playing on. For example, 70k has less lag in Tower B compared to 90k.

PS1

The purist's method for running MGS1. The writer does not know which Playstations load faster or slower for MGS1. Playing on a PSone (the later, smaller revision) may help due to the relative age of the laser compared to mid 1990's models.

PS3

Does not remove lag, unlike the digital version. Loads are poor.

The fastest way to play Metal Gear Solid on console is to play the Integral version on a PSTV with Fast Disc Speed enabled. PSPGO may in fact be the fastest way to play, narrowly beating out PSTV, but cannot be confirmed at this time. The slowest way to play Metal Gear Solid on console is to play the PAL version on a PS1/PS3, or PSClassic.

Speed Order by Region

• NTSC-U/J
• PAL

Speed Order by Version

• Integral
• NTSC-U
• PAL

Speed Order by Console

• PSP/PSVita/PSTV FDS
• PS2 FDS
• PS1/EMU/PS2 SDS
• PS3
• PS Classic¹⁾

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