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Nintendo Switch version of Metal Gear Solid Master Collection 2 seemingly removes the PS3 from Snake’s plane, suggesting an iconic joke will have to be changed
Screenshots of the Nintendo Switch version of Metal Gear Solid Master Collection 2 appear to show that a PS3 console has been removed from a scene set aboard Solid Snake's plane, suggesting a well-known in-game joke referencing Sony's console will need to be altered for Nintendo's platform. The change matters to fans because it highlights the awkwardness of porting a franchise with deep, console-specific in-jokes across formats, and raises questions about how faithfully Konami can preserve the original games' humour and detail when bringing them to non-PlayStation hardware.
The joke in question originally poked fun at the PS3 by placing one in Snake's aircraft, a nod to Metal Gear Solid 4's status as a PS3 exclusive at the time of its release. Its apparent removal in the Switch edition of the Master Collection 2 compilation implies Konami has had to rework or cut references that would make little sense, or could look out of place, on a Nintendo system, though the publisher has not yet officially confirmed or explained the change.
In short
- Switch version of MGS Master Collection 2 seemingly cuts a PS3 from Snake's plane.
- The removed console was tied to an iconic in-game joke about PS3 exclusivity.
- Suggests Konami is altering platform-specific humour for the Nintendo release.
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The case for
Adapting console-specific references for different platforms is a pragmatic decision that ensures each version feels coherent and contextually relevant to its audience. A PS3 console in Snake's aircraft carries no particular meaning for Switch players unfamiliar with that hardware generation, and its removal allows Konami to maintain the game's internal logic without anachronistic oddities. This approach reflects standard practice in porting across platforms, where maintaining a native experience for each audience is often more valuable than preserving every platform-specific joke, which may otherwise distract from the gameplay.
The case against
A Master Collection should represent faithful preservation of the original games as their creators intended, including their period-specific humour and references. The PS3 console serves as historical documentation of the franchise's cross-platform legacy and gaming culture, and players can appreciate the joke's significance even without owning the original hardware. Removing elements compromises the artistic integrity of the compilation and sets a troubling precedent for edited re-releases; if preserving the original vision requires a footnote or optional explanation, that is preferable to altering the creator's work.
Explained simply
Metal Gear is a series of stealth action games centred on Solid Snake, a soldier who sneaks into dangerous places to stop threats involving powerful weapons. The games are known for detailed scenes and frequent jokes, including humour that refers to real video game consoles.
Metal Gear Solid 4 originally came out on PlayStation 3, and a scene aboard Snake’s aircraft joked about that console by showing one on board. Konami’s Master Collection 2 brings games from the series to newer platforms, including Nintendo Switch, where PlayStation references may need adapting.
For fans, the question is how the collection will preserve the original games’ humour and details across different systems. Konami has not officially explained the apparent change.