Solid Snake: David Hayter’s Best Video Game Roles

Summary

David Hayter’s grizzled voice helped define Metal Gear’s Big Boss and Solid Snake.
He showcases a range across genres—from stealth heroes to samurai hunters and gritty NPCs.
He’s more than games, voicing anime roles and co-writing major films.

As an ardent fan, I can’t help but acknowledge the indelible mark David Hayter has left on my gaming experiences, particularly with his iconic portrayal of Big Boss and Solid Snake in the Metal Gear series. The grizzled voice that emanated from those characters is a significant part of what makes the series such a masterpiece for many of us. It’s hard to imagine the series without him. While he may have ventured into other realms of creativity outside the game world, his talent remains undeniable. Interestingly, sometimes you might find him credited as Sean Barker, but regardless of the name, his voice continues to resonate strongly.

David Hayter, known for his roles as Bernard Wiseman in Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket and Lupin the 3rd in The Castle of Cagliostro (2000 dub), has also penned the scripts for the first two X-Men movies. Given his extensive career, let’s delve into his most memorable video game voice-acting performances.

Big Boss (Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker)

A Bigger Metal Gear On A Portable

In Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Hayter’s initial depiction of the character known as Big Boss was actually under the name Naked Snake. However, his portrayal in this game wasn’t drastically different from how he portrays Solid Snake. This changed significantly in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

Although initially developed as a spin-off for the PSP, this game is considered canonical, with a compelling narrative that significantly influenced the series as a whole. In this game, Big Boss is constructing a mercenary kingdom, and he shows deep concern for each of his soldiers to such an extent that it’s self-sacrificing. Hayter’s powerful performance makes it easy for players to believe in the sincerity of these emotional depictions.

Solid Snake (Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots)

Old, But Still Legendary

David Hayter initially stepped into the legendary character of ‘Solid Snake’ in the game ‘Metal Gear Solid’, and although the character has undergone some changes throughout the years, Snake continues to embody true badassery. Among all the depictions of Snake, ‘Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots’ stands out as particularly noteworthy.

In the face of the FOXDIE virus causing Snake to age rapidly, Hayter had to portray him as an elderly figure, which proved to be a formidable task. However, Hayter met this challenge squarely and emerged victorious, making Snake appear grumpier than normal, while also visibly fatigued, yet unwavering in his commitment to his mission.

Zangetsu (Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night)

Before KPop Demon Hunters, There Was Zangetsu

Ritual of the Night is a game that carries on the legacy of Castlevania, particularly those games classified under the Metroidvania genre. The main character in this game is named Miriam, who has the unique ability to enhance her powers by absorbing abilities from defeated demons.

Instead of Zangetsu, you encounter this demon hunter called Zangetsu throughout your journey, and he is voiced by Hayter. With his voice acting and samurai demon hunter appearance, Zangetsu exudes a sense of coolness that is hard to ignore. However, in the games where he’s playable, you might not hear Hayter’s famous gravelly tones as extensively because these games are pixel art with primarily text-based dialogue. If you’re yearning for Hayter’s distinctive voice, it would be best to start with “Ritual of the Night” first.

Osamu Kashiwagi (Yakuza 0)

A Steady Bartender

Osamu is a character who features in multiple Yakuza games, however, David Hayter lends his voice to him only in titles that include an English dub, such as Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth. In these games, Osamu is portrayed as being younger and having stronger connections with the Yakuza, as opposed to just working as a bartender. The last two titles take place several decades after Yakuza 0.

Regardless of whether he’s associated with the Yakuza or simply tending bar for tired wanderers, Hayter delivers a nuanced yet robust performance. A touch of wisdom behind the bar in a video game certainly adds an appealing element.

Winter Soldier (Marvel Heroes)

A Different Take On Bucky

Fans are still disappointed that Marvel Heroes was closed down in 2017 after many years of operation, even though it offered a free-to-play game experience similar to Diablo. The game featured numerous characters from Marvel comics for players to choose, such as the Winter Soldier.

In this portrayal, I find Hayter’s Winter Soldier strikingly distinct from the familiar Sebastian Stan version of the character in the MCU. Unlike the adaptable and rule-bending Winter Soldier we know, this version exudes a roughness reminiscent of Solid Snake. However, instead of bending rules to suit his whims, he appears to be a dedicated soldier who places high importance on executing commands precisely.

Daniel Zager (Republique)

Dead Drops

The story unfolds in a dystopian future where everyone is under constant surveillance. In this oppressive environment, a brave young girl named Hope embarks on a journey to evade the tyranny. To survive, she must shatter the boundary between the real and virtual worlds by addressing the player directly. Hope pleads for your assistance in guiding her through this world, manipulating the all-seeing security cameras that are ubiquitous within it, from your vantage point behind a desk.

In this instance, Hayter isn’t imposing physically but makes his mark through a series of recorded messages. His character, Daniel Zager, was a journalist whose life ended prematurely. There are numerous items to gather, and these pieces contribute to the enigma surrounding who Daniel truly was, thus enhancing both the character and Hayter’s portrayal of him.

Jeremiah (The Long Dark)

A Wintery Surprise

In simpler terms, “The Long Dark” is a survival game that unfolds over multiple episodes, predominantly set in the challenging cold landscapes of the Canadian north. At the culmination of the first episode, the main character, Will, encounters a character voiced by David Hayter, named Jeremiah.

In the second installment, Will predominantly assists Jeremiah in his recovery process. Hayter’s portrayal strongly resembles Old Snake from Metal Gear Solid 4, as Jeremiah shares a similar rugged hunter spirit. Although Hayter might have shone more as the main character in The Long Dark, he still delivers an impressive performance in his supporting role, savoring every line of dialogue given to him.

2025-08-25 08:38