Every Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Boss Fight, Ranked

There’s no question that Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is among the top-tier games in its series. This gem first appeared on PlayStation 2 in 2004, and over the years, it has solidified itself as a beloved classic, frequently referenced in memes and often re-released or remastered. The game boasts an impressive lineup of boss battles, each one distinct and etched into memory.

Here, I’ve categorized each fight against the bosses from Metal Gear Solid 3, arranging them based on their impressive nature.

In this list, you’ll find a rundown of my favorite boss fights in Metal Gear Solid 3, ranked according to how awe-inspiring they are to witness.

Metal Gear Solid 3 Boss Fights – Our Ranking

It’s quite a matter of personal preference, isn’t it? One person might view something as waste, while another sees it as valuable – and this idea can be applied to these boss battles too. Each one is distinctive in its own way, but certain boss fights from Metal Gear Solid 3 have such an enduring impact that they’ll remain etched in our memories forever.

9. The Pain

In Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, The Pain is the initial Cobra member you engage in combat. Compared to other battles, this encounter is straightforward and not particularly challenging. His abilities are limited; he primarily controls bees as his main power.

8. The Shagohod

In a surprising twist, battling a colossal tank armed with nuclear firepower wouldn’t typically be considered a mundane boss encounter. However, that’s exactly what it turns out to be. Despite its impressive size, the battle lacks excitement due to its linear progression and repetitive process of weakening and defeating the giant in a relatively short amount of time. It remains notable because of its sheer scale, but the experience is forgettable due to its simplistic mechanics.

7. The Sorrow

The skirmish against The Sorrow in Metal Gear Solid 3 is among the most cunning boss battles due to its tailoring based on your gameplay until that point. If you’ve been aggressive and killed many enemies, this confrontation will be prolonged, but if you’ve opted for a non-lethal approach, it’ll conclude swiftly. It offers a stylish camouflage suit as a reward, however, the essence of this fight is essentially a thoughtful walkthrough.

6. Ocelot

As a dedicated gamer, let me tell you that Ocelot is nothing short of awesome. He’s one of the most iconic characters in Metal Gear Solid history, leaving an indelible mark on gamers everywhere. My encounters with him are particularly memorable, especially our first three run-ins during Snake Eater. But the fight that truly stands out is our initial encounter, where he wields his dual revolvers over a chasm – a scene that’s sparked numerous memes and continues to be talked about years later.

5. The End

Overcoming The Final Boss can either be a grueling ordeal filled with shocking surprises, or it can turn out to be the simplest challenge imaginable. In the past, gamers could manipulate the game by adjusting their PlayStation 2’s date settings a week ahead once they’d encountered The Final Boss, causing him to age and die in-game. Isn’t that clever? Alternatively, players could engage in an exhilarating long-range shooting contest spanning multiple game regions instead.

4. The Fear

The Character truly justifies his ominous title by delivering one of the most chilling boss battles in Metal Gear Solid 3. He’s an odd, forked-tongued individual who possesses the uncanny ability to dislocate his limbs voluntarily, climb trees like a spider, and attack Naked Snake with a nearly silent crossbow. His exceptional camouflage skills force players to rely on sounds to locate him, and he lays traps throughout the area to catch Snake off guard.

3. The Fury

The Boss, named Fury, is an exceptional adversary who engages the player in a tense, claustrophobic battle. Equipped with a powerful flamethrower and seemingly endless anger, he’s not excessively challenging to defeat, but can deal significant damage to the player in the confined, terrifying setting of the fight. After the battle, he detonates in a massive, destructive explosion, leaving behind a cataclysmic aftermath.

2. Colonel Volgin

In Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Colonel Volgin stands out as an exceptional adversary. Players can uncover numerous hidden tactics to shift the battle’s momentum, but his unique abilities elevate their confrontation to one of the most memorable boss fights in the game. He is a formidable combatant with electromagnetic and lightning powers, and visually, he ranks among the most impressive bosses in Metal Gear series lore.

1. The Boss

In terms of deeply emotional boss battles in gaming, I can’t think of one that surpasses the final confrontation in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. The antagonist here is none other than Snake’s mentor, The Boss. Despite her profound significance in Snake’s life, he is compelled to engage her in a fierce battle. This struggle between teacher and pupil is made even more intense by the outstanding soundtrack and breathtaking backdrop. The emotional intensity of this fight makes it the most memorable boss battle from Metal Gear Solid 3 to date.