Metal Gear Solid: Raiden Officially Releases November 2026

Published Jul 30, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT Known as 'Cyberpunk 2077's' biggest fan, Angharad is a Welsh games writer who thrives in anything related to digital storytelling. If a video game explores the intricacies and horrors of womanhood, she is there. Thanks to previous work at GAMINGbible, GameByte, The Loadout, Game Luster, Angharad has built a strong understanding of both the digital world and what fans want from it and is eager to share her thoughts and expertise with readers. Introduced as the main playable protagonist in 2001's Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Raiden swiftly went on to become one of the most iconic characters in gaming history. Later appearing in 2008's Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and 2013's Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, it has been a while since fans spent time with the beloved cyborg, but luckily, he is set to return later this year. Raiden, real name Jack, is a Liberian-American mercenary and a former child soldier under Solidus Snake. However, after being captured later in life, he was forced to undergo heavy cybernetic augmentations, leaving the majority of his body made of metal, yet imbuing him with incredible strength, speed, and power. Now an iconic figure in both Metal Gear and video game history in general, Raiden is remembered fondly, so it is perhaps no surprise that he is set to return in November 2026. Courtesy of Sideshow, a brand-new Raiden-inspired figure is set to launch later this year and is now available for pre-order now. Coming in at £348.35, it is a big investment, but if you are a fan of the Metal Gear franchise, and especially Raiden himself, you will not want to miss out on this stunning collectible. "Raiden, whose powerful presence and pivotal role defined the stealth-action masterpiece Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, has been captured as a 1:6 scale statue," the official item description reads. "Every element, from his intricate cyborg exoskeleton to his high-frequency blade and tactical knife, is sculpted with breathtaking precision. The base is modeled after Raiden’s iconic scenes supporting Solid Snake, featuring the scattered remains of a defeated Gekko. His dignified stance and focused expression perfectly convey his unwavering sense of duty to protect Snake. This release also includes an interchangeable head part with his visor lowered for added display versatility." In this 1:6 scale figure, customers will also receive an interchangable head part with visor lowered, so you will be able to customize your Raiden to your liking and, from the images alone, it is clear to see how much detail and work has been put into this brand-new collectible. Set to begin shipping between August and November of this year, the Raiden statue from Sideshow is a must-have for your shelves if you are willing to make the financial commitment. After all, Raiden is one of the most iconic gaming characters for a reason.