Hori's Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Headset for PS4: Release Date and Details

Peripheral manufacturer Hori announced a themed gaming headset for Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain for the PlayStation 4. The accessory first appeared on an Amazon Japan product listing with a scheduled release date of September 2nd, the same day the game was set to launch in Japan. As an officially licensed product, it was designed to complement the PS4 experience for fans of the highly anticipated stealth title.

A Design Inspired by Diamond Dogs

The headset’s most prominent feature was its distinct colorway of crimson red and gold over a black base. This design was not arbitrary; it directly mirrored the limited-edition Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain PlayStation 4 console bundle, which was a Japan-exclusive release. That special console featured a two-tone chassis in deep red and black, detailed with gold trim and the emblem of the “Diamond Dogs,” the private military company led by the game’s protagonist. The bundle’s DualShock 4 controller was also unique, presented in a metallic grey finish with the same Diamond Dogs insignia on the right grip.

Thematically, the colors were rooted in the game’s story and central character. The crimson is the color of the advanced prosthetic arm worn by Big Boss following the catastrophic events of the prologue chapter, Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes. This bionic arm was a key gameplay and narrative element in The Phantom Pain, granting the player new abilities. By adopting this color scheme, the Hori headset allowed fans to align their gaming setup with both the exclusive console and a core piece of the game’s iconography. It served as a tangible connection to Big Boss’s updated appearance and the new chapter of his story.

Hori’s Line of Themed Peripherals

Hori is a long-standing Japanese company with a significant presence in the third-party video game accessory market. The company has a history of producing officially licensed peripherals for all major console manufacturers, including Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. Its product catalog is diverse, ranging from high-end, tournament-grade arcade sticks like the Real Arcade Pro series to more mainstream offerings such as specialized controllers, screen protectors, charging stands, and carrying cases.

The Metal Gear Solid V headset was a typical example of Hori’s strategy of partnering with publishers for major game releases. These collaborations result in themed accessories that appeal directly to a game’s dedicated fanbase. While the Amazon Japan listing did not provide detailed technical specifications, Hori’s audio products are generally positioned as reliable and functional mid-range options for console gamers. For enthusiasts, the primary appeal of such a product was its aesthetic tie-in, offering a piece of hardware that felt like a part of the game’s universe.

The Phantom Pain’s Multiplatform Release

The headset’s September 2nd release date was carefully timed to coincide with the global launch of The Phantom Pain. The game was slated to release on September 1st in North America and Europe, with the Japanese release following a day later. It was a major cross-generational title, launching simultaneously on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. A PC version, running on the new Fox Engine, was also confirmed for release two weeks after the console versions.

The launch was one of the most significant gaming events of the year, driven by both the series’ esteemed history and the public drama surrounding its development. It was widely reported that The Phantom Pain would be the final Metal Gear game directed by series creator Hideo Kojima before his departure from publisher Konami. This context lent the game an air of finality, representing the culmination of a storyline that had been developing for decades. For many fans, acquiring merchandise like the Hori headset was a way to commemorate the end of a celebrated era in video game history.