I recently played Twin Snakes the definitive version of MGS 1 and MGS 1 has not aged well at all. I played it back on the PS1 and played Twin Snakes after played MGS 3 and yea.....thats all I can say.

Everything you mentioned seems a lot clunkier then it did back then. I thought MGS 1 was amazing too. Its not bad by any means but it just hasnt aged well. The story and characters especially dont come off that great anymore. My MGS2 got fucked up so I cant say it yet but between MGS1 and MGS2 its a fight for least favorite in the series for me. That said they are all excellent Im not talking shit because I like em all.

Twin Snakes is typically maligned because of the Star Wars "Special Edition" effect; they took the original source material and made a lot of unnecessary changes that didn't seem to serve any purpose other than to add eye candy to scenes. Voice changes (accents) were also not entirely necessary and the MGS2 engine based controls essentially made the game easier to play, even going so far as to "break" at least one boss fight (ocelot).

That being said, I still prefer playing and watching Twin Snakes, even though the original is still the "real" version of the game. Of course I'd love to re-buy and replay every MGS game using the MGS4 engine, but I'm not really sure if there would be any point to that.

After playing nothing but MGS4 for over a month after debut, I had to go back and replay every MGS game and the one I kept coming back to was MGS3 Subsistence. Snake Eater felt broken to me the first time I played it due to the fixed camera, and it still feels broken today.

But Subsistence in more ways than not remains my favorite MGS game.

This Post is full of Fail.

OP: I think MGS3 is second best with MGS4 at top.

MGS4>MGS3>MGS>MGS2 

For all the bullshit Twin Snakes gets yes it is the definitive version. Fanboys and others call all this bullshit about the voices, MGS2 gameplay, hell I even some of the hate is because its on Gamecube. (Not calling YOU in particularly a fanboy just saying even the purists which I guess you are)
If you deny Twin Snakes as being the definitive version I have to say you're wrong. They added a good amount of new things and its still the same MGS just better.

As for why the story and characters aren't pulled of that great anymore...it all just comes off as korny. When the game tries to give off a somewhat deep message it still delivered kinda clumsy.

I also had to make clear that MGS Subsistence is the version I played but it just slipped my mind since I just think of it as Snake Eater.

OK,
I dont agree

MGS1 > MGS3

for at least 1 reason : boss

I liked The End, The Fury, Volgin, Ocelot, The Sorrow, the Boss
but
I hated : The Pain and the Fear (what a poor boss ...)

also in term of boss character/story developpement : MGS1 boss >>> MGS3 boss

also, Ocelot, Raven, Wolf, Liquid, Mantis are ALL GREAT !!!

Cutscene were shit

Missile riding just killed the game for me

...

Wont argue if you think MGS1 is better but Id like to know how long its been since you played MGS1? Twin Snakes was the last one I played and Subsistence before that and I have to say by far MGS3 is better game.

Then again people love that Nostalgia feeling so I think thats why some people well always say MGS 1.

To me Metal gear solid 3 was one with great emotion, but that was surpassed by Metal gear solid IV, today MGS4 continues to be the best game I have ever played in my life

Fix'd.