>>3000430It's difficult for me.
It would imply that every other silly side-OPs (like the Monster Hunter one) is canon too if we go by "it's in the game, it's canon".
Yes, I played all games, several times, even the MSX ones and the non-main ones (like Ghost Babel).
What is canon is some times a bit difficult because of things changing throughout the years or never ever being mentioned again.
I personally always thought the Otacon ending in MGS1 felt right, minus Meryl's death, but they killed that with her appearance in 4.
I also think POs was canon but even Kojima is unable to make up his mind regarding that part, at least it feels like that the way it's treated sometimes.
I don't mean silly = makes it unlikely it's canon, but some things are clearly just meant as easter egg or entertainment purpose and thus not supposed to be taken serious lore-wise.
And the dates are something that fall for me in this mushy gray area and when people think they are non-canon I can accept that.
However, things like "there was nothing going on between Raikov and Volgin" I can't accept.