Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
North American box art
Developer(s)	KCEJ (Original) Kojima Productions (Subsistence) Bluepoint Games (HD port)
Publisher(s)	Konami
Designer(s)	Hideo Kojima
Composer(s)	Harry Gregson-Williams Norihiko Hibino Shuichi Kobori Nobuko Toda Rika Muranaka Star Sailor
Series	Metal Gear
Platform(s)	PlayStation 2 PlayStation 3 Xbox 360 PlayStation Vita Nintendo 3DS
Release date(s)	November 17, 2004 MGS3: Snake Eater[1] PlayStation 2 NA November 17, 2004 JP December 16, 2004 EU March 4, 2005 AUS March 17, 2005 MGS3: Subsistence[2] PlayStation 2 JP December 22, 2005 NA March 14, 2006 EU October 6, 2006 AUS October 13, 2006 MGS HD Collection PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 NA November 8, 2011[3] JP November 23, 2011[4] AU 20110202February 2, 2011 EU February 3, 2012[3] PlayStation Vita JP TBA 2012 NA TBA 2012 EU TBA 2012 MGS: Snake Eater 3D[5] Nintendo 3DS JP Early 2012 NA February 28, 2012 EU February 2012 AUS TBA 2012
Genre(s)	Stealth action
Mode(s)	Single player
Rating(s)	BBFC: 15[6] CERO: 18+/D ESRB: M OFLC: (AUS) MA15+ OFLC: (NZ) R16 PEGI: 16+, 18+ (Subsistence) USK: 16
Media/distribution	DVD, Blu-ray Disc

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (メタルギアソリッド3 スネーク・イーター, Metaru Gia Soriddo Surī Sunēku Ītā^?, commonly abbreviated to MGS3) is an award-winning stealth action video game directed by Hideo Kojima.^[7] Snake Eater was developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Japan and published by Konami for the PlayStation 2,^[8] and was released on November 17, 2004 in North America; December 16, 2004 in Japan; March 4, 2005 in Europe; and on March 17, 2005 in Australia. The game, which serves as a prequel to the entire Metal Gear series,^[9] was followed by two direct sequels titled Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops^[10] and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

Set in the Cold War-era Soviet Union, the story centers on FOX operative Naked Snake as he attempts to rescue a weapons designer and sabotage an experimental superweapon.^[11] While previous games were set in a primarily urban environment, Snake Eater adopts a 1960's Soviet jungle setting,^[12] with the high tech, near-future trappings of previous Metal Gear Solid games being replaced with the wilderness. While the setting has changed, the game's focus remains on stealth and infiltration, while retaining the series' self-referential, fourth wall-breaking sense of humor.^[11] The story of Snake Eater is told through numerous cut scenes and radio conversations.^[13]

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was well-received publicly and critically, selling 3.96 million copies worldwide^[14] and scoring a highly positive 91% on the review aggregate sites Game Rankings and Metacritic.^[15][16]

Gameplay

The gameplay of Snake Eater is similar to that of previous games in the Metal Gear Solid series. Snake, controlled by the player, must move undetected through a hostile, enemy-filled environment. Although Snake acquires various weapons (ranging from handguns to rocket propelled grenades), the emphasis is on using stealth to avoid confrontations. A number of objects and gadgets can be found along the way to aid in this, including motion detectors^[17] to track hostile soldiers, and the Metal Gear series' trademark cardboard box, which Snake can hide under to avoid visual detection.^[11]

Despite the fundamental similarities, Snake Eater introduces many new aspects of gameplay not present in previous Metal Gear games, including camouflage, a new hand-to-hand combat system called "close-quarters combat" or "CQC", a stamina gauge, and an injury-and-treatment system.^[11][18]

Approximately two-thirds of the game is set outdoors in a Soviet Union rainforest,^[19] and using this varied environment to its fullest potential is often the key to success. Of the new features, particular emphasis is placed on camouflage and using the jungle environment itself (for example, climbing trees or hiding in tall grass) to avoid being seen by the enemy.^[11] The advanced radar from previous games has been removed in favor of a simple motion detector and sonar system more suitable for the game's time period.

Snake uses camouflage to remain undetected. The "camo index" can be seen in the top, right-hand corner.

A percentage value called the "camouflage index" gauges Snake's exposure, on a scale from negative values (highly visible and attracting attention) up to 100% (completely invisible to the enemy).^[20] In order to minimize visibility, the player must switch between different camouflage uniforms and face paints to blend in with the environment; for example, wearing a bark-patterned uniform while leaning against a tree, or wearing striped face paint while hiding in tall grass.^[18] Other devices for camouflage, such as a fake gavial head to decrease chances of being detected in water, are also available.

The basic close combat from previous installments has been heavily refined and expanded into the CQC system. When unarmed or using a one-handed weapon, Snake can grab opponents and put them in a chokehold,^[18] at which point a variety of actions can be performed, such as choking the enemy unconscious or interrogating them at knifepoint to obtain information.^[17][18] The context, pressure applied to the button, and movement of the analog stick determine the action performed.

While previous games used only a simple life bar, Snake Eater also keeps track of injuries over the entire body.^[18] For example, a long fall could fracture Snake's leg, slowing him down until the injury is properly treated with a splint and bandage. Unless these injuries are treated, Snake will not be able to fully recover his health for some time.^[18]

The location brings in the need to rely upon native flora and fauna to survive.^[18] This is manifested in a stamina gauge, which constantly depletes during gameplay.^[13] Failure to restore the gauge by eating has detrimental effects on gameplay, such as decreasing Snake's ability to aim his weapon and being heard by the enemy due to Snake's loud stomach grumbles.^[18] Food can be stored in the backpack until it is needed. However, some types of food rot over time, and consuming rotten foods may result in Snake developing a stomach ache, causing the stamina gauge to deplete faster.^[11]

Snake Eater includes a minigame called Snake vs. Monkey, in which Snake has to catch Ape Escape-style monkeys.^[11][17] In addition to containing tongue-in-cheek humor,^[21] bonus items usable in the main game can be unlocked by progressing through various stages.^[17]

Plot

Characters

Main article: List of Metal Gear characters

The protagonist of Snake Eater, Naked Snake known as Big Boss in subsequent games (voiced by Akio Ōtsuka in Japanese and David Hayter in English), is a former U.S. Special Forces (Green Beret) and CIA operative. During the mission, Major Zero (v.b. Banjō Ginga and Jim Piddock), a former member of the British Special Air Service, aids Snake by providing mission advice and battle tactics. Para-Medic (v.b. Houko Kuwashima and Heather Halley) and Sigint (v.b. Keiji Fujiwara and James C. Mathis III) provide specialist advice on flora and fauna, and weapons and equipment, respectively.

The two primary antagonists of the game are Colonel Volgin (v.b. Kenji Utsumi and Neil Ross), an electricity-controlling GRU colonel and member of the extreme Brezhnev faction, who are attempting to overthrow Nikita Khrushchev to seize power for Leonid Brezhnev and Alexei Kosygin,^[22] and The Boss (v.b. Kikuko Inoue and Lori Alan), former mentor to Naked Snake.^[18] Cobra Unit, a Special Forces unit led by The Boss, is composed of The End, a venerable expert sniper credited as the "father of modern sniping";^[23] The Fear, who has supernatural flexibility and agility; The Fury, a disfigured former cosmonaut armed with a flamethrower and a jetpack;^[18] The Pain, who can control hornets to both defend himself and attack his enemies;^[18] and The Sorrow, the spirit of a deceased medium.^[24]

Other characters include Sokolov (v.b. Naoki Tatsuta and Brian Cummings), a rocket scientist whom Snake must rescue; EVA (v.b. Misa Watanabe and Suzetta Miñet), Snake's love interest and American defector and KGB agent sent to assist him, and a young Ocelot (v.b. Takumi Yamazaki and Joshua Keaton), commander of the elite Ocelot Unit within Volgin's GRU.^[25] Some joking references are also made to previous games: Major Raikov, Volgin's effeminate gay lover, parodies the criticized effeminate appearance of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty protagonist Raiden, and the grandfather of recurring incompetent and incontinent soldier Johnny Sasaki makes an appearance as a cell guard.

Story

Metal Gear series fictional chronology
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Metal Gear Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake Metal Gear Solid (The Twin Snakes) Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty Metal Gear Solid: Rising Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Virtuous Mission

Metal Gear Solid 3 is set during the Cold War in 1964, where a CIA agent, codenamed "Naked Snake", is sent to the jungles of Tselinoyarsk, in the USSR.^[18] Aided over radio by Major Zero, Para-Medic, and his former mentor The Boss,^[26] his mission is to rescue a defecting Soviet scientist named Sokolov who is secretly developing an advanced nuclear-equipped tank called the "Shagohod".^[18][26] The mission goes smoothly until The Boss defects and provides her new benefactor, Colonel Volgin, with two Davy Crockett miniature nuclear shells.^[27] Sokolov is captured by Cobra Unit and Snake is heavily injured in combat by The Boss, allowing Volgin and his cohorts to escape with Sokolov. Volgin detonates one of the nuclear shells to cover up its theft,^[28] which is subsequently blamed on The Boss.^[29]

Operation Snake Eater

Having detected the U.S. aircraft which deployed Snake flying over Soviet soil, the Soviet Union declares the United States responsible for the nuclear attack, tipping both nations to the edge of a nuclear war. In a secret conference between U.S. President Lyndon Johnson and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, a deal is hatched to prove the U.S.'s innocence and restore peace.^[30] The United States agrees to stop Volgin's renegade faction, destroy the stolen Shagohod and eliminate the American defector, The Boss.^[31]

A week after being rescued from the region, Snake is redeployed into the Soviet jungle as part of "Operation: Snake Eater",^[31] to fulfill the United States' promises. During the mission, he gains the assistance of another American defector, ex-NSA agent EVA, who defected a few years earlier (though he is informed he would be helped by ADAM, who defected with her).^[32] After numerous encounters with the elite Ocelot Unit (led by a young Ocelot), and defeating nearly every member of Cobra Unit, Snake succeeds in locating Sokolov and the stolen Shagohod, only to be captured in Volgin's military fortress, Groznyj Grad. After listening to Volgin brutally beat Sokolov to death, Snake is tortured and has his eye shot out while protecting EVA from Ocelot's bullet; Snake ultimately escapes.

When he returns to the facility to destroy the Shagohod, Snake learns of "The Philosophers". Made up of the most powerful men in the United States, Soviet Union, and China, they were an Illuminati-like organization who control the world behind the scenes.^[33] However, after the end of World War II, they began to fight amongst themselves and the organization broke down. The Philosopher's Legacy, a fund the organization had jointly amassed to finance their wars ($100 billion) was divided up and hidden in banks all over the world.^[34] Volgin had illegally inherited this money,^[35] and Snake learns that the U.S. is attempting to retrieve it.

Snake continues his mission, destroying the facility and the Shagohod tank, while engaging Volgin, who is killed by a bolt of lightning during the battle. Snake and EVA travel to a lake, where a WIG ground effect vehicle is hidden. Before they use it to escape the region, Snake confronts his old mentor, The Boss, whom he must kill to complete his mission. During this time a cut scene is shown stating that The Boss gave birth to a child (the father being The Sorrow) during a battle. Before this time however, during a radio call, EVA tells Snake that the reason Ocelot achieved the rank of major at such a young age was due to the fact that his parents were legendary soldiers. She also tells Snake that Ocelot's mother needed to cut Ocelot out during the birth, leaving a snake-like scar. This scar is seen on The Boss, which strongly suggests that she is Ocelot's mother.^[31] After an emotional battle, Snake overcomes his feelings and defeats her. He and EVA escape to Alaska, and spend the night together. During the night EVA disappears, and leaves behind a tape revealing herself to be a Chinese spy sent to steal the Philosopher's Legacy for China.^[36] The tape continues, and EVA reveals that The Boss did not defect to the Soviet Union; rather, she was under orders to pretend to defect so she could infiltrate Volgin's ranks and find the location of the Legacy, which could be brought back to America.^[37] The final part of her mission was to sacrifice her honor and die at the hands of Snake, under the guise of a traitor, to prove the U.S.'s innocence in Volgin's nuclear attack from the beginning of the game.^[38]

As EVA is explaining this, Snake is awarded the title of "Big Boss" and given the Distinguished Service Cross for his efforts before an enthusiastic crowd; however Snake has become so distraught and demoralized after EVA's revelation that he leaves almost immediately after getting his medal, hardly acknowledging Major Zero, Para-Medic and Sigint.^[39] Later, he arrives at an anonymous grave, The Boss's, just one of thousands located in Arlington National Cemetery. Laying down The Boss's gun and a bouquet of lilies upon the nameless gravestone, he scans the endless rows before him, salutes, and sheds a single tear.

After the credits roll, Ocelot is heard talking to the CIA director on the telephone. Ocelot informs him that the microfilm stolen by EVA was a fake and that half of the Philosopher's Legacy is now in America's hands. It transpires that Ocelot has been triple-crossing everyone from the very beginning. He then reveals that he is in fact ADAM, and he has been working for the CIA all this time.^[40]

Development

Originally, the game was supposed to be developed for the PlayStation 3, but due to the long wait for the PS3, the game was developed for the PlayStation 2 instead.^[41] From the outset, the game's director Hideo Kojima wished to drastically change the setting from previous games.^[42] He stated that the jungle setting is what both his development team, and the Metal Gear fans, wanted.^[42] However, he acknowledged that the elements of a jungle environment, such as the weather, landscape and wildlife, were features that would present problems during the game's development.^[42] Whereas in previous installments the player starts out close to, or even within, the enemy base, Kojima wished Snake Eater to be more realistic, with Snake starting out miles from civilization and having to work his way to the enemy encampment.^[42]

Kojima commented that the outside environment was very difficult to create.^[43] He explained that the reason previous games were primarily set indoors is because the current consoles were not powerful enough to portray a true jungle environment.^[44] In contrast with urban environments, the jungle does not have a flat surface. The protagonist in Snake Eater has to cross uneven terrain, including rocks, dirt mounds and treestumps. As a result, the collision engine used in previous installments could not be used, and a new one had to be built from scratch.^[44] Setting up the motion capture technology so players could walk over these mounds was a problem during development.^[43]

Many fans wanted Snake Eater to use a 3D camera,^[45] but this was ultimately not implemented in the game. Kojima views Metal Gear Solid, Sons of Liberty and Snake Eater as a trilogy, and wished to keep the camera the same as the previous two in order to keep the feel of the three games the same.^[45] He did, however, acknowledge that the current trend for video games is to use the 3D camera.^[45] The camera was later implemented in an updated version of Snake Eater titled Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence,^[46] and further installments in the franchise.^[45]

Kojima designed boss battles of Snake Eater to be totally different from those in previous Metal Gear games, or any other games. He said that the boss battle with sniper The End best represented free, open gameplay in the game.^[47] The battle takes place over a large area of dense jungle, and the player must search extensively for The End, who attacks over long range from an unknown position. This battle of attrition can last for hours,^[47] and contrasts with other boss fights in which the enemy is right in front of the player and in view the whole time. In addition, the player has the ability to both avoid this boss battle altogether by killing The End earlier in the game; or save and quit during the fight, wait a week, and reload the game to find The End having died of old age. Kojima commented that features like this do not appear in other games.^[47]

Music

Main article: Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Original Soundtrack

The musical score of Snake Eater was composed by Norihiko Hibino and Harry Gregson-Williams,^[48][49] who provided material for both cut scenes and the game itself. Hibino wrote the game's opening theme, "Snake Eater",^[48] a distinctly Bond-like vocal track which also appears in the game proper, as performed by Cynthia Harrell.^[11][50] Composer and lyricist Rika Muranaka provides a song called "Don't Be Afraid" which is played during the ending for the game.^[51] The song is performed by Elisa Fiorillo.^[52]

In a break from tradition, one of the ending themes of the game is not an in-house production, but Starsailor's "Way To Fall". Hideo Kojima later revealed in his blog that he originally wanted to use "Space Oddity" and "Ashes to Ashes" (by David Bowie) for the ending themes because of the space development theme of the game,^[53] but during the game's development that theme lost its significance. One of his colleagues then advised him to listen to Stellastarr*, but Kojima heard Starsailor. He liked the song "Way To Fall" and chose it as an ending theme.^[54]

Reception

Snake Eater was a commercial success and has sold 3.96 million copies worldwide.^[14] Although this is considerably lower than Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, which has sold 7 million copies to date,^[55] critics were pleased with the new protagonist,^[13] Naked Snake—who strongly resembles the series protagonist Solid Snake—after fans were disappointed by Raiden in MGS2.^[19] Some fans, as well as some critics, who found the lengthy dialogues and multitude of plot twists in Sons of Liberty to be detrimental to the game experience^[56] found the storyline of Snake Eater a pleasing throwback to the original Metal Gear Solid, with less of the "philosophical babble"^[13] present in Sons of Liberty.

Critical response

Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator	Score
GameRankings	91.90%
Metacritic	91%
Review scores
Publication	Score
Edge	8/10
GamePro	4.5/5
GameSpot	8.7/10
GameSpy	4.5/5
GameTrailers	9.0/10
IGN	9.6/10
PSM	10/10
X-Play	4/5

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater was well received by the media, and was given high scores by some of the most prominent gaming critics. On the review aggregator Game Rankings, the game has an average score of 91% based on 92 reviews.^[15] On Metacritic, the game had an average score of 91 out of 100, based on 68 reviews.^[16] Gaming website IGN awarded a 9.6/10^[12] and UK-based magazine Edge rated it 8/10.^[57] GameSpot, who granted it an 8.7/10, commented that the game is "richly cinematic" and "a great achievement."^[11] GameSpy hailed it as "probably the best Metal Gear Solid game yet",^[9] and Eurogamer called it "overwhelmingly superior to MGS2: Sons of Liberty" in their review.^[17] IGN users voted it the 10th best game of all time in, and the 5th best in the 2008 Top 100 list.

Reviewers had mixed opinions about the game's camouflage system. Edge commented that "laying, camouflaged, in short grass inches away from a patrolling enemy is a gripping twist on stealth,"^[57] while GameSpy criticized it as "just a number to monitor and not a terribly interesting one."^[9] Out of the variety of new features, GameSpot called it "the most important and best implemented."^[11] The game has also been criticized for its low frame rate, which has been reduced to 30 frame/s (compared with 60 frame/s in Sons of Liberty).^[9]

The cut scenes of Snake Eater have been called "visually exciting and evocative, beautifully shot" by Edge.^[57] However, they commented that the script "ranges from awkward to awful" and criticized David Hayter's performance as Snake, concluding that "Snake Eater's speech is not up to the standard of other games, let alone cinema."^[57] GameSpot said that some of the humor "falls flat, as if lost in translation from Japanese" and "should appeal to ... hardcore fans but ... takes you out of the moment."^[11]

Awards

PlayStation Official Magazine readers Poll

• 5th greatest PlayStation title ever released.^[58]

IGN: Best of 2004

• Best Overall Action Game
• Best Overall Story
• Best PS2 Use of Sound

GameSpot: Game of the Year 2004 Awards

• Best Story
• Best Sound Effects

GameSpy: Game of the Year 2004 Awards

• 4th Best Overall Game of 2004
• 2nd Best PS2 Game of 2004
• Most Amazing Comeback

Gaming Convention Germany ^[59]

• Best PS2 Game

Game Audio Network Guild 2005

• Best Original Vocal Song – Pop for MGS3 Theme

Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences

• David Hayter, voice of Snake, was nominated for the award for "Outstanding Achievement in Character Performance."^[60]

Release history

Original version

Like Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty before it, Snake Eater was first released in North America; the Japanese release was held back for almost a month after that.^[8][61] However, the Japanese version featured a downloadable camouflage pattern unavailable in North America.^[62] A limited edition premium package of Snake Eater was released alongside the standard version in Japan. The premium package came with a special DVD, two special booklets and a painted 1/144-scale model of the Shagohod.^[63] A special limited edition CD was given away to those who preordered the Japanese version of Snake Eater, which included several songs from the game's soundtrack, as well as computer screensavers and additional camouflage for the main game. The pre-order package allowed cell phone users to access a special site featuring image and music downloads.^[64]

For the European release, Konami added several new features, including the "European Extreme" difficulty setting, a Demo Theater of the game's cut scenes, and a Duel Mode, where players can replay boss battles from the main game, in addition to extra facepaints based on European flags and two new Snake vs. Monkey levels.^[65]

Subsistence

Subsistence was released in Japan on December 22, 2005, later in North America on March 14, 2006,^[12] in Europe on October 6, 2006 and in Australia on October 13, 2006.^[66] Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence continues the Metal Gear Solid series tradition of follow-up enhanced, international version releases. While previous releases, such as Metal Gear Solid: Integral and Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance included skill challenge missions and/or side story missions, Subsistence eschews the extra single-player missions to include updated versions of the series' first two games, Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake^[46][67]), a brand-new competitive online mode, and a fully 3D, user-controlled camera in the main portion of the game.^[68]

The online mode in Subsistence. Here, the GRU team faces off against the KGB team.

Subsistence's online multiplayer component, titled Metal Gear Online, consists of five tournament-style game modes, each with a capacity of up to eight players.^[69] This mode pits players, each playing as a generic soldier against each other in deathmatch battles and variations of capture the flag, using stages, items, maneuvers, and units (such as the KGB, GRU or Ocelot Unit) from the main game.^[67] Depending on server settings, each round the highest-scoring player in each unit automatically assumes the role of one of the main characters (or Reiko Hinomoto from Rumble Roses), along with unique abilities and/or items. For example, the highest scoring player on the GRU team would assume the role of Major Raikov, leader of the GRU, next round.^[70] Konami's Metal Gear Online service for the PlayStation 2 closed in Japan on December 26, 2006,^[71] followed by in North America on April 2, 2007 and in Europe on October 30, 2007. There is currently an online community dedicated to the revival of the original form of Metal Gear Online, called Save MGO.^[72]

In addition to the older games and the online mode, Subsistence includes many minor features common to international version releases. It includes the downloadable extra camouflage and face paint designs and "Snake vs. Monkey" stages previously exclusive to the European release, the European Extreme difficulty level,^[67][73] parody cut scenes and trailers from the official website,^[74] and connectivity with Metal Gear Acid 2.^[75] The Japanese version also includes a URL for a hidden website that allows the download of OtaClock, a PC and Mac clock program that features Metal Gear Solid series recurring character Otacon.^[76] This website is now publicly available.^[77]

"Limited Edition" copies of Subsistence also include Existence, the game's cut scenes edited into a three-and-a-half-hour feature film with additional scenes and remastered sound.^[46] The North American "Limited Edition" package was only available to consumers who pre-ordered it before the game's release.^[78] The three disc edition is the standard release of Subsistence in Europe to make up for the title's lengthy delay.^[79]

A bonus documentary DVD video titled Metal Gear Saga Vol. 1 was bundled with pre-orders for Subsistence in North America and with the European Platinum reissue of Snake Eater released in Germany on March 23, 2006.^[80][81] The disc includes a five-part, 30-minute featurette about the entire Metal Gear series interspersed with an interview of Hideo Kojima, as well as trailers for various current Metal Gear games.^[80][82]

Subsistence received marginally higher review scores than the original Snake Eater, averaging 94% on Metacritic.^[83] Reviewers commented that the introduction of the 3D camera removed the "only grade-A problem"^[84] and makes the gameplay feel "less restrictive and more natural."^[46] The online mode is considered "impressive for a PS2 game", though "MGS3's distinctive gameplay conventions do not entirely lend themselves to the online action-gaming experience."^[84] Subsistence received IGN's award for "best online game" for the PlayStation 2 in December 2006.^[85] Ultimately, this edition sold over 1 million copies worldwide.

Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D

At the Electronic Entertainment Expo in 2010, Konami displayed a technical demo for the Nintendo 3DS entitled Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater – The Naked Sample. The demo's subtitle "The Naked Sample" was meant to convey its purpose as just a sample of the 3DS hardware, with no plans to bring a game to production at that point.^[86] Series' producer Hideo Kojima stated that if a Metal Gear game for the 3DS is actually made they would consider some elements from the PlayStation Portable title Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, including the game's co-ops cooperative gameplay system.^[87][88] The demo shown at E3 was just a sample of what could be done with the 3DS and is not representative of any final game.^[89] At the Tokyo Game Show in 2010, Konami announced that a new Metal Gear game is scheduled to be released for the 3DS sometime in 2011, but no other details were revealed.^[90][91] Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D was shown at Nintendo World 2011 on January 8, 2011.^[92] Konami has announced November 8, 2011 as the release date for the Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection.^[93]

During their Tokyo Game Show 2011 press conference, Nintendo revealed that Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater would be compatible with the new "Circle Pad" peripheral.^[94]

HD Collection

Konami announced during a 2011 pre-E3 press conference that Snake Eater will be released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles as part of an HD Collection including Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. The game will be based on the Subsistence version.^[95][96]

Other re-releases

The 20th Anniversary Edition of Metal Gear released in Japan includes the first disc of Subsistence, with a second disc containing the MSX2 versions of Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2, without the other extra game modes that were featured in Subsistence (Snake vs. Monkey, Metal Gear Online, Secret Theater and Duel Mode).^[97] The version of Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence included in the American Essential Collection box set is missing the MSX2 games.

References

1. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater – Related Games". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/metalgearsolid3/similar.html?mode=versions. Retrieved April 1, 2009. 
2. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence – Related Games". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/mgs3subsistence/similar.html?mode=versions. Retrieved April 1, 2009. 
3. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named konami.jp; see Help:Cite errors/Cite error references no text
4. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Auto6H-1; see Help:Cite errors/Cite error references no text
5. ^ "Metal Gear Solid 3DS Dated". IGN. http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/mgs3subsistence/similar.html?mode=versions. Retrieved September 16, 2010. 
6. ^ BBFC rating of Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence
7. ^ GameSpot site staff. "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Tech Info/Credits". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/metalgearsolid3/tech_info.html. Retrieved 2006-08-25. 
8. ^ ^{a b} IGN staff. "Game Details for MGS3: Snake Eater". IGN. http://ps2.ign.com/objects/536/536086.html. Retrieved 2006-08-15. 
9. ^ ^{a b c d} Turner, Benjamin (2004). "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Review". GameSpy. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/metal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater/566899p1.html. Retrieved 2006-08-10. 
10. ^ IGN site staff. "Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops First Look Game Profile". IGN. http://psp.ign.com/objects/783/783630.html. Retrieved 2007-07-03. 
11. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k} Kasavin, Greg (2004). "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Review". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/metalgearsolid3/review.html. Retrieved 2006-08-10. 
12. ^ ^{a b c} Lewis, Ed (2004). "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Review". IGN. http://ps2.ign.com/articles/566/566279p1.html. Retrieved 2006-08-10. 
13. ^ ^{a b c d} Ramsay, Randolph (2005). "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Review". C NET Australia. http://www.cnet.com.au/games/ps2/0,39029672,40054224,00.htm. Retrieved 2006-08-22. 
14. ^ ^{a b} "Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence Company Line". GameSpot. http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/adventure/mgs3subsistence/news.html?sid=6131345. Retrieved 2006-11-02. 
15. ^ ^{a b} "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Reviews". Game Rankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/914828.asp. Retrieved 2008-03-04. 
16. ^ ^{a b} "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (ps2: 2004): Reviews". Metacritic. http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ps2/metalgearsolid3snakeeater. Retrieved 2008-03-04. 
17. ^ ^{a b c d e} Bramwell, Tom (2004). "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Review". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=57274. Retrieved 2006-08-10. 
18. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m} Konami Computer Entertainment staff. "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater official site". http://www.konami.jp/gs/game/mgs3/english/index.html. Retrieved 2006-08-11. 
19. ^ ^{a b} Huhtala, Alex, ed (2005). "Sharing Snake with Hideo Kojima". Computerandvideogames. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=116014. Retrieved 2006-08-11. 
20. ^ Bramwell, Tom (2004). "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Preview". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=54922. Retrieved 2006-08-22. 
21. ^ BIGN staff (2006). "Top 10 Tuesday: Best Use of Monkeys". IGN. http://cube.ign.com/articles/684/684825p1.html. Retrieved 2006-09-28. 
22. ^ Sokolov: A certain group is plotting to use this opportunity to seize power by rallying the anti-government forces, overthrowing Khrushchev, and installing Brezhnev and Kosygin in his place. The mastermind behind this plot is Colonel Volgin of the GRU. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
23. ^ EVA: I heard that one of the Cobras is waiting for you in the jungle at the foot of the mountains. He's a legendary sniper called The End. // Naked Snake: Yeah, I've seen him before. That ridiculously old guy, right? // EVA: Don't underestimate him. He's known as the father of modern sniping. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
24. ^ Major Zero: The Sorrow was a man with, well...special powers. He had ESP, which was the subject of extensive research in the Soviet Union at the time. He was especially gifted as a medium. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
25. ^ Soldier: You...you're from the Ocelot Unit of Spetsnaz! What's a GRU soldier doing here? // Ocelot: Soldier? // Soldier: He's the Ocelot commander! (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
26. ^ ^{a b} Bramwell, Tom (2004). "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater First Impressions". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=55543. Retrieved 2006-08-23. 
27. ^ The Boss: I'm defecting to the Soviet Union. Sokolov is a little gift for my new hosts. // Colonel Volgin: Recoilless nuclear warheads...these will make a fine gift for me. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
28. ^ Khrushchev: So, The Boss, with Colonel Volgin's help, stole two experimental nuclear shells and took them with her as a gift when she defected. Then, shortly thereafter, Sokolov's design lab, a top-secret military research facility, was destroyed by one of these weapons. Am I right so far? // President Johnson: Yes, that's correct. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
29. ^ Colonel Volgin: But it won't be me that pulled the trigger. It will be our friend, the American defector. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
30. ^ Major Zero: To put it simply, in order to avoid a full-scale nuclear conflict, we have to prove that America was not involved in that explosion. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
31. ^ ^{a b c} Major Zero: Snake, let's go over your mission objectives one more time. Rescue Sokolov. Find out what's happened to the Shagohod – then destroy it. And finally, eliminate The Boss. // Naked Snake: Eliminate The Boss... // Major Zero: This mission will be code-named "Operation: Snake Eater". // Naked Snake: Because I'll be taking on The Boss and her COBRA Unit, right? // Major Zero: Don't forget about Colonel Volgin. // Naked Snake: I'm not a hired killer. // Major Zero: I know. But that was the Kremlin's demand. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
32. ^ Naked Snake: I heard you used to be a code breaker for the NSA. // EVA: I was. Four years ago I defected to the Soviet Union with ADAM. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
33. ^ Colonel Volgin: (...) During the last great war, the most powerful men in America, China, and the Soviet Union had a secret pact. The pact was a blueprint for defeating the Axis Powers and creating a new world order. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
34. ^ Colonel Volgin: Admit it! You're after the location of the Legacy! The secret fund established by the three Great Powers during the two World Wars. That's what you're looking for isn't it? One hundred billion dollars. Divided up and hidden all over the world. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
35. ^ Granin: (...) Volgin's father was in charge of the Philosopher's money laundering activities. In the confusion of the war, he somehow ended up with their treasure. And Volgin inherited that treasure illegally. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
36. ^ EVA: (...) I'm not a KGB spy and I never worked for the NSA. I am an agent of the People's Republic of China...for the General HQ Second Department of the People's Liberation Army. It was all a lie. I tricked you...and I'm sorry. The Philosophers still exist in China, too. You see, my mission was to find out where Volgin was hiding the Philosopher's Legacy and steal it. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
37. ^ EVA: The Boss's defection was a ruse set up by the U.S. government. It was all a big drama staged by Washington so they could get their hands on the Philosopher's Legacy. And The Boss was the star of the show. They planned it so that they could get the Legacy that Colonel Volgin inherited...and destroy the Shagohod at the same time. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
38. ^ EVA: (...) Everything was going according to plan, but then something happened that no one could have predicted. Colonel Volgin fired an American-made nuclear warhead at Sokolov's research facility. Khrushchev demanded that the U.S. government provide proof that it wasn't involved. (...) The authorities in Washington knew that in order to prove its innocence they'd have to get rid of The Boss...and that one of their own would have to do the job. (...) That was the mission she was given. (...) She sacrificed her life and her honor for her native land. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
39. ^ President Johnson: You are above even The Boss. I hereby award you the title of Big Boss. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
40. ^ Ocelot: (...) The Philosopher's Legacy is now safely with us...in America's hands. (...) The film we handed the Chinese was a fake. Peking must be in an uproar right about now. (...) Only half of the money has made it back to the United States. (...) I've obtained something from Granin that you might find interesting. It's a revolutionary new nuclear attack system (...) Yes, we have John – I mean Snake – to thank for that. (...) Yes, it appears that no one knew that I was ADAM. Of course. I'm always at the CIA's disposal...Mr. Director. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
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External links

• Official website