Games for Lunch: Metal Gear Solid (GBC)

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Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami
Release Date: May 5, 2000
System: Game Boy Color
ESRB Rating: E

0:00 I distinctly remember this game getting a glowing review in Next Generation magazine, which rarely reviewed Game Boy Color games at all. Eight years later, it's less than five bucks at a GameStop clearance sale. How could I resist?

0:01 A silhouette of a plane flies by with a low-pitched whine. Close-up on Snake in the dark. Man, I really forgot how blocky Game Boy Color graphics were back in the day. Colonel Campbell pays Snake a visit: "It's been a long time, Snake." "Didn't expect to see you again," replies the retired mercenary. They share some scotch, which surprises me given the game's E rating. Snake built the house himself. "Didn't know you were a carpenter," Campbell says. Didn't you know? Snake is Jesus!

0:02 It's been three years since Snake left for Alaska and the world is on the brink of nuclear destruction. Yes, again! Campbell is droning on about some guys who stole some nukes in South America: "It was Metal Gear." Cure the dramatic, yet incredibly tinny, music at the mere mention of these bipedal nuke-launchers. This whole thing seems a bit melodramatic and silly without the quality voice acting that carried the PlayStation original .

0:03 The U.S. government continued Metal Gear development even after Snake destroyed it seven years ago. Man, how many times does he have to destroy this thing? It's now in "Gindra," a small country in central Africa that's in the middle of a civil war. The armed separatists have Metal Gear, an armed, charismatic leader and a virtually impenetrable fortress. That's not a good combination. "So they plan to win their independence by threatening nuclear strikes with Metal Gear." Way to state the obvious, Political Science Snake.

0:06 Snake just wants to be left alone in his quiet Alaskan life. "Damnit you know they won't hesitate to push that button," Campbell says. Snake won't budge, until Campbell lets it slip that the fortress was once called "Outer Heaven." Snake and that place have a history, as fans of the series well know. "If the past is at your heels, you turn around to face it. Am I wrong?" Campbell really knows how to pull Snake's strings, I'll give him that.

0:09 The series' usual interminable cut scenes are even worse here, with the slow-scrolling text and lack of animation or voice acting. GET ON WITH IT!

0:10 The Army's Delta Force is already there -- I'll be working with them. I also have Mei Ling as a backup via codec. Snake acts like he doesn't remember her from the first Metal Gear Solid. Amnesia, maybe?

0:11 Campbell continues to introduce my backup personnel. Part of me wants to skip this, but a bigger part thinks it will end up being important.

0:13 The colonel also came out of retirement for this mission. "I also have a score to settle with the past. We all have our shadows, Snake." Same old cryptic Metal Gear Solid writing.

0:14 Shot of Snake in the plane again. They've arrived. Ready to descend. "We're counting on you." Well, what else is new? And... title screen. Finally!

0:15 Oh man, there's VR Missions! I loved the VR missions in the original game! For now, I'll simply start a new game. Normal difficulty sounds about right.