The Nostalgic Charm of Metal Gear's Origins

Metal Gear Solid, a franchise that has been absent from the gaming world for several years, is expected to make a comeback soon. The upcoming PlayStation Showcase on May 24 has sparked rumors that the return could come in the form of a Metal Gear Solid 3 remake or even the entire Metal Gear Solid series. However, overlooking the original entries on the MSX home computer would be a mistake.

Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake on the MSX laid the groundwork for one of the most iconic franchises in gaming history. Series creator Hideo Kojima's vision was to create a game that rewarded players for avoiding enemy encounters instead of rushing into combat like other action games of the time. It established the stealth action genre. The NES version of Metal Gear had several significant differences from the original MSX version, and the sequel never saw a release in the West until the Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection on PS3. The resurgence of the franchise should go beyond Metal Gear Solid and reintroduce players to the series' origins.

The original MSX Metal Gear games have a lasting legacy that has influenced numerous games and franchises in the gaming industry. It is essential to acknowledge and appreciate the series' genesis to understand its significance fully.

Similar to other Japanese-developed contemporaries, the release and localization of Metal Gear in the West on the Nintendo Entertainment System differed significantly from the MSX original. One of the most significant differences was the absence of the titular Metal Gear tank in the NES version, with players instead facing off against a supercomputer as the final boss, which was confusing for many. When Konami subsidiary Ultra released a Metal Gear sequel on the NES (Snake's Revenge), it was a completely different game from the true sequel (Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake) released on the MSX home computer in Japan.

Despite the critical role played by the two MSX Metal Gear games in the franchise's history, they are only available in the West through Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection, which is exclusive to PS3. It's unfortunate that the gameplay of both Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, which stand up well against earlier entries in other long-running franchises, are not more widely accessible. In addition, many of the mechanics that fans associate with the series can be traced back to these MSX titles, particularly Metal Gear 2, which served as a proof-of-concept for what would eventually become Metal Gear Solid on the PS1.

Much like Metal Gear Solid 4, the original MSX Metal Gear games are only available on the PlayStation 3 as part of a physical disc. To bring the Metal Gear franchise to modern hardware, Konami should consider digitally releasing every entry in the series on PSN. While a physical disc release of an updated Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection would appeal to collectors and fans, a digital re-release would likely result in higher sales. However, Konami could also explore other options to showcase the brilliance of the early Metal Gear titles.

Rather than just repackaging the original games with updated visuals, Konami should consider enlisting a skilled studio to reimagine the first two Metal Gear games with modern quality-of-life features. Many of Metal Gear's contemporaries have already received successful remasters that retain the original mechanics and gameplay. However, it's important to acknowledge that Metal Gear Solid would never have existed without the solid foundation laid by the two MSX titles. Therefore, a return to the Metal Gear franchise should not ignore or neglect them.