After being largely absent from the gaming landscape in the last several years,Metal Gear Solidis expected to make a return of some kind as part of the upcoming PlayStation Showcase on May 24. While the prevailing thought is that the return of the franchise will happen through a remake ofMetal Gear Solid 3, there are also signs that point to the possibility of the entireMetal Gear Solidseries coming to PlayStation thanks to a rumored partnership with Konami. IfMetal Gearis indeed going to be making a resurgence on modern hardware, it would be a mistake to ignore the series' original entries on the MSX home computer.
The original MSX versions ofMetal GearandMetal Gear 2: Solid Snakelaid the foundation for one of gaming’s most revered franchises and established the stealth action genre. 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. The NES version ofMetal Gearhad several key differences from the MSX original and the sequel never appeared in the West until the release ofMetal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collectionon PS3.The return of theMetal Gearfranchiseshould move beyondMetal Gear Solidand reintroduce players to the series' genesis.
RELATED:All the Games That Could be At PlayStation’s May 24 Showcase
The Enduring Legacy of the Original MSX Metal Gear Games
Similar to other Japanese-developed contemporaries, therelease and localization ofMetal Gearin the West on the Nintendo Entertainment System came with a slew of differences from the MSX original. One of the most critical (and confusing) of these differences is a lack of the titular Metal Gear tank’s appearance in the NES version, with players instead facing off against a supercomputer as the final boss. By the time Konami subsidiary Ultra brought aMetal Gearsequel to the NES (the much-malignedSnake’s Revenge), it was a completely different game from the true sequel released on the MSX home computer in Japan –Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.
Despite being such a critical piece of the history of the franchise, the two MSXMetal Geargames are only available in the West viaMetal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection,which is locked behindPS3 exclusivity. This is a shame considering that the gameplay of bothMetal GearandMetal Gear 2: Solid Snakehold up impressively compared to the earliest entries in other long-running franchises. Additionally, many of the mechanics that fans associate with the series can be traced back to these MSX titles, withMetal Gear 2very clearly being a proof-of-concept for what would becomeMetal Gear Solidon the PS1.
How Konami Could Bring Metal Gear to Modern Hardware
Much likeMetal Gear Solid 4, the two original MSXMetal Geargames are only available on the PlayStation 3 as part of a physical disc. As part of theMetal Gearseries' return on modern hardware, Konami should digitally release every entry in theMetal Gearfranchise on PSN. While the release of an updatedMetal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collectionon a physical disc would appeal to collectors and fans, it’s likely that Konami would move more units as a result of a digital re-release. But there are options other than a simple re-release that could spotlightthe brilliance of the earlyMetal Geartitles.
Several ofMetal Gear’s contemporaries have received remasters that retain the original mechanics and gameplay but update the visuals using 3D assets on a 2D plane or remaster the pixel-based art for HD textures and resolution. Instead of simply repackaging games and releasing them for purchase on modern hardware,Konamicould enlist a talented studio to re-imagine the first twoMetal Geargames with modern quality of life features. It’s safe to say thatMetal Gear Solidwould have never become a reality without the incredible foundation laid by the two MSX titles, and a return of theMetal Gearfranchise shouldn’t leave them hanging.
MORE:Rumor: Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake Will Launch on Multiple Platforms
