Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Did You Know?

• A novelization of Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater, written by Satoshi Hase, was published by Kadokawa Shoten in Japan on January 25, 2014.
• KPE announced a pachislot adaptation of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, released on October 17, 2016, on a cabinet called the Big Boss with a 32-inch LCD monitor.
• In 2011, Kojima revealed he floated the idea of a Metal Gear Solid 5 set during the World War II invasion of Normandy, showing The Boss and Cobra Unit's assistance.

Synopsis

Snake Eater takes place in an alternate history during the Cold War of the 1960s, acting as a prequel to the entire Metal Gear series. The protagonist, Naked Snake, is a young former Green Beret assigned to the CIA unit FOX. He is assisted via radio by Major Zero, Para-Medic, and Sigint. The primary antagonists are Colonel Volgin, an electricity-controlling GRU colonel, and The Boss, Snake's former mentor and co-founder of FOX. The Cobra Unit, led by The Boss, includes The End, The Fear, The Fury, The Pain, and The Sorrow. Other characters include Dr. Sokolov, a rocket scientist Snake must rescue; rival scientist Aleksandr Granin; EVA, Snake's love interest and KGB agent; and a young Ocelot, commander of the Ocelot Unit.

Development

The game was initially planned for the PlayStation 3 but was moved to the PlayStation 2 due to the console's long wait. Director Hideo Kojima wanted to change the setting to a jungle, which he felt both his team and fans desired. Kojima asked Yoji Shinkawa to make Naked Snake similar to Solid Snake, but as a rookie who acts more naively. The love scene between Naked Snake and EVA was inspired by the 1963 film The Pink Panther. Kojima originally wanted Kurt Russell to voice Naked Snake, but Russell declined. Russell later stated he understood the character was inspired by his role as Snake Plissken from Escape from New York, but was not interested in reprising roles or working without director John Carpenter.

Release

Snake Eater was first released in North America, with the Japanese release held back nearly a month. The Japanese version included additional downloadable camouflage patterns. A limited premium package in Japan came with a DVD of promotional trailers, two booklets, and a model of the Shagohod. The European release added the European Extreme difficulty setting, a demo theater, a Duel Mode, extra facepaints based on European flags, and new Snake vs. Monkey levels.