Metal Gear (1987). Play Free Online

Summary

The NES port of Metal Gear diverges noticeably from its MSX2 predecessor. Level layouts were re‑designed, the underwater breach was swapped for a jungle parachute drop, and the iconic Metal Gear boss became a heavily‑guarded Supercomputer. Even the rooftop Hind D enemy was replaced by a pair of “Twin Shot” turret gunners, while several alert phases were stripped away.

Gameplay still revolves around classic stealth – stay out of sight, use a suppressor for silent shots, and rely on a buggy radio that sprouts grammar mistakes. Players start empty‑handed, finding gear like gas masks and binoculars in hidden caches; unlike the original, punched guards no longer drop rations or ammo. Progress is saved with numeric passcodes, one of which famously teleports you to the final battle when entered as a profanity cheat.

The title moved over a million units in the United States, ranking among the top sellers of 1988, and critics lauded its graphics and groundbreaking stealth feel despite occasional clunky controls. Its influence echoes in every modern stealth‑action franchise, and it later resurfaced on the Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes special disc and numerous modern compilations.

Storyline

In the late 1990s the West learns a nuclear‑armed walking tank, codenamed Metal Gear, is being built inside Outer Heaven, a fortified state north of Galzburg, South Africa. FOXHOUND sends its top operative Gray Fox to investigate, but contact is lost after his last transmission, “METAL GEAR…”. Big Boss, the FOXHOUND commander, then assigns his rookie Solid Snake to the Intrude N313 mission.

After parachuting into the compound, Snake links up with resistance members Schneider, Diane and Jennifer, rescues Gray Fox, and learns that Metal Gear can launch nukes from anywhere. He also frees Dr. Pettrovich and his daughter Elen, who reveal a weakness in the machine. While battling Outer Heaven troops, Snake notices traps that seem too precise, hinting at inside knowledge.

Big Boss begins feeding misleading advice and even tells the player to turn off the console, breaking the fourth wall. Eventually Snake reaches the core of Outer Heaven, destroys the incomplete Metal Gear and confronts Big Boss, the true leader of the mercenary state. After a final showdown Snake defeats Big Boss, escapes the self‑destructing base, and a post‑credits message promises their next meeting.

Edited by Maya Carter