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Konami defends inflated MGS4 bundle cost
The folks at Konami have been trolling the forums again, kids, and this time they're fighting back. Reps from the game-maker have issued a statement on the company forum addressing the furor over the inflated cost of the forthcoming, limited edition Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle. According to Konami, the bumped up price ($600 for a 40GB version of the PS3, plus Dual Shock controller and MGS4 game) is due to the special material used to create the gunmetal gray system and controller casing. The company seems to take issue with the fact that some are calling it simply a "paint job," and points out that the run of units is only 10,000, and the package also includes a version of the game with an extra disc of additional content. To put it another way: this is the deal of a lifetime![Via Wired]
Metal Gear Solid Mobile coming to N-Gage
When we told you that Metal Gear Solid 4 wouldn't be the last of the Metal Gear games, we had no idea the next towering achievement in the series would be announced so soon and that it would be so ... small. Gamesindustry.biz reported today that Metal Gear Solid Mobile (winner of two 2007 International Mobile Gaming Awards) would be coming to no one's favorite platform: The N-Gage.Expect N-Gage-exclusive content in the game, set to launch shortly after MGS 4 hits stores. But also, expect it to be on the N-Gage, so expect yourself to have forgotten about the whole shebang before hour's end.
Metal Gear Solid digital comic may skip PSP, go to DVD
Those anticipating the next Metal Gear Solid digital comic on PSP may be sorely disappointed. The first comic was released on UMD and retold Snake's Shadow Moses adventure, through stylishly animated comic panels. A sequel, based on the events of Metal Gear Solid 2, was supposed to be released on PSP as well, but has mysteriously vanished since we last saw it. This new comic would be presented in the same style as the first, but would include voice acting from series vets.Japanese retailer Game Star has listed a 2-disc DVD release for a new Metal Gear Solid digital comic, which includes both retellings. The planned release is June 12th, the same day as the PS3-exclusive Metal Gear Solid 4. Certainly, a DVD release would be more viable, and there are ways to get DVD content on to a PSP. We'll have to wait for more details.[Via PSPHyper]
Metal Gear retrospective goes back to the MSX days
Retrospectives are both a great and horrible thing. This Metal Gear retrospective by GameTrailers is an excellent way to relive the long-revered franchise. To many, it may come as strange to think that Kojima was ever a troubled developer -- but that's exactly what happened. The original Metal Gear was a last-ditched attempt at saving Kojima's career. The idea of a "sneaking mission" game, where the player isn't encouraged to kill everything on sight was a daring move ... that ultimately paid off. The early origins of Snake's adventures are fascinating to see, as they help ground us for Snake's last adventure -- Metal Gear Solid 4. While this retrospective serves as a fantastic primer, it also details some of the noteworthy differences between the MSX original, and the NES follow-up. Also, find out more about the NES-exclusive sequel, which wasn't handled by Kojima at all.Oh, and why are retrospectives horrible? Because they remind us how old we are. [Via Joystiq]
Gametrailers begins Metal Gear retrospective
We've really been enjoying Gametrailers' well-researched and engaging Star Wars retrospective, so we were happy to see this morning that they had turned their attention to everyone's favorite sneaky soldier with their Metal Gear retrospective. The first episode, seen above, covers Metal Gear, Snake's Revenge and MG2: Solid Snake.It's a good way to refresh before Metal Gear Solid 4, but we hope the narrator is prepared for when he has to start recapping Metal Gear Solid plots. (Exploded brain washes out of microphones, right?)
New Metal Gear Online details: catapults, customization and Konami IDs
The US PlayStation Blog has unleashed a massive amount of Metal Gear Online details in preparation for the oncoming beta. The client becomes available for download on April 17, with online play beginning April 21. According to the blog, a Konami ID will be required for play. You can register in the client or go ahead and make one now.You'll be able to customize your character's appearance extensively, which will likely only deter people for a few minutes from playing as (a now self-made) Solid Snake. Skills in the game will be upgradeable, and you choose four to specialize in. Said the blog, "Close Quarter Combat (CQC), knife fighting, quickness, alertness, heavy weaponry mastery, demolition, and sniper mastery are just some of the skills you can specialize in."Also revealed are a list of weapons and items you can use in the game, two new sepia-infused maps are also revealed, Blood Bath and Groznyj Grad, and the best idea so far: catapults for launching your character across maps. Gallery: Metal Gear Online [Via PS3 Fanboy]
PS3 Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle at SonyStyle, no pre-order in sight
Sony, you tease! You go and finally put the 80 GB PS3 / Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle up at SonyStyle, complete with a SKU and price point, but you're not taking pre-orders? We just get to look at the thing? Can we touch it? Just for a second? We won't tell. Anyway, as expected, the PS3 / MGS4 bundle will be available in June at $499.99 complete with a DUALSHOCK3 wireless controller. Let's hope that "notify me" button says "add to cart" some time soon.[Thanks, David]
First VGA-graded games up for auction
What's VGA, you ask? No, it's not Spike's Video Game Awards. It's the Video Game Authority, a group that issues grades based on the condition of old video games, in a manner similar to action figures and trading cards. After paying a fee, gamers send in their beloved collectibles, which are graded and sealed in tamper-evident acrylic cases, marked with the official hologram of the organization. The first of these VGA-graded items are currently up for auction on eBay.Currently available are near-mint copies of Super Mario Bros. 3, Final Fantasy, Metal Gear and others, all in the 75-85 grade range. Final Fantasy is notably already up over $200, and Super Mario Bros. 3 isn't far behind. If nothing else, those NES games look damn sexy in those plastic cases. Read - First VGA Graded Games Hit eBay [GameSniped]Read - BigHedToyz [eBay]
Europe will get MGO beta too
According to Eurogamer, Konami has told them that a European Metal Gear Online beta will be announced "shortly." This is excellent news for Europeans, especially for the lot of you trying to sneak onto the Japanese beta sign-up but keep getting locked out. Naughty. In any case, you can stop the nail-biting anxiety now. Also, cancel that planned trip down to the pub -- the one you usually reserve for occasional grumblings on being left in the dark again.While Euros await the chance to pounce on a sign-up, North Americans are sitting at home with paranoia for the past few weeks safeguarding their beta access codes from potential intruders. We're keeping it under lock and key, and behind a sawed-off shotgun. See, getting things early isn't always that much of a slick deal.
New Metal Gear Online screens, now with lots of English
The public beta test for Metal Gear Online will be coming next month for those who pre-ordered Metal Gear Solid 4. In order to prepare all you MGS fans out there for the upcoming frag-fest, we suggest you have a look at these new screens, courtesy of Gamersyde. Things look like they're coming along smoothly, and the scores of English text only means we're getting closer and closer to those fateful beta days.In the meantime, we suggest you start thinking of your special Metal Gear code name fast before someone else snatches it up. If you're having trouble finding the right name, we suggest you use this old friend of ours: Metal Gear name generator. This blogger's MGS code name is "Contageous Mandrill." Meh. What's yours?
Sony teases us with hot super-limited-edition MGS4 wireless headphones
If Metal Gear Solid 4 truly is the last game in the series (please please no), it's going to have gotten quite a send-off: a limited-edition gunmetal PS3 in Japan, a new $499 PS3 bundle in the rest of the world, the North American launch of the DualShock 3, and, uh, some wireless headphones. Well, not just any wireless headphones: a limited-edition run of Sony's hot 7.1-channel MDR-DS7000s, with different artwork on each can. Sadly, it doesn't look like these are going to be all that easy to get -- only 30 will be randomly handed out to those buying MGS4 bundles from the Japanese Konami store from now until June 1. Better get clicking, Sparky.[Via Gemaga; thanks J]
Snatcher Pilot Disk ported, fantastic
Fresh off its abridged port of visual novel Fate/Stay Night: Trial Edition, Multiple: Option has posted another homebrew adaptation of a text-heavy game, Snatcher Pilot Disk.This release is based on the PC-Engine demo of Hideo Kojima and Konami's acclaimed adventure title, but uses still images from the Sega CD version. Though there isn't much players can do to deviate from the game's very linear progression, the cyberpunk plot and voice acting keep Snatcher Pilot DS interesting. For those of you who demand interactivity beyond selecting text options, there's also a fun bug-blasting segment towards the end.Unfortunately, this "pilot" comprises only the first act of the full Snatcher game, taking players through the J.U.N.K.E.R. headquarters and factory scene (Multiple: Option does not plan to port the complete game). Still, it's an entertaining, 10-minute experience worth playing through. [Via PAlib]
Rumor: MGS4 leaked release date? [Update]
Over at the NeoGAF forums, a member posted a supposed Metal Gear Solid 4 advertisement from Famitsu magazine. In the ad, it clearly states a release date that reads "2008.06.12". It's most likely this date is for June 12; however, other members have confirmed this magazine scan is a fake. Despite being proven an ad that doesn't even appear in the Famitsu issue in question, this rumor does pique our interests as anything MGS-related would. A release date for June 12 does sound reasonable, since MGS4 shouldn't miss its Q2 2008 schedule. So while fake, it's a fair estimate for a release. Just don't get your hopes up if you see this ad floating around elsewhere.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!][Update: This isn't real. Sorry, folks. It's a confirmed Photoshop job, as stated in the NeoGAF forum.]
More Metal Gear Online Images
Does the above image look like it belongs somewhere else? Well, it sort of does to us; the background environment reminds us more of another Konami hit series, Silent Hill, than it does Metal Gear Solid. That is, of course, once you take out all the Russian soldiers.Luckily, it's only this screenshot out of a batch that made us think so; the rest of the screenshots look mighty fine. Check out the rest of the new images at The Magic Box.
Rumor: Nintendo still hurt about RE4, reason why Capcom doesn't have a Brawler
There's a rumor floating around that the lack of a playable character from Camp Capcom is due to a little game by the name of Resident Evil 4. You see, before it ended up on the PC and PS2, along with the Wii, it was meant to be entirely a GameCube exclusive. That didn't last that long, however.With the inclusion of Sega's Sonic and Solid Snake from the Metal Gear Solid line of games, the inclusion of one of Capcom's characters (oh, let's say ... Mega Man) quite possibly would've been too much for this blogger's weak little heart. The rest of the world, however, probably would've liked to see one of Capcom's characters make it into the already overstuffed line-up of playable brawlers. What Capcom character would you have liked to see in Brawl?
Rumor: Metal Gear Solid 4 demo coming after all?
Sure, if Kojima Productions' Ryan Payton is to be believed, there won't be a Metal Gear Solid 4 demo, but if you're a reader of the Ultimate PlayStation 3 Mag, you're probably scratching your head right now. That's because after previewing a level from the game in the January issue, they say the stage they played will be available on the PlayStation Store in February.While this most certainly isn't concrete proof of the demo heading our way, it does certainly keep the hope alive. After all, would it really be that much trouble for Konami to throw its diehard fans a bone?
WotLK is one of Yahoo!'s most anticipated games of 2008
Wrath of the Lich King made Yahoo! Games' list of 10 anticipated games in 2008. It's the only expansion on the list, and it stands proudly alongside other legendary intellectual properties like Metal Gear Solid, Final Fantasy, Halo, Fallout, and Grand Theft Auto.It's definitely unusual for an expansion pack to make a list like this; that just goes to show you how extraordinary World of Warcraft is as a cultural phenomenon. Now if only I knew when this blasted expansion might be coming out, I could stop sitting around and fantasizing about playing as a Death Knight. No, wait ... I'd still be doing that anyway.
Metal Gear Saga video now translated
Despite the fact that Metal Gear 20th Anniversary: Metal Gear Solid Collection still hasn't seen a Western release, we can now enjoy at least one part of the collection. Included in the box set is the Metal Gear Saga video, which is narrated by an unnamed character who apparently had a run-in with Solid Snake sometime in the past.Since the video was entirely in Japanese we couldn't understand what was being said until the guys at MetalGearSolid.org recently translated the video. It's a pretty interesting and definitely a treat for Metal Gear fans.
Dojo update: Gray Fox enters the fray
There's a tasty double serving of updates today on the dojo, but the lowdown on Brawl's "Grab and Throw" manoeuver is likely to be overshadowed by the inclusion of a second Metal Gear Solid character.The good news is it's not Raiden (we fear the internets would implode with fanboy vitriol), but Frank Jaeger, a.k.a cyborg ninja Gray Fox, a.k.a That Dude Who Engages In A Totally Badass Battle With Metal Gear REX Only To Get Heroically Stomped. The bad news: he's not playable, but merely an Assist Trophy. Nevertheless, a pretty cool addition.%Gallery-6869%%Gallery-3347%
Dojo update: Shadow Moses Island
There just might be a new level to topple our current favorite from Smash Bros. Melee, Hyrule. Not only is this stage a wonderful piece of nostalgia, it is also fairly functional and includes a feature we wish more stages had: nowhere to fall to your death. Seriously, we hate ourselves some plunging to doom. Oh, and occasionally a Metal Gear will appear. Rock!Click on through to check out some videos aside from the ones featured this morning, including one where Snake talks about him and Samus taking their clothes off. "!" indeed.%Gallery-6869%%Gallery-3347%
