# Metal Gear Solid ## Overview Often mistaken for a port of its PlayStation namesake, *Metal Gear Solid* for the Game Boy Color is a completely original entry in the series, known in Japan as *Metal Gear: Ghost Babel*. This non-canon title presents an alternate storyline where Solid Snake is pulled back into action to infiltrate the fortress of the Gindra Liberation Front in central Africa. His mission is to neutralize their plan to use a stolen Metal Gear prototype, code-named GANDER, to achieve global dominance. It stands as a testament to what was possible on Nintendo's 8-bit handheld. ## Background Developed by Konami and released in 2000, *Metal Gear Solid* for the GBC was created to bring the "Tactical Espionage Action" experience to a portable platform. Instead of attempting to recreate the 3D world of the PlayStation game, the development team, with supervision from Hideo Kojima's studio, smartly returned to the 2D top-down perspective of the original MSX games. The goal was to build a new adventure that captured the spirit and mechanics of the PlayStation hit while being perfectly tailored to the Game Boy Color's hardware. The game was met with critical acclaim for its incredible depth, tight controls, and success in translating the core *Metal Gear* feel to a handheld device. ## Gameplay *Metal Gear Solid* on Game Boy Color brilliantly blends the classic 2D viewpoint with the sophisticated mechanics introduced in its 3D counterpart. Players navigate intricate levels from a top-down perspective, using the iconic radar system to track enemy patrols and their cones of vision. Gameplay is focused on stealth and strategy; you must crawl through ducts, hide in shadows, and knock on walls to distract guards. Snake has access to a familiar arsenal of weapons and items, and the Codec system returns for mission briefings and character interactions. The game is packed with content, featuring a full-length story mode and hundreds of challenging VR Training missions that test every aspect of your espionage skills.