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The Metal Gear Solid series has evolved significantly since its inception, and its portable iterations have played an intriguing role in that growth. In this article, we take a closer look at some of the notable handheld entries, exploring their stories, gameplay mechanics, and impact on the overall Metal Gear legacy.
Metal Gear Solid: Ghost Babel (2000)
In 2000, the series made its first portable leap with Metal Gear Solid: Ghost Babel, released for the Game Boy Color. While not considered canon, Ghost Babel was an impressive what-if scenario, imagining an alternate future following the events of the original Metal Gear (1987). Directed by Shinta Nojiri, who later contributed to Metal Gear Acid and Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Ghost Babel brought the signature stealth-action gameplay to a new platform, albeit with some adjustments for the handheld experience.
The story takes place seven years after the destruction of Outer Heaven. Solid Snake, once again brought out of retirement by Roy Campbell, parachutes into the fictional Central African country of Gindra. The Gindra Liberation Front (GLF), led by General Augustine Egan, has gained access to Metal Gear technology, threatening global security. Snake’s mission leads him through forests, fortresses, and enemy strongholds, aided by a cast of supporting characters via his iconic codec. Alongside Campbell, Snake is supported by mercenary Weasel, CIA agent Brian McBride, and tech-savvy grad student Mei Ling.
Ghost Babel introduces memorable enemies from the Black Chamber, a rogue U.S. Black Ops unit. Among the bosses Snake faces are Slasher Hawk, an aboriginal boomerang-wielding warrior, the puppet-controlling Marionette Owl, the flamethrower-wielding Pyro Bison, and Black Arts Viper, a master of illusion. As Snake navigates through treachery and betrayal, he eventually uncovers the GLF’s real agenda and takes down yet another iteration of Metal Gear.
Despite its limited hardware, Ghost Babel was lauded as a portable masterpiece, managing to deliver a true Metal Gear experience on the Game Boy Color. Its combination of series staples—like codec calls, cardboard boxes, and guided missiles—along with innovative level-based gameplay made it a standout entry. The game even included over 100 VR missions to challenge players' stealth and combat skills.
Metal Gear Acid (2004)
After the success of Ghost Babel, the next significant portable entry came with Metal Gear Acid for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) in 2004. This time, the series took a bold turn, shifting from its real-time stealth-action roots to a card-based, turn-based strategy game. Directed by Shinta Nojiri, Acid offered a unique gameplay experience that capitalized on the PSP's hardware while providing something distinct from previous Metal Gear titles.
Set in the year 2016, Metal Gear Acid follows a retired Solid Snake as he is pulled into a mission to infiltrate the Lobito Physics and Chemistry Laboratory. Snake’s objective is to retrieve a project called Pythagoras, while preventing a terrorist attack on a jumbo jet carrying a U.S. senator. Along the way, he is aided by his team members Roger McCoy and Alice Hazel, as well as FBI agent Lou, who turns out to have hidden agendas.
The game’s card system governed all actions, from movement to attacks, and each card represented a different weapon, ability, or strategy. This added a layer of tactical depth that was unlike anything seen before in the series. Players had to carefully select and manage their deck of cards to navigate maps, sneak past guards, and engage in combat. While the shift in gameplay was divisive, Metal Gear Acid was praised for its originality, even if it didn’t capture the same widespread appeal as the mainline games.
Metal Gear Acid 2 (2005)
A year after Acid, Metal Gear Acid 2 was released, offering refinements and new features that improved upon the original’s formula. While it maintained the card-based, turn-based strategy gameplay, the sequel introduced a new cel-shaded art style, making the graphics more vibrant and visually distinct. This stylistic change brought a fresh look to the game, setting it apart from the more serious tone of its predecessor.
In Acid 2, players control a new clone of Snake, created from cell samples during the events of the original game. This clone Snake is tasked with infiltrating a military arms dealer’s facility and stopping a nuclear launch. Partnered with a new character, Venus, the story leads players through twists and betrayals, culminating in another battle against a new Metal Gear.
One of the most innovative additions was the Solid Eye, a peripheral device that players could attach to their PSP to view the game in a pop-out 3D effect. This novel feature was a nod to the experimental nature of the Acid series, and it came with additional content such as cutscenes from Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater that could be viewed in 3D.
Despite these enhancements, Metal Gear Acid 2 still struggled to win over fans who preferred the real-time stealth-action of the mainline series. However, it was generally better received than its predecessor, earning praise for its expanded content and improved mechanics.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (2006)
With Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, the series returned to its stealth-action roots, delivering an experience that more closely mirrored the mainline games. Released for the PSP in 2006, Portable Ops followed Big Boss after the events of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. In this game, Big Boss must recruit a team to stop a new insurrection led by the mysterious Jean, creating a squad-based approach to the familiar Metal Gear gameplay.
One of the key innovations of Portable Ops was the comrade system, where players could incapacitate enemies, capture them, and recruit them into their team. These recruits could then be assigned to different roles, such as combat, medical support, or technical development. The squad-based mechanics allowed players to switch between different characters during missions, adding a layer of strategic depth.
Though Portable Ops was mission-based, players could revisit areas to explore or replenish supplies, making inventory management a crucial part of the gameplay. The game also featured a full 3D camera and included Wi-Fi-enabled multiplayer, expanding the possibilities for online play. While the game received praise for its ambition, some players found the squad mechanics and mission structure to be tedious.
Conclusion
The portable iterations of Metal Gear Solid show the series’ willingness to experiment and adapt to new platforms. From the alternate history of Ghost Babel to the strategic, card-based mechanics of Metal Gear Acid, these handheld titles offered fresh perspectives on the beloved franchise. While they may not have always been as well-received as the mainline entries, their innovation and unique gameplay mechanics have earned them a place in Metal Gear history.
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