Metal Gear (NES) Playthrough

A playthrough of Ultra's 1988 action-adventure game for the NES, Metal Gear.
Metal Gear, originally created for MSX2 computers, marked the directorial debut of Hideo Kojima when it was released in the summer of 1987 ( • Metal Gear (MSX2) Play... ).
The NES port, released five months later, was produced without the knowledge or blessing of the original development staff. Kojima was incensed by the liberties taken with his work and publically decried the console version, declaring that it did not exist within the series' canon.
But regardless of his feelings on the game, Metal Gear for the Nintendo went on to sell over a million copies and served as many gamers' first exposure to the unique story, mechanics, and logic that would drive the series over the following decades.
Metal Gear introduces players to “Outer Heaven,” a small African territory ruled by autocrat Vermon CaTaffy. CaTaffy's regime has developed a revolutionary new weapon of mass destruction known as Metal Gear, an all-terrain, bipedal tank outfitted with a full nuclear armament and long-range strike capabilities.
Solid Snake, the newest member of the elite FoxHound unit, has been assigned the task of infiltrating Outer Heaven, rescuing prisoners of war, and destroying Metal Gear. With the fate of the free world resting on his shoulders, Snake must not fail.
Metal Gear differentiates itself from the typical action fare by shifting the game’s focus from shooting to stealth. While Snake can fly at his enemies with guns blazing, doing so will likely leave him badly injured or dead.
In most cases, Snake's best bet is to avoid detection by running past soldiers when they aren’t looking and by taking advantage of surveillance cameras’ blind spots. There are several items that can aid Snake in his sneaking, including infrared goggles (to see invisible laser tripwires), a suppressor for his pistol, and a cardboard box that functions as a makeshift disguise when Snake doesn’t have time to find more substantial cover.
Snake may be an army-of-one, but he maintains regular contact with FoxHound through his transceiver. Big Boss issues the orders and the others offer advice and tactical support. These short conversations provide Snake with important hints and tips on how to deal with his current predicament, and they move the plot forward at several key junctures.
The transceiver is a slick way of injecting the game play with a narrative without breaking the fourth wall, but the impact of the story is somewhat blunted by the poor translation. Characters spouting lines like, “You will need your gas mask in gas-covered areas,” and, “I feel asleep,” often break the suspension of disbelief needed in the telling such a far-fetched story, but it's still engrossing enough to pull off the surprise plot twist at the end.
Metal Gear‘s graphics, though heavily downgraded from the MSX2 version, are fair by 1988 NES standards, and the music does a nice job of accentuating the tense feel of the gameplay.
The game play mechanics and responsive controls suitably do their job, save for the few irritating instances when enemies spot you the moment you enter a screen. The binoculars can help sidestep this, but they're a total pain to use. The game’s difficulty level could also do with some balancing - Metal Gear is brutally difficult through its first third, but once Snake has ranked up a few times and stocked up on supplies, encounters rarely pose a threat.
Though it’s not without its flaws, Metal Gear stands as an innovative pioneer against the glut of Mario and Xevious clones that made up a large chunk of the NES’s library in its first few years, and it's still a game that's well worth playing.
One particularly funny thing that really dates it, though, is how you carry around a pack of cigarettes as a usable inventory item. I never thought anything of it as a kid since smoking wasn't a big deal back then. Everyone smoked, and even McDonald's had ashtrays on their tables. Different times, they were.
(My original playthrough of MG was seven years old and was badly in need of an update, so this is a brand new playthrough with much better video quality.)
You can find my video of Metal Gear's US-exclusive NES sequel here: • Snake's Revenge (NES) ...
_____________
No cheats were used during the recording of this video.

[@Shorty_Lickens]

As a child I found this game way too complicated and difficult. As an adult I find this game way too complicated and difficult.

[@mariocastaneda1552]

😂😂😂 I agree

[@michaelsimpson208]

You forgotten to add Still after I!

[@marciojunior5232]

@@michaelsimpson208 If he used the "Still" he would lose the comic effect of the comment.

[@josephfitzpatrick9625]

I AGREE BUT STILL THE COOLEST

[@brianjay692]

No doubt. I think legally acquiring a suppressor is actually easier in real life …

[@rjcupid]

This was one of the first NES games I rented as a kid. I had no idea what to do but I still found it to be a fascinating game. “I FEEL ASLEEP!!”

[@bobobandy9382]

The truck have started to move!

[@rjcupid]

@@bobobandy9382 Whoa it’s Conky!

[@bobobandy9382]

@@rjcupid Haha! It sure is.

[@NintendoComplete]

I feel you. I didn't really understand what it wanted me to do, and the rental games rarely had manuals with them. I don't think I ever made any real progress until I saw some tips in Nintendo Power.

[@rjcupid]

@@NintendoComplete Great play through. You’re right, there rarely/never were manuals with the rentals (depending on the video store). It’s a cryptic game, but an awesome one once your understand it.

[@NintendoComplete]

What a classic NES game! With the MGS collection coming soon, it felt like the perfect time to revisit Snake's first stealth adventure.

[@SebastianJung422]

I'm excited about the Metal Gear Solid 3 Remake Next Year. 🙂🙂🙂

[@damacattack8434]

Metal Gear is coming back in the best way possible.

[@Nostalgia9478]

Ever played Herzog Zwei?

[@danalong1237]

Metal Gear, Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid II: Sons of Liberty are the best Metal Gear games ever! Snake’s Revenge? (Insert buzzer) NOT SO MUCH!!!!!!!

[@tuxysmagicaljukebox5431]

@@danalong1237 Well Kojima-san says he likes Snake's Revenge and thinks it is loyal to the spirit of the franchise so you are out of luck. And I agree with him. It is a good game.

[@varela79]

I grew up in Mexico and my dad bought this for me when he went to El Paso once. The original version came with a map that told you all of the cards needed for each door, etc. Love this hame series!

[@andythomson8456]

Whilst I understand the game’s giving tutorials on its mechanics, it is amusing to see crack commando Solid Snake needing guns and binoculars explained to him.

[@sportbikeguy00]

Took me a year to beat this game back in the day, had no help whatsoever, no map, no internet, etc... To me it's an early version of the wonderful classic Syphon Filter series.

[@kimoquickreyes81]

Yo Syphon filter!!!! One of the best games ever. Thanks for bringing it up. Looking for it now

[@sportbikeguy00]

@kimoquickreyes81 I have every Syphon Filter game. It's one of my all-time favorite game series.

[@ausable92]

I hear ya! I drew out all my own maps on old paper grocery sacks I cut open. Loved this game.

[@charlessentenat1250]

I don't believe you. I know you called the Nintendo hotline.😂

[@ClassicGameSessions]

I still remember the first time playing this as a rental back in the day. This one has a lot of depth, atmosphere, and grit for a NES game - super nostalgic!

[@minhkhoaluong25]

Solid Snake: a well-trained special force operative. Also Solid Snake: Ask every damn thing about basic equipments as if he doesn’t know how to use them

[@southbronxny5727]

I remember this game came with a map and there was an error on the door labels, so I was super stuck. I had to call the nintendo power game hotline to continue 😂🤣😂

[@Marine2111usmc]

I loved this game as a kid. Pretty sure it’s still at my Parents house. They still pay the nes time to time. They still have all my games.

[@PukamanKen]

The ultimate classic NES game. I wish I still had my console. 😢

[@user-vg6xv4qj4c]

You can buy any PSP cheap and play it on NesterJ emulator on PSP any time Like me right now 😊

[@AxelAlexK]

Get another one! They aren't too expensive. :)

[@sford]

This brings back memories. Thanks for not ruining it by talking all the way through.

[@kingfluffy1979]

Oh man, this really brings back memories. Used to play this all the time as a kid and loved it. However, I still find it dumb you have to switch from a gas mask to a key card and are guaranteed to take damage.

[@Dorelaxen]

Love me some Metal Gear. I rented this one on a weekend and managed to finish it before I had to take it back. Still a fantastic game, even if it does have some flaws.

[@arodb86]

Wow.. what a nice game.. remember playing with my dad I was only 6 at the time.. and remember the map included on the NES game.. what a classic.. thanks to bring the playthrough..!!! 🤗🤗🤩🤩😄😁

[@benjaminhedderly4495]

On of the toughest games ever....🍻

[@MegaMan87]

Well done, Completing Hideo Kojima's Deformed Grandchild! You done as the Greatest Solider in the World as ever Done to Defeat Big Boss in this Version. Thankfully No Sequence to Defeat Metal Gear on the Legs!

[@songoku9348]

Nice upload. Wasn’t expecting NES Metal Gear.

[@dmarioisajerk]

"INTRUDER!!!...oh nevermind he went through that door, BACK TO WORK" I remember this came out when i was in 6th grade. I didn't understand it at all. Now watching this I get the hype. And WHY IS DIANE SO CHIPPER?!

[@Animebailey]

That awesome game music!

[@mahendrap1960]

This is one those game I wish I played on my childhood

[@cormano64]

@@Phantom.Gaming64 Not this game at all. The MSX one is a fundamentally different game and by far the superior one.

[@cormano64]

@@Phantom.Gaming64 You also said this previously: "I think this game will be part of the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection that's coming in October." You were contradicting yourself in the full comment and I pointed it out because someone might have read that and come to the conclusion that the NES version was a faithful port, which many people sadly still do.

[@Phantom.Gaming64]

@@cormano64 Leave me alone.

[@kascnef]

The game that started it all. Happy 35th to the us release

[@cantsuggestareasonablename9101]

You mean the msx version of metal gear.

[@cantsuggestareasonablename9101]

@@goti4no820 If msx was originally the American version too then that game will get extremely high score. NES was indeed a very bad washed out msx and its difficult to find enjoyment on that version.

[@vdog4799]

Nice choice man! Looking forward to this!😁👍❤️

[@ElZorroHonesto]

Two things to know about this version of the game: 1) the translation is better than the official English translation of the MSX2 original, which I believe was exclusive to Europe; and 2) the nonsense with "Vermon CaTaffy" and "Commander South" is only in the instruction manual, not anywhere in the actual game.

[@NintendoComplete]

Yeah, Ultra was always pulling bs like that in the manuals.

[@ElZorroHonesto]

@@NintendoCompleteAll of Konami was like that back then. People like to trot out the old copypasta about disrespecting the original Japanese creators' intentions, but until the person who wrote the manuals is found and interviewed, I don't think there was any sort of actual malicious intent behind it. Also, yes, the MSX2 original has an official English translation that I think was only available in Europe, where the MSX and MSX2 were very popular. It's so bad of a translation that I only discovered Schneider's radio frequency by complete accident (the part where Big Boss tells you about a resistence member who's trying to talk to you was rendered as "SOMEONE MUST BE WAITING !!"). The NES one is actually understandable beyond the grammatical errors. But better translations have been made since, officially and unofficially, so that's all moot now.

[@YukaTakeuchiFan]

@@ElZorroHonesto Honestly, I think a lot of it was that there simply wasn't any communication - or at least only very limited communication - between the Japanese and whatever other branches they were working with during the NES era. That is to say, I don't think it was so much about disrespecting the original Japanese creators' intentions so much as it was I honestly think they literally didn't know what those intentions WERE outside of maybe a couple of companies. You have to remember that localization was in its absolute infancy back then, and even in the SNES era, having ONE localizer taking care of entire RPG scripts under a combination of a hellish time crunch (one or two months max in most cases), a near-complete lack of context in the text dumps they were given, and uncertainty regarding what trouble they may or may not run into with NoA's content policies of the time - that wasn't even slightly out of the ordinary. I imagine it was even worse in the NES era, where I get the suspicion that the guys making the manuals weren't given more than the gameplay basics to work with, may well have not had the means to play the actual games for context, and GOOD FREAKING LUCK translating the Japanese manual if your boss is demanding you mention the story of the game (because who the hell knew Japanese back then, and I'm only half-joking; Japanese is REALLY bloody hard to translate properly and I doubt the tiny teams of the time had a lot of options there), at which point I wouldn't have been surprised if the guys doing this stuff for Ultra just threw up their hands and put something together that seemed plausible from the screenshots and game information, that might sound interesting enough for the NA children who probably didn't read a word of it regardless. I do wonder if I'm right regarding any of that, but it's been thirty-plus years since what was almost assuredly just a short little gig for a bunch of random people who have likely long since forgotten the experience - they probably didn't have the slightest inkling how legendary some of this weirdness would become and just let it breeze on by as just another day at the work desk. Ah well.

[@luisreyes1963]

The MSX version was the "true" Metal Gear game. It had features the NES version lacked, including the Metal Gear as the next to final battle.

[@ChrisVideoNet]

Wait a minute. This is the first time you played through Metal Gear. I remember looking though this ad for months waiting to get this game.

[@darkerfalcon3747]

*SNAKE? SNAKE!? SNAAAAKE!*

[@CoolCat-ci1zs]

YOU HEAR ME?

[@tuxysmagicaljukebox5431]

I had no idea you could use the trcvr to ask about items after getting them until seeing this.

[@msoto08]

Neither did I. Great video!

[@GamingWithDrew]

Say what you will about the NES port of Metal Gear, but the soundtrack is excellent and imo superior to the source material regardless of Kojima's opinion.

[@danalong1237]

It was composed by Kazuki Muraoka, who went on to compose music for Metal Gear Solid for the PS1.

[@GamingWithDrew]

@@danalong1237 Didn't know that!

[@SomeOrangeCat]

“I FEEL ASLEEP!!” ranks right up there with "You! Invaders! Get you the hot bullets of shotgun to die!"

[@CrypticStiles]

Should "All your base are belong to us." Be there too? Lol

[@user-vg6xv4qj4c]

English is not my native language What's wrong with I feel asleep? It must be "I feel sleepy"?

[@SomeOrangeCat]

@@user-vg6xv4qj4c Yeah, its supposed to be "I feel sleepy!" or perhaps it would have worked better as a narration "He fell asleep!"

[@adamadamadam83]

"A Winner is You" from Pro Wrestling is an unforgettable one my childhood.

[@ajs510]

I loved this game as a kid, and watching this playthrough makes me realize why I never actually finished it myself. The cards man...the nonstop trying to figure out which cards open which doors all.the.time. It's so annoying. I completely understand requiring cards to be found in order to progress through the game without skipping ahead but for the love of God...make the new card take the old card's place and have them be universal.

[@John_Wood_]

I have been trying to remember the name of this game for years. Great to see a walkthrough.

[@volvoguy804]

1:34:22 Thank you for this. Went back the way I came and a certain trap door was impossible to get around coming back.

[@JuraIbis]

A simpler time where the game was about infiltration and covert operations, not about psychic beings being a possy of superpowered vilains ala Dragon Ball Z.

[@cormano64]

You could see in the original game how Kojima wanted it to be like this from the get go, though. The MSX (much like the NES) didn't have that much space for text alongside the graphics and logic, but you can still see the cheese in the bosses' intros.

[@speedwagon1824]

Simple doesn't mean good

[@sammmm87]

​@speedwagon1824 you're living proof!

[@josephlytle1436]

2:18 AVGN: “You Son of a Bitch, the enemies respawn when you use an item!”

[@NintendoComplete]

Haha they also do when you put away your binoculars. It's a total pia.

[@YukaTakeuchiFan]

@@NintendoComplete Clearly, while you were using the binoculars, enough time passed for them to change guard shifts. They just skipped the time lag for the sake of gameplay. (Yes, I know it's really because the NES and most games of that era had object permanence skill levels akin to particularly stupid babies.)

[@maxacorn]

this game was the first 3 nes games i ever owned (the other two was RC PRO-AM and super mario/duckhunt/track and field collection). it was jank. pure, early nes jank.

[@TheThrill100]

Literally smokin' that Big Boss pack after the final battle

[@Mgpalau1]

I know this game by heart... it is something I learned from beginning to finnish since childhood... You forgot to open the door where Schneider is about to tell you the identity of Big boss.. it is the door next to coward duck, opened with Card No. 1

[@Tealtown408]

Is there a way to save the game so I don't have to keep starting st the beginning?

[@user-vg6xv4qj4c]

​@@Tealtown408by the nes emulator, save states

[@Xx1SailorScoutxX]

I never realized Big Boss was a chatterbox

[@demonofelru3214]

I don't care what anyone says I like this version and have since I was a kid! Saving for later!

[@SebastianJung422]

Awesome Video from you 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@kjjjjjhhh]

Why I like watching these games? Because it does not need more effort, time and waiting to play it , simple game

[@RJ_MacReady]

I like big boss's speech at the end....excuse me Venom Snake.

[@VideoGaming4U]

Never could beat this

[@jonathanjoestar_real]

Gotta be honest, I still find the codec calls to be amazing, def makes you feel like

[@LunaTheWolf243]

Самая лучшая игра про снейка первая часть я и сам помню как то прходил это но это очень сложно правда тут но я уважаю тебя ты отлично играешь

[@NintendoComplete]

Thanks!

[@BrunoVentura524]

How could you keep track of where you are and where to go back in the day? Did the game come with a printed map like GTA in ps1?

[@cormano64]

I understand if for some reason it's not viable, but is there a chance you'd play the original MSX one?

[@NintendoComplete]

Hmm... 😉

[@NintendoComplete]

Here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h4fUi2ePgrtlrac

[@krunk9790]

I dont think allot of people know this is the very 1st Metal Gear out ever

[@sarcophegus]

actually it wasn't, the MSX version was before this one, the NES one is a slightly improved version.

[@maynardbronk1438]

I was too young for this game when I played it. Then when I tried playing it later in life, I needed the damn map, and didn’t have it anymore. Even played it through with a buddy and without the map we were both stumped. To this day have haven’t beaten it. I should try it now.

[@user-dd6id9bn1e]

One of my favourite games 👍🏻

[@joshuadickey4894]

I could never figure out the jungle maze. I had the compass but couldnt get back to the area where Snake was locked up earlier.

[@LennyLeonard]

Remember seeing an ad for Metal Gear on the back cover of a comic book.

[@SamtheBravesFan]

Its funny: I like the music on this version better. Maybe it's just because I played it first, but I love the jungle and building themes.

[@rcblazer]

For some reason, I remember being able to hold up patrolling guards in Metal Gear on NES. It's possible I am thinking of some other game though, or it could just be the Mandela Effect.

[@starkilla6499]

As a kid I never went back to Dr. P. No wonder why I couldn’t blow up the supercomputer. Eventually I found the way into Big Boss’s room.

[@beer3014889]

A well preformed playthrough

[@bobobandy9382]

Nice one!

[@briandoile5011]

Loved this game as a kid. Took me ages to get past the dang dog at the very beginning. Once I finally did, the game opened up and I had a blast playing it. I don't think I ever did beat it though. Only got to play when we rented the console on a few weekends here and there. Blockbuster was my only way of playing it. LOL

[@Frogmood]

the phrase "I feel asleep" is honestly so powerful

[@carlosarturorenotsalazar2857]

Buen juego manito exelente

[@Angie2343]

Who the hell goes around punching dogs?!

[@SebastianJung422]

It's just a game

[@Angie2343]

I know, @@SebastianJung422 .

[@xxHUNGRY4THETRUTHxx]

Bayou Billy & a couple of Bad Dudes.

[@NintendoComplete]

Rockin' kats.

[@YukaTakeuchiFan]

The Ninja Baseball Bat Men did, but in fairness, the dogs just walked up and started blasting like jerks. >:3

[@kadel300]

I've played this game through dozens of times, and I legit had no idea there were so many interactions with Big Boss on the receiver!

[@shawnperry4455]

Watching this game being played is almost comical. Video games have come a loooooong way 😂😂😂😂 still one of my favorites though!!

[@kyosukeshidou1370]

I watch my cousin play this when I was 6 .. now im 26 and my cousin no longer a gamer since he's a busy married man.. I have no idea that he played a title that is now one of the famous Title ever , Metal Gear

[@Alien_isolationist]

I think the tank is where I got stuck at, I def remember that though

[@solidsnake58]

You can use the cigarettes at the end? Never knew that!😮

[@Morpheus776]

the best metal gear game. simple as

[@cormano64]

Troll harder.

[@simonmejia6896]

I FEEL ASLEEP!!

[@matiasvicente8253]

Juegazo nunca podría pasarlo

[@themangomanjuice]

Very cool.

[@Leandro_53]

I've played this game before and I never beat it because it's hard

[@imgonnagogetthepapersgetth8347]

25:09 OMG!! i NEVER REALIZED the transmitter was tracking the weapons! LOL!!! When I was a kid, we just thought it was a "nothing".

[@IHXnumber1]

This is the original metal gear. Outer heaven should be remade no joke!!!!!!

[@spoonshiro]

Maybe not the best version of Metal Gear but it's a lot of fun regardless.

[@Azuris190]

I am playing these days through Metal Gear, the MSX Port from Gog, it is funny to compare it with you Video. Some Areas are ported straight, some are new or turned down.

[@trippnorris2599]

Uh oh the truck have started to move lol

[@jonathanjoestar_real]

300 years from now people will still be confused on the metal gear storyline

[@srujan00]

I wanted to watch the whole video, but I feel asleep.

[@dr.richtofen1015]

It’s crazy to know that big boss is venom snake from MGSV

[@paulstolp6350]

Greatest music ever

[@CH-uk1il]

Well in five days, The Master Collection releases with this game included. Can't wait to play those and torture my self with this one.

[@naviskywalker]

Can't believe this game happened after Phantom Pain..

[@marcusredwine9918]

Diana is in the shower.. oh Diana is out shopping! Oh Diana is taking a nap 😂

[@TheKiller92272]

This NES port may not be good but it is at least playable

[@Info-ih9og]

Wasn't there a part where you shoot missiles through a little maze to destroy the metal gear?

[@satthan2082]

Any hints about the maze at 1:23:58? Or is it just like the maze at 1:35:02, with absolutely no hints. I completed the game by going from the 1:35:02 door, through the dark room with the holes, without using a light. It was truly an unforgettable experience. The giant computer cannot be destroyed if Dr Pettrovich's daughter is not rescued, but it is impossible to find her without knowing how to solve the maze 1:23:58

[@ZoeMuller80]

Fun fact if you randomly type password theres a chance you guess it right

[@fictionalmediabully9830]

One of the most shoddily coded games I've played. After a certain point during my playthrough, enemies kept hunting me down even though they shouldn't know I'm sneaking around. Not worth playing unless you get a kick out of severe NES jank.

[@CrypticStiles]

Wasn't this game's Big Boss actually Venom Snake?

[@nguyenvanminh5037]

1:24:05 Can u tell me the direction where to go there?

[@jonathanjoestar_real]

I wanna see the first 2 games remade in 3d.

[@ld6782]

idk, maybe because I wasn't in NES generation, but the series REALLY benefited from the Playstation 1

[@Sayajin3321]

1:46:11 Crazy how everything I did in MGSV was erased in 8 bit 30 years before I even did it.

[@cantsuggestareasonablename9101]

Well it’s not as bad as peace walker though , your own metal gear gets destroyed and with it your hard working base , at least in mgsv you created something that impacted the lore

[@Gitfiddle]

Looking back the game is just so realistic. You get dropped off for a missions with no weapons, no food, and no information. Totally realistic…. 😂

[@jeffreysegismundo4937]

wow secrets revealed!!!

[@Titan-im7op]

🔥🔥🔥💪🎮❤

[@travis_mitchell]

Playing the game myself currently, And while it’s slightly annoying realizing I’m only about 14 minutes through it, It’s even more annoying to see there’s at list 6 more data cards to look forward to.

[@markhovscrch4050]

My first MG experience I play on NDS Lite using GBA multi cart 64 in 1 wayback 2013 never beaten the cart have save function manually but don't work because doesn't have battery + 1 and half battery life of NDS lite

[@CultOMe]

I don’t understand why this is not the version on the metal gear solid collection.

[@damacattack8434]

The NES games are part of the Master Collection.

[@i_nano9525]

1:44:08 i explosive that whole computer by 20 explosive and it won’t disappear what i do?