The Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes footage shown at Nintendo's press conference featured fantastic graphics - definitely an improvement over MGS2.

Much of the footage shown was of Grey Fox (the ninja character) fading in and out of visibility and thrashing guards; the scene was beautifully redone. It sounds as if the same voice acting from the original was used directly. We'll have more information when we play it at the show tomorrow.

Last updated: 05/01/2003

Metal Gear has been always proven to be a hot property. Essentially selling the PS2 before it was even released, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty had captured the hype and the imagination of people years before it was even playable. On the original PlayStation, Metal Gear Solid: Tactical Espionage Action was considered a powerful killer app and was a hit with both critics and gamers. Combining compelling gameplay, an interesting plot coupled with professional voice-acting, and cinematic cutscenes, the game was an instant hit among PSX owners. Many Nintendo fans wished for the same action, but they were never offered a comparable experience on the N64.

Fast forward to the year 2003, and things have suddenly changed. A few months ago Mr. Miyamoto let it slip that there was indeed a Metal Gear Solid game in development for GameCube. Since then everyone has been wondering if this title is an entirely new game, a port of MGS2: SoL, or a remake of the original Metal Gear Solid.

The answer will probably come as a surprise. Nintendo's biggest coup from Konami stars none other than the world-renowned Solid Snake in a remake of the original Metal Gear Solid, now with the subtitle The Twin Snakes. Not only will the graphics be redone, but the gameplay will be upgraded to include all of the new features found in MGS 2. We assume this includes everything from first-person aiming to dragging bodies into lockers, plus whatever brand new features might be in the works. It has also been rumoured that the game will utilize GBA connectivity for things such as Snake's radar and Codec. While the new subtitle is a reference to the game's story, it is possible that some multiplayer features are being added. But here's the real kicker: the title is in development not in KCEJ, and not even at NCL. The team of people who have been assigned this difficult task is Silicon Knights, the creators of Eternal Darkness. Being that Silicon Knights is a second-party, it’s clear that Nintendo is putting up considerable cooperation and investment to bring Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes to the GameCube.

Graphically, the game is supposed to mirror the jump in quality that the Resident Evil remake saw, and knowing the sound aficionados at SK, MGS will probably be redone in Dolby Pro Logic II. The game is still going to be published by Konami, but the title will be featured prominently at Nintendo's press conference and booth at E3. It's understandable how much Nintendo will be pushing this title, as it marks the first time since the NES that the Metal Gear series has graced a Nintendo console.

Metal Gear Solid plays differently than most action titles. Controlling the world-famous spy Solid Snake, players are encouraged to sneak past the enemies instead of fighting. Snake has many moves and tools at his disposal, most significantly a radar that helps track enemy movement. By using this information along with his natural skills, Snake must infiltrate a supposed nuclear waste facility in effort to stop a band of terrorists from launching a nuclear weapon. By using weapons and items he finds on dead guards, or in the back of empty trucks, Snake will gather a considerable arsenal to combat the great number of opposing enemy soldiers.

Gameplay revolves around Snake avoiding soldiers by ensuring he isn't seen, heard, or caught on camera. Enemies have blind spots that can be exploited, and they can also be distracted by knocking on walls. Alternatively, you can hide behind walls and then pounce on the enemies, snapping their necks. This level of violence netted a Mature rating for the PSX original, and we can probably expect no less for the remake.

The story is a major part of the Metal Gear Solid games. A reluctant Solid Snake has been forced into helping his old commander, Jim Campbell, in turning back a terrorist threat on a nuclear waste disposal plant. Members of FOX-HOUND, his former squad, have rebelled and are now threatening to launch a nuclear missile with the giant Metal Gear mech. Since Snake is the only one who has taken out the mechanical beast multiple times, Roy Campbell and the Pentagon essentially blackmail the old secret service agent into complying. The story is told through frequent radio conversations and real-time cut-scenes.

We’re still gathering intelligence on Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes. Expect hands-on impressions and plenty of commentary from Silicon Knights president Denis Dyack at E3.