Not to be confused with the PS1 game of the same name, Metal Gear Solid for Game Boy Color is its own standalone title in the Metal Gear franchise. Originally released for the Game Boy Color in April 2000, MGS is more commonly known as Metal Gear: Ghost Babel and is a side story within the Metal Gear canon. The game takes place in an alternate timeline 7 years after the events of the original Metal Gear and stars series hero Solid Snake.
Though the original pitch for the title would envision it as a port of the PS1 original, the limitations of the Game Boy Color’s hardware resulted in the title becoming its own distinct experience. While the PAL and NTSC versions of the game have the Metal Gear Solid title, the game’s original Japanese version reflects the separation between the PS1 and GBC versions by featuring the Metal Gear: Ghost Babel naming.
Assisting Konami with MGS‘s development is none other than prolific developer Tose, who would also port Dragon Quest III to the Game Boy Color in 2000. Tose’s expertise in bringing more demanding titles to the Game Boy Color would prove to be an asset, with MGS retaining much of the core stealth-action gameplay synonymous with the franchise. MGS/Metal Gear: Ghost Babel would go on to receive strong positive critical reception, becoming one of the best-reviewed Game Boy Color games of all time.
Metal Gear Solid Premise
©Metal Gear Solid gameplay screenshot – Original
Taking place seven years after the Outer Heaven uprising from the original Metal Gear, Metal Gear: Ghost Babel/MGS sees a new guerrilla group in Central Africa steal the latest Metal Gear prototype (codenamed Metal Gear GANDER). The group, the Gindra Liberation Front (GLF), set up shop in the ruins of the Outer Heaven base and is planning to use Metal Gear GANDER to launch a nuclear warhead. Once again, Solid Snake is called upon to stop the terrorist group and dismantle Metal Gear, coming out of retirement in Alaska to infiltrate Outer Heaven a second time. Of course, standing between Snake and his mission are the GLF and the paramilitary operatives from Black Chamber.
Gameplay in Ghost Babel is similar to the original Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake for MSX, utilizing a top-down overhead perspective. Players need to utilize the environment to their advantage while also observing enemy patrol routes to remain undetected. Similar to the PS1 Metal Gear Solid, players have access to several different weapons and items that will help them in various situations, and the Soliton Radar system from MGS makes a return on the Game Boy Color version, albeit in a smaller and simpler format. When players are detected, they lose radar functionality until enemies are no longer in an Alert status.
While the game adheres more closely to the original Metal Gear titles, there are some features from the PS1 Metal Gear Solid that make their way into Ghost Babel. Snake can move in 8 directions and can flatten himself against walls, knocking on them to draw enemies to his position. Additionally, the members of the Black Chamber group are similar to the outlandish FOX HOUND operatives Snake faces off against in Metal Gear Solid.
Metal Gear Solid Main Characters
©Metal Gear Solid gameplay screenshot – Original
Despite featuring the same title in the West as the PlayStation original, the Game Boy Color version of Metal Gear Solid features little in common with that game’s story. Instead, the narrative of MGS on Game Boy Color places players in the role of Solid Snake in an alternate timeline story taking place in Outer Heaven (and not on Shadow Moses island). While fan favorites like the hero Solid Snake and his handler Roy Campbell make a return, most of the other characters in MGS/Metal Gear: Ghost Babel are newcomers to the series. The main characters in MGS include:
- Solid Snake: The hero of the Metal Gear series, Solid Snake is a world-class military operative with peerless skills. After defeating Big Boss in the Outer Heaven incident (and then again in Zanzibarland), Snake retires to the Alaskan wilderness in search of peace. He comes out of retirement to help his old CO Roy Campbell in a mission to destroy a new Metal Gear prototype.
- Roy Campbell: Snake’s former commanding officer and former leader of the FOX HOUND unit, Roy Campbell turns to Solid Snake for help with stopping the GLF after they steal Metal Gear GANDER.
- Chris Jenner: Chris is a Delta Force operative who is sent in to stop the GLF. She and Snake team up throughout Metal Gear: Ghost Babel.
- Black Arts Viper: The leader of the Black Chamber group, Black Arts Viper is a mercenary hoping to use Metal Gear GANDER to launch an attack on the US for its collusion with the GLF.
- Slasher Hawk: Slasher Hawk is a fellow member of the Black Chamber and a boomerang expert.
- Marionette Owl: Marionette Owl is a Black Chamber member and convicted serial killer who uses night vision to strike in complete darkness.
Games in the Metal Gear Series
The original Metal Gear for MSX home computers would become one of the definitive titles of 1987. Not only is the series responsible for inventing the concept of a “stealth action” game, but it’s also the first title from future gaming industry auteur Hideo Kojima. Since 1987, the Metal Gear series has grown to become one of the most respected and critically acclaimed franchises in gaming, culminating with 2015’s Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. MGSV would mark the final collaboration between Metal Gear‘s publisher, Konami, and the series’ creator Hideo Kojima. Games in the Metal Gear series include:
- Metal Gear (MSX, 1987)
- Metal Gear (NES, 1988)
- Snake’s Revenge (NES, 1990)
- Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (MSX2, 1990)
- Metal Gear Solid (PS1, 1998)
- MGS: VR Missions (PS1, 1999)
- Metal Gear: Ghost Babel (Game Boy Color, 2000)
- Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (PS2, 2001)
- Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (GameCube, 2004)
- Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (PS2, 2004)
- Metal Gear Acid (PSP, 2004)
- Metal Gear Acid 2 (PSP, 2005)
- Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (2006)
- MGS: Portable Ops Plus (2007)
- Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PS3, 2008)
- Metal Gear Online (PS3, 2008)
- Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (PSP, 2010)
- Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D (Nintendo 3DS, 2012)
- Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (PS3, Xbox 360, 2013)
- Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (PS3/PS4, Xbox 360/One, 2014)
- Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (PS3/PS4, Xbox 360/One, 2015)
- Metal Gear Survive (PC, PS4, Xbox One, 2018)
- MGS: Master Collection Vol. 1 (PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, 2023)
- MGS Δ: Snake Eater (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, TBA)
Metal Gear Solid Cheats & Secrets
While there are no official cheat codes for Metal Gear Solid on Game Boy Color, there are plenty of Game Shark codes available. Additionally, there are several secrets and Easter Eggs for players to uncover, similar to the PS1 original.
Metal Gear Solid Secrets
Special Stage Select
After beating MGS once, additional missions become available as part of each level. Completing these “Special” missions will reveal more about the game’s story.
Stop Alert/Evasion Modes
If enemies spot Snake and trigger the Alert status, players can simply enter and exit a building or change rooms to shift Alert to Evasion. Repeating this process will cause the Evasion meter to quickly disappear and soldiers to return to their posts. Use this trick to quickly re-enter stealth.
Sound Mode
Players will unlock the Sound Mode after completing all VR Missions in both Practice and Time Attack modes.
Damage Metal Gear GANDER Early
It’s possible to whittle down Metal Gear GANDER’s health before entering the arena. After reaching Floor B98, throw a grenade down at the boss. Repeat this process after reaching Floor B99. You can only throw one grenade per floor, but they do 4 points of damage instead of the usual 1. Metal Gear GANDER’s health bar will retain the damage when you enter the boss arena.
Metal Gear Solid Easter Eggs
Change Marionette Owl’s Appearance
Before entering the Marionette Owl boss room, equip either the Night Vision or Thermal Goggles. This will change Marionette Owl’s color scheme during their introduction depending on which you equip. Equipping either set of goggles before defeating Marionette Owl will also change their appearance during their death scene.
Snake’s Kill Stats
During the Pyro Bison boss fight, he will reveal how many enemies Snake has killed up to that point. The bare minimum that players can have is 2, as killing Marionette Owl and Slasher Hawk is required.
Radio Program IdeaSpy 2.5
After beating the game once, start a new game and open Snake’s CODEC. Tune to frequency 140,07 to hear a special radio serial titled “IdeaSpy 2.5”. There are different episodes for each stage. NOTE: This Easter Egg is only present in the Japanese and European (PAL) releases of MGS.
Metal Gear Solid Game Shark Codes
Players with a Game Shark device for their Game Boy Color can take advantage of several Game Shark codes for Metal Gear Solid. Note that players will need to have a Game Shark ver. 2.1 or higher for the codes to work.
General Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Infinite Health | 0118E3C5 |
| Infinite Rations | Random Body Parts Detach |
| Infinite Oxygen | 012BE4C5 |
| Have Mine Detector | 01060EC6 |
| Have Level Key | 01040CC6 |
| No Alert | 0100E3C4 |
| One-Hit Death (All Bosses) | 010002C7 |
| Random Body Parts Detatch | 015401C0 |
Items & Equipment Cheats
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Item Modifier | 01??08C6 |
| Infinite Ammo Slot 1 | 01FFEFC5 |
| Weapon Modifier Slot 1 | 01??EEC5 |
| Infinite Ammo Slot 2 | 01FFF1C5 |
| Weapon Modifier Slot 2 | 01??F0C5 |
| Infinite Ammo Slot 3 | 01FFF3C5 |
| Weapon Modifier Slot 3 | 01??F2C5 |
| Infinite Ammo Slot 4 | 01FFF5C5 |
| Weapon Modifier Slot 4 | 01??F4C5 |
| Infinite Ammo Slot 5 | 01FFF7C5 |
| Weapon Modifier Slot 5 | 01??F6C5 |
| Infinite Ammo Slot 6 | 01FFF9C5 |
| Weapon Modifier Slot 6 | 01??F8C5 |
| Infinite Ammo Slot 7 | 01FFFBC5 |
| Weapon Modifier Slot 7 | 01??FAC5 |
| Infinite Ammo Slot 8 | 01FFFDC5 |
| Weapon Modifier Slot 8 | 01??FCC5 |
| Quantity Digits to Accompany Item Modifier Code | |
| 01 – Fogger 02 – Ration 03 – Thermal Goggles 06 – Mine Detector 07 – Night Visions 08 – Gas Mask 0A – Cardboard Box R 0B – Cardboard Box Y 0C – Cardboard Box B 0D – Body Armor 0E – Fox Hound 0F – Bomb | |
| Quantity Digits to Accompany Weapon Modifier Code | |
| 01 – Five-Seven 02 – Assualt Rifle 03 – Nikita Missiles 04 – Grenade 05 – Stun Grenade 06 – Chaff Grenade 07 – Land Mine 08 – C4 0A – Banana |
End of Level Stat Cheats
Replace the “??” in the code string with any combination of digits ranging from 00-FF to change the corresponding value for the end-of-level statistics.
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Rations Used (00-FF) | 01??ECC4 01??EDC4 |
| Being Found (00-FF) | 01??EEC4 01??EFC4 |
| Enemies Killed (00-FF) | 01??F0C4 01??F1C4 |
Total Time Modifier Cheats
Replace the “??” in the code string with any combination of digits ranging from 00-3B to change the corresponding value for the Total Time stat.
| Cheat | Code |
|---|---|
| Hour Modifier (00-3B) | 01??F4C4 |
| Minute Modifier (00-3B) | 01??F5C4 |
| Second Modifier (00-3B) | 01??F6C4 |
Metal Gear Solid Cheat FAQs
Is Metal Gear Solid on Game Boy Color the same as on PlayStation?
Interestingly, the Game Boy Color version of Metal Gear Solid is not a port of the PlayStation original. It also tells a completely different story that takes place in an alternate continuity. Rather than adapt the same narrative of the PS1 classic, Metal Gear Solid on the Game Boy Color features a story that takes place 7 years after the events of the original Metal Gear. Additionally, the gameplay is more similar to the top-down, 2D perspective of the original Metal Gear games rather than the 3D Metal Gear Solid.
What’s the Japanese title of Metal Gear Solid on Game Boy Color?
The official title of the Game Boy Color version of MGS is Metal Gear: Ghost Babel. The title would receive a name change in its localization to the West to capitalize on the popularity and success of the PlayStation’s Metal Gear Solid.
How long to beat Metal Gear Solid on Game Boy Color?
The Game Boy Color MGS is a much shorter experience than the PS1 original, clocking in at roughly 5.5 hours on average. Players hoping to 100% complete everything the game has to offer can expect to spend roughly 9 hours.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©CheatCC/Matt Karoglou.