FAQ

1999. Four years after the first game.

Yes.

Metal Gear Solid on the PS1 makes frequent references to this game as being Snake's mission prior to Shadow Moses. This game was set in 1999, 6 years before the Shadow Moses incident.

This game was originally released on the MSX2 in Japan back in 1990 near the end of the system's lifecycle. Good luck finding an original copy, it's extremely rare. BUT the games were re-released on the second disc of MGS3: Subsistence for the PS2 and they were officially translated to English. Apart from a few character name changes and character artwork the game is the exact same as the MSX2 1990 version, although it runs a bit faster.

Metal Gear 2 is also featured on MGS: HD Collection for PS3/360 and MGS: The Legacy Edition for PS3.

No. It's a common misconception that Big Boss tells Snake in Zanzibar Land that he is his father. In fact, it's never stated anywhere in the series when Big Boss tells him. Whilst it makes sense for Big Boss to have told him before their final battle, it's never actually confirmed that he did.

Now, you're going to say "But it states it in MGS1! When Snake is talking to Naomi in the prison cell". This is not the case, this quote is taken out of context. Let's read it again:

"Snake: I don't have any family. No wait, there was a man who said he was my father...

Naomi: Where is he?

Snake: Dead. By my own hand.

Campbell: Big Boss.

Naomi: What!? Big Boss!? I had no idea.

Campbell: There was no way you could. It happened in Zanzibar 6 years ago. Only Snake and I know the real truth of what happened there."

Basically, Snake and Campbell state Big Boss is his father and that he killed him. Naomi then states she had no idea then Campbell says that it (Snake killing Big Boss) happened 6 years ago in Zanzibar. Now if you believe "it" refers to Big Boss telling Snake that he is his father then why would Naomi straight after then ask:

"Naomi: So, is it true? Was Big Boss really your father?

Snake: That's what he said. That's all I know.

Naomi: And you were able to kill him, knowing that?

Snake: Yeah."

All we can gather from this conversation is that Snake killed Big Boss in Zanzibar, whilst knowing that Big Boss was his father. It doesn't actually specify when Big Boss told him.

It makes more sense for Big Boss to have told him about their relationship at "Outer Heaven". During their final fight in Zanzibar Snake speaks of the nightmares he's had about Big Boss, which could be perceived as the nightmares of killing his father.