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{{short description|Fictional character from the Metal Gear series}} |
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{{DISPLAYTITLE: Big Boss (''Metal Gear'')}} |
{{DISPLAYTITLE: Big Boss (''Metal Gear'')}} |
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{{hatlink|For the player character in [[Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain]], see [[Venom Snake]].}} |
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| name = Naked Snake<br>{{small|Big Boss}} |
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| first = ''[[Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake]]'' |
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|name=Big Boss |
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| series = [[Metal Gear]] |
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| image = Big Boss MGS4 Screenshot.png |
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|caption=Promotional illustration of Big Boss for ''[[Metal Gear Solid]]'' |
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| caption = Big Boss as he appears in ''[[Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots]]'' (2008) |
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| creator = [[Hideo Kojima]] |
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| designer = [[Yoji Shinkawa]] |
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| voice = {{Collapsible list|title=[[English language|English]]|[[David Hayter]] (''[[Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater]]'', ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops]]'', ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker]]'' and ''[[Super Bomberman R]]'') |
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|artist=[[Yoji Shinkawa]] |
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|[[Richard Doyle (actor)|Richard Doyle]] (''[[Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots]]'') |
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|voiceactor='''English'''<br/>[[David Hayter]] (''[[Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater]]'', ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker]]'')<br />[[Richard Doyle (actor)|Richard Doyle]] (''[[Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots]]'')<br/>[[Kiefer Sutherland]] (''[[Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain]]'')<br/>'''Japanese'''<br/>[[Akio Ōtsuka]] (''Metal Gear Solid 3'', ''Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops'', ''Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker'' and ''Metal Gear Solid V'')<br />[[Chikao Ōtsuka]] (''Metal Gear Solid 4'') |
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|[[Kiefer Sutherland]] (''[[Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain]]'')}} |
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{{Collapsible list|title=[[Japanese language|Japanese]]| |
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|inuniverse={{Metal Gear character |
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|[[Akio Ōtsuka]] (''Metal Gear Solid 3'', ''Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops'', ''Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker'', ''Metal Gear Solid V'' and ''Super Bomberman R'') |
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|realname= John <ref>{{cite video game | title =Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater | developer =Konami Computer Entertainment Japan | publisher =Konami | date =17 November 2004 | platform =PlayStation 2 | scene = | level = | language =English | quote ='''Ocelot''': ...My name... is Adamska. And you? / '''Naked Snake''': John. }}</ref> |
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|[[Chikao Ōtsuka]] (''Metal Gear Solid 4'')}} |
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|aliases= Jack<ref>{{cite video game | title =Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain | developer =Kojima Productions | publisher =Konami | date =1 September 2015 | platform =PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC | scene =Cassette Tape: "Les Enfants Terribles" | level = | language =English | quote = }}</ref><br /> Naked Snake<br /> Vic Boss <br /> Ishmael <br /> "The Man Who Sold The World" |
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| motion_actor = {{Collapsible list|title=Various|[[Mizuho Yoshida]] (''Metal Gear Solid 3'')|[[Akio Ōtsuka]] (''Metal Gear Solid 4'')|[[Miou Tanaka]] (''Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker'')|Erik Brown (''Metal Gear Solid V'')|[[Kiefer Sutherland]] (''Metal Gear Solid V'' [facial only])}} |
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|nationality=American |
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}} |
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|affiliations= [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Outer Heaven|Outer Heaven / Zanzibar Land]] (''[[Metal Gear (video game)|Metal Gear]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake]]'') <br/> [[Special Forces (United States Army)|Green Berets]] (pre-''Metal Gear Solid 3'') <br/> [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#FOX|FOX]] and [[CIA]] (''Metal Gear Solid 3'') <br/> [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#FOXHOUND|FOXHOUND]] (''Portable Ops'') <br/> [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Cipher|Cipher]] (post-''Portable Ops'' / pre-''Peace Walker'') <br/> [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Outer Heaven|MSF]] (''Peace Walker'' and ''Ground Zeroes'') |
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{{nihongo|'''Big Boss'''|ビッグ・ボス|Biggu Bosu|lead=yes}} is a [[Character (arts)|fictional character]] from the ''[[Metal Gear]]'' series created by [[Hideo Kojima]] and developed and published by [[Konami]]. He was first introduced in the 1987 ''[[Metal Gear (video game)|Metal Gear]]'' game as the commanding officer and father of [[Solid Snake]], featuring in a twist as the game's main antagonist. He is later featured in the prequel games (starting with ''[[Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater]]'') as {{nihongo|'''Naked Snake'''|ネイキッド・スネーク|Neikiddo Sunēku}}, an American [[Special Forces (United States)|Special Forces]] Operator and decorated war hero. Political manipulations cause him to be disillusioned when facing his own [[The Boss (Metal Gear)|mentor]], and he gradually develops his own [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Outer Heaven|private mercenary company]] while growing into the original Big Boss persona and being referred to as simply {{nihongo|'''Snake'''|スネーク|Sunēku}}. |
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}} }} |
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'''Big Boss''' is one of the central characters in the ''[[Metal Gear]]'' video game series. He was introduced in the original ''Metal Gear'' games for the [[MSX#MSX2|MSX2]] as the commanding officer and subsequent nemesis of [[Solid Snake]]. He is later featured as '''Naked Snake''', the [[protagonist]] of ''Metal Gear Solid'' prequels where he is initially depicted as an American Special Forces Operator and decorated war hero until political manipulations cause him to be disillusioned and start his own [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Outer Heaven|private mercenary company]]. Big Boss's character has been praised by video game publications for his role as a villain as well for his relationship with Solid Snake. As the series' chronology progressed, his exact allegiance and motivations became increasingly complex; his first appearances are depicted as a traitor dreaming of a world of perpetual war, but subsequent appearances have revealed him to be a key figure in an ideological dispute that shaped the latter half of the twentieth century and a man whose conscience was disturbed by the attitude of leaders towards soldiers, prompting his decision to become a [[wikt:soldier of fortune|soldier of fortune]] and [[Venom Snake]]'s mental template. |
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The concept of Naked Snake was an attempt to distance him from Solid Snake, despite both being physically similar through their characterizations. He has been voiced by [[Akio Ōtsuka]] and [[Chikao Ōtsuka]] in the Japanese version, and by [[David Hayter]], [[Kiefer Sutherland]] and [[Richard Doyle (actor)|Richard Doyle]] in the English translation. Critical reception to Big Boss has been positive, due to his role as a villain and his enmity with Solid Snake. His younger persona has been praised as likeable, with critics generally enjoying the execution of his [[Character arc|character development]] in the series designed to shape him into a villainous icon. |
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In the series' Japanese versions, Naked Snake is voiced by [[Akio Ōtsuka]] while Big Boss is voiced by [[Chikao Ōtsuka]]. In the English versions, Naked Snake is voiced by [[David Hayter]] (Solid Snake's voice actor) and by [[Kiefer Sutherland]] (Venom Snake's voice actor) while Big Boss is voiced by [[Richard Doyle (actor)|Richard Doyle]]. |
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⚫ | In ''[[Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake]]'', Big Boss's visual appearance was inspired by actor [[Sean Connery]], but for the ports of the game's re-released version, the original design was replaced by [[Yoji Shinkawa]]'s design.<ref>{{cite web |author=Parish, Jeremy |title=Gear Up! A Metal Gear Retrospective |url=http://www.1up.com/features/metal-gear-retrospective?pager.offset=2&cId= |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610180934/http://www.1up.com/features/metal-gear-retrospective?pager.offset=2&cId= |archive-date=June 10, 2014 |access-date=February 18, 2012 |publisher=1UP.com}}</ref> During the making of ''[[Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater]]'', [[Hideo Kojima]] asked Shinkawa to make Naked Snake similar to Solid Snake, but with the differences that unlike Solid Snake, Naked Snake was a rookie and thus acted more naive. Shinkawa stated having no difficulties in designing Naked Snake as basically a revised version of Solid Snake. As a result, Naked Snake is virtually identical to Solid Snake from the previous ''Metal Gear Solid'' games in terms of appearance.<ref>{{cite web |author=Payton, Ryan |title=The KP Report Session 027 |url=http://mp.i-revo.jp/user.php/kp-ryan/entry/52.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703183506/http://mp.i-revo.jp/user.php/kp-ryan/entry/52.html |archive-date=July 3, 2013 |access-date=February 17, 2012 |work=Kojima Productions Report |publisher=mp.i.revo}}</ref> The love scene between Naked Snake and EVA was inspired by the first ''[[Pink Panther]]''. Kojima and Shinkawa watched the movie but the former stated it might have come different from the original version.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 1, 2004 |title=THE SNAKE EATER INTERVIEW |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/01/the-snake-eater-interview?page=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171103191232/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/01/the-snake-eater-interview?page=3 |archive-date=November 3, 2017 |access-date=January 11, 2018 |publisher=IGN}}</ref> Since the game's trailers did not state that Naked Snake was Big Boss, Kojima often gave vague answers to the character's true identity.<ref>{{cite web |author=C. Perry, Douglass |date=May 15, 2003 |title=E3 2003: Hideo Kojima Interview |url=http://ps2.ign.com/articles/402/402879p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208070916/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/402/402879p1.html |archive-date=December 8, 2010 |access-date=March 26, 2012 |publisher=IGN}}</ref> Although the ending of ''Metal Gear Solid 3'' reveals Naked Snake was given the Big Boss title, Kojima stated "he's not really the Big Boss yet". With ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker]]'', he wanted to explain how Naked Snake turned into the man who appeared in the original ''Metal Gear'' games as Solid Snake's enemy.<ref>{{cite web |author=Totilo, Stephen |date=September 25, 2009 |title=Hideo Kojima Talks Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker And How You Can Help Him |url=http://m.kotaku.com/5367724/hideo-kojima-talks-metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-and-how-you-can-help-him |access-date=March 26, 2012 |publisher=Kotaku}}</ref> |
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Naked Snake as portrayed in ''Metal Gear Solid 3'' shares the same voice actor as Solid Snake did in the first two ''Metal Gear Solid'' games, being voiced by [[Akio Otsuka]] in the Japanese version and [[David Hayter]] in the English version. Both actors would return to provide the character's voice in ''Portable Ops'' and ''Peace Walker''. The elderly version of Big Boss who appears in ''Metal Gear Solid 4'' was voiced by [[Chikao Otsuka]] (Akio Otsuka's real-life father) in Japanese and by [[Richard Doyle (actor)|Richard Doyle]] in English. Originally, Naked Snake was planned to have been voiced by [[Kurt Russell]] due to Kojima's request but the actor refused.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 26, 2016 |title=Solid Snake's longtime voice says Konami had tried to push him out before Metal Gear Solid 5 |url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/3/26/11309190/david-hayter-solid-snake-metal-gear-solid-3-5-snake-eater-phantom-pain |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407211642/https://www.polygon.com/2016/3/26/11309190/david-hayter-solid-snake-metal-gear-solid-3-5-snake-eater-phantom-pain |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |website=Polygon}}</ref> |
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⚫ | On June 6, 2013, during Konami's third annual pre-[[Electronic Entertainment Expo|E3]] show, it was announced that [[Kiefer Sutherland]] would be replacing Hayter as the character in ''Metal Gear Solid V''; Akio Otsuka was unaffected by this casting change and continued to portrayed the character in the Japanese dub. Sutherland plays the original Big Boss (who serves as the playable character in the stand-alone prologue ''Ground Zeroes''), as well as Venom Snake (a new version of the character who serves as the protagonist in the main game ''The Phantom Pain''). In addition to the voice, Sutherland also provided facial capture for the character.<ref>{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=May 30, 2013 |title=Metal Gear Solid V clip teases Snake's new voice actor |url=http://gematsu.com/2013/05/metal-gear-solid-v-clip-teases-snakes-new-voice-actor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303222100/http://gematsu.com/2013/05/metal-gear-solid-v-clip-teases-snakes-new-voice-actor |archive-date=March 3, 2016 |access-date=June 3, 2013 |publisher=Gematsu}}</ref><ref name="vg247">{{cite web |last=Staff |date=June 6, 2013 |title=Konami's pre-E3 stream: Kiefer Sutherland Playing Snake in Metal Gear Solid 5 |url=http://www.vg247.com/2013/06/06/metal-gear-solid-5-castlevania-los-2-pes-2014-to-feature-in-konamis-pre-e3-stream-tonight/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608045129/http://www.vg247.com/2013/06/06/metal-gear-solid-5-castlevania-los-2-pes-2014-to-feature-in-konamis-pre-e3-stream-tonight/ |archive-date=June 8, 2013 |access-date=June 6, 2013 |publisher=VG24/7}}</ref> Sutherland was assigned the role after a suggestion to Kojima from Hollywood producer and director [[Avi Arad]]; Kojima's reason was to "have a more subdued performance expressed through subtle facial movements and tone of voice rather than words", and that he "needed someone who could genuinely convey both the facial and vocal qualities of a man in his late 40s".<ref>{{cite web |last=Goldfarb |first=Andrew |date=June 6, 2013 |title=Kiefer Sutherland Playing Snake in Metal Gear Solid V |url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/06/06/kiefer-sutherland-playing-snake-in-metal-gear-solid-v |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007063143/http://ca.ign.com/articles/2013/06/06/kiefer-sutherland-playing-snake-in-metal-gear-solid-v |archive-date=October 7, 2015 |access-date=June 7, 2013 |publisher=IGN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kojima on Ground Zeroes |url=http://www.giantbomb.com/podcasts/kojima-on-ground-zeroes/1600-673/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131118185249/http://www.giantbomb.com/podcasts/kojima-on-ground-zeroes/1600-673/ |archive-date=November 18, 2013 |access-date=November 16, 2013 |publisher=Giant Bomb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Interview: Hideo Kojima on darker themes and phantom cigars |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/467996/interviews/interview-hideo-kojima-on-darker-themes-and-phantom-cigars/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817122624/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/467996/interviews/interview-hideo-kojima-on-darker-themes-and-phantom-cigars/ |archive-date=August 17, 2014 |access-date=June 25, 2014 |publisher=Computer and Video Games}}</ref> |
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==Appearances== |
==Appearances== |
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===Naked Snake=== |
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{{stack|{{Metal Gear chronology}}}} |
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====Main video games==== |
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⚫ | Big Boss is introduced in the original ''[[Metal Gear (video game)|Metal Gear]]'' game as the Special Forces Unit [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#FOXHOUND|FOXHOUND]]'s leader and [[Solid Snake]]'s commanding officer. He initially acts as a radio contact who provides Snake with information about mission objectives involving [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Outer Heaven|Outer Heaven]], a mercenary nation in [[South Africa]].<ref name="mg1manual">{{cite web|url=http://www.msxnet.org/gtinter/mg1remi/mg1reme.htm|title=''Metal Gear'' MSX2 version, instruction manual|year=1987|publisher=Konami|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060818123628/http://www.msxnet.org/gtinter/mg1remi/mg1reme.htm|archive-date=August 18, 2006}}</ref><ref name="mg2manual">{{cite web|url=http://www.msxnet.org/gtinter/Setting.htm|title=''Metal Gear 2'' MSX2 version, instruction manual|year=1990|publisher=Konami|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060907002228/http://www.msxnet.org/gtinter/Setting.htm|archive-date=September 7, 2006}}</ref> After Snake destroys the [[Metal Gear (weapon)#Metal Gear|TX-55 Metal Gear]], the villain confronts Snake, acting as a twist villain. The leader is defeated and Outer Heaven is destroyed,{{efn|''[[Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain]]'' [[Retroactive continuity|establishes]] that this individual is [[Venom Snake]] and not the original Big Boss.}}<ref>{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, Metal Gear|year=2005|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Big Boss''': Solid Snake! You've finally come here. Yeah, I'm Big Boss General Commandant of Foxhound. And in charge of this fortress, Outer Heaven.}}</ref> but Big Boss vows revenge.<ref>{{cite video game |title=Metal Gear |developer=Konami |platform=PS2 |quote=... can you hear me? Solid Snake... I'm not dead... Someday, I'll get even with you. Someday... We will meet again. |level=post-credits message}}</ref> He reappears in the game's sequel ''[[Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake]]'', where Big Boss has taken control of Zanzibar Land, a fortified nation in [[Central Asia]].<ref>{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake|year=2005|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Solid Snake''': Big... Boss?! / '''Dr. Madnar''': The very same! With Metal Gear and OILEX, he plots to rule the world. We cannot let the secret of OILEX fall into his hands!}}</ref> Snake confronts Big Boss once again while escaping from Zanzibar Land's detention camp, with Snake incinerating Big Boss.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake|year=2005|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Big Boss''': Even I make mistakes from time to time. Snake! This will be our final battle... Let's end this once and for all!}}</ref> |
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{{Metal Gear chronology}} |
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''[[Metal Gear |
Despite his apparent death, Big Boss features prominently in ''[[Metal Gear Solid (1998 video game)|Metal Gear Solid]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty]]'' where his DNA was revealed to have been used to create genetically-altered clones as part of the secret "Les Enfants Terribles" government project, with Solid Snake, [[Liquid Snake]],<ref name="clones">{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid|year=1998|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Liquid Snake''': There's a killer inside you... You don't have to deny it. We were created to be that way. / '''Solid Snake''': Created? / '''Liquid Snake''': Les enfants terribles... the terrible children. That's what the project was called. It started in the 1970s. Their plan was to artificially create the most powerful soldier possible. The person that they chose as the model was the man known then as the greatest living soldier in the world...}}</ref> and [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Solidus Snake|Solidus Snake]]<ref>{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty|year=2001|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Solidus Snake''': ...I'm the boss to surpass Big Boss himself...}}</ref> |
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⚫ | The [[prequel]] ''[[Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater]]'', set in 1964, depicts a younger incarnation of the character, under the codename of Naked Snake,<ref name="mgspw_naked_uniform">{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker|year=2010|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Miller''': Naked... That's exactly what you are with this uniform. The pants are the same as the jungle fatigues. Obviously, since you're exposing your bare skin, your defense and camo index are going to be low. On the plus side, it's so light you can move around quicker. / '''Naked Snake''': Good for showing off muscles, too. / '''Miller''': Hey, Snake. I heard they gave you your old code name because you used to run around with your shirt off. Is that true? / '''Naked Snake''': Don't believe everything you hear. They called me "Naked" because I went in without gear or food. I had to procure everything on site.}}</ref> as a member of the [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] special forces unit [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#FOX|FOX]] headed by Major [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Zero|Zero]].<ref>{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater|year=2005|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Zero''': Do you copy? You're already in enemy territory, and somebody might be listening in. From here on out, we'll be using codenames to refer to each other. Your codename for this mission will be Naked Snake. I'll be referring to you as Snake from now on. You are not to mention your real name.}}</ref> Snake is sent on assignment in the [[Soviet Union]] to thwart the uprising of [[GRU (Russian Federation)|GRU]] colonel [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Volgin|Volgin]], rescue weapons researcher [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Sokolov|Nikolai Sokolov]], destroy the [[Metal Gear (weapon)#Shagohod|Shagohod]] prototype, and kill [[The Boss (Metal Gear)|The Boss]] to avert a nuclear war while having a rivalry with [[Revolver Ocelot|Ocelot]] and receiving assistance from fellow spy [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#EVA|EVA]]. Snake completes his mission and kills The Boss, but learns that the defection was orchestrated by the US government and who had ordered his mentor's death to prevent war.<ref>'''EVA''': The Boss' defection was a ruse set up by the U.S. government. It was all a big drama staged by Washington so they could get their hands on the Philosopher's Legacy. And The Boss was the star of the show. They planned it so that they could get the Legacy that Colonel Volgin inherited...and destroy the Shagohod at the same time. (''Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater'') Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref><ref>'''EVA''': (...) Everything was going according to plan, but then something happened that no one could have predicted. Colonel Volgin fired an American-made nuclear warhead at Sokolov's research facility. Khrushchev demanded that the U.S. government provide proof that it wasn't involved. (...) The authorities in Washington knew that in order to prove its innocence they'd have to get rid of The Boss...and that one of their own would have to do the job. (...) That was the mission she was given. (...) She sacrificed her life and her honor for her native land. (''Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater'') Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005</ref> The political motives behind the operation do not sit well with him, especially after he is awarded the "Big Boss" title for his actions which he initially rejects, and prompts him to retire from active service.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater|year=2005|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Mr. President''': You are above even The Boss. I hereby award you the title of Big Boss.}}</ref> |
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===''Metal Gear Solid'' appearances=== |
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Big Boss's presence figures prominently in the original ''Metal Gear Solid'' games where his DNA created the genetically-altered clones from the secret "Les Enfants Terribles" government project (French for "The Terrible Children"): Solid Snake, [[Liquid Snake]],<ref name="clones">{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid|year=1998|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Liquid Snake''': There's a killer inside you... You don't have to deny it. We were created to be that way. / '''Solid Snake''': Created? / '''Liquid Snake''': Les enfants terribles... the terrible children. That's what the project was called. It started in the 1970s. Their plan was to artificially create the most powerful soldier possible. The person that they chose as the model was the man known then as the greatest living soldier in the world...}}</ref> and [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Solidus Snake|Solidus Snake]].<ref>{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty|year=2001|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Solidus Snake''': ...I'm the boss to surpass Big Boss himself...}}</ref> |
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⚫ | In ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops]]'' (dubious canonicity and not considered part of the timeline), he is still under his former codename, believing that he has yet to surpass The Boss as a warrior. Having spent six years wandering the globe, Snake finds himself involved in an armed uprising caused by [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Gene|Gene]]'s rogue FOX unit in the San Hieronymo peninsula in [[Colombia]] and learns that he has been convicted for instigating the revolt. Hoping to clear his name, Snake forms his own team of specialists, [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#FOXHOUND|FOXHOUND]], by recruiting both old allies and defecting enemy soldiers to his cause. He faces not only the members of the FOX unit, but also Metal Gear's [[Metal Gear (weapon)#Intercontinental Ballistic Metal Gear|first prototype]]. After he learns that The Boss's death had been planned all along, Snake eventually defeats Gene and obtains the funds for Army's Heaven.<ref>''Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops'', Kojima Productions (2006)<br />'''Gene''': So... You never knew. Six years ago, during Operation Snake Eater, Volgin launched an American nuclear missile at Sokolov's research lab. This caused a change in plans, and the U.S. government had to assassinate its own operative, The Boss, to prove its innocence. And you were the assassin, Snake. / ''(Naked Snake is speechless)'' / '''Gene''': Do you really think Volgin committed that terrible crime of his own will? / '''Naked Snake''': What? / '''Gene''': It was all a setup from the very beginning. Volgin launching the nuke... The Boss' death... Even your mission in Groznyj Grad, Snake! It was all the work of your country and a single, deviously cunning strategist. / '''Naked Snake''': You're saying it was all a setup? By who!? / '''Gene''': The Boss gave up her life, even if someone else willed it. She sacrificed her own life for her calling. It was a noble act. / '''Naked Snake''': Answer me! Who set it up?!</ref> |
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[[Image:MGS3DS CQC.jpg|left|thumb|Naked Snake as seen in ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater]]'' restraining with CQC.]] |
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⚫ | The [[prequel]] ''[[Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater]]'' depicts a |
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⚫ | ''[[Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots]]'', set years after ''Metal Gear Solid'' and ''Metal Gear Solid 2'', reveals that Big Boss and Zero were divided over how to realize The Boss's final will: a world where soldiers are free to choose their own fights on their own terms, and not at the whim of a government. Big Boss initially sided with Zero before being discouraged Zero interpreting the will as imposing order and control over the world. Big Boss further despises his role as a figurehead since Zero's vision places no value on loyalty to ideals and people, which The Boss treasured above all else. Big Boss ultimately leaves when he learns that his own DNA was used for the "Les Enfants Terribles" project. He later stages the coup d'état with Outer Heaven and Zanzibar Land against Zero's organization.<ref name="lesenfants">{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots|year=2008|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Big Mama''': "Give birth to Big Boss." To realize this, I asked to serve as the surrogate mother... And was more than happy to carry you in my womb. I loved him. Nine months later, I gave birth to two Big Bosses... [[Solid Snake|You]], and [Liquid Snake]. [...] Determined to oppose Zero and his plans, Big Boss broke away from the Patriots.}}</ref> Big Boss survived Zanzibar Land and was placed in an artificially induced coma with his genetic code used for an ID recognition system, the use of which allows access to the [[Artificial intelligence|AIs]] that make up [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#The Patriots|the Patriots]]. His body is recovered and reconstructed using parts from the bodies of both Liquid and Solidus, and he awakens from his coma after the fall of the Patriots' AIs. Big Boss appears before Old Snake with the elderly catatonic Zero to reveal the truth about the Patriots, before shutting off Zero's [[life support]] system, killing the latter. He comes to terms with his feelings regarding The Boss, and reconciles with his son before dying from exposure to the new strain of [[FOXDIE]] virus.<ref>{{cite video game |title=[[Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots]] |developer=[[Kojima Productions]] |publisher=[[Konami]] |date=<!--INCOMPLETE-->2008 |platform=[[PlayStation 3]] |quote='''Big Boss''': Ever since the day [[Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater|I killed The Boss... with my own two hands...]] I... was already dead.}}</ref> |
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⚫ | ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops]]'' |
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In ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker]]'', set after ''Metal Gear Solid 3'' and ''Portable Ops'', Naked Snake establishes the mercenary force Militaires Sans Frontières with [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Master Miller|Kazuhira "Kaz" Miller]]. He intends to use MSF to live out The Boss's final will. Student [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Paz|Paz Ortega Andrade]] and Professor [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Zadornov|Vladimir Zadornov]] seek to hire MSF to remove [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Hot Coldman|Coldman]]'s CIA Peace Sentinel unit that has established bases in [[Costa Rica]]. Snake reluctantly accepts the mission, to which the MSF takes over an offshore research platform in the Caribbean as a "Mother Base" in a bid to expand the group's capabilities. Snake comes to learn about the true purpose of Coldman's [[Metal Gear (weapon)#Peace Walker|Peace Walker]] prototypes and accepts his Big Boss identity.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker|year=2010|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Naked Snake''': I won't make the same choice as her. My future's going to be different. / '''Miller''': Then... / '''Naked Snake''': Yeah, that's right. From now on, call me Big Boss.}}</ref> Big Boss has [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Huey|Huey Emmerich]] create [[Metal Gear (weapon)#Metal Gear ZEKE|Metal Gear ZEKE]] as a weapon to defend his interests before Zadornov makes several escape attempts and is killed in self-defense while Paz takes control of ZEKE which Big Boss defeats and continues his operations with MSF. ''[[Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes]]'', set in 1975, sees Big Boss sent to rescue Paz and ally [[Chico (Metal Gear)|Chico]] from a U.S. Naval prison facility in Cuba, believing that Paz can be converted to MSF's cause to reveal more about Cipher (a precursor to the Patriots). However, the [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#XOF|XOF]] paramilitary force led by [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Skull Face|Skull Face]] attacks the Mother Base, resulting in injuries which put Big Boss in a coma. ''[[Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain]]'', set in 1984, shows Big Boss awaken in [[Cyprus]]. Venom Snake acts as his doppelgänger/phantom (see below) for his operations while Big Boss works elsewhere on the true Outer Heaven's development.<ref name="tpp_doublethink">{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain|developer=Kojima Productions|quote='''Ocelot''': We've been busy over the last nine years. His altered state of consciousness has helped us implant powerful suggestions through induced hypnogogia. He's experienced all your missions on record, and shares all your knowledge and experience. To make him believe that he is the one true Big Boss. No one around him will doubt that he's the Big Boss they know. So is he the real Big Boss or a stand-in? What does that mean to him? Nothing. The human brain is capable of many illusions. Of pain, of the future. What happens from here depends on his skill. But you can vouch for that. / '''Big Boss''': "He was always the best man we had. But..." / '''Ocelot''': "Nine years ago in that helicopter, he threw himself between you and the blast. In that moment, the man you knew died. He died protecting you. And now, by becoming you, he protects you again. This is just a detour in his journey to Hell. And don't forget it's what he wanted. He's in his Dog Days now. It's not just him. We'll be putting the people in this hospital in the line of fire. They'll be your shield, and a necessary diversion. To buy us some time."|level=Truth Records - Doublethink}}</ref><ref name="ign">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/10/e3-2013-metal-gear-solid-v-coming-to-xbox-one|title=E3 2013: Metal Gear Solid V Coming To Xbox One - IGN|date=June 10, 2013|publisher=ign.com|access-date=July 11, 2014|archive-date=April 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413193811/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/10/e3-2013-metal-gear-solid-v-coming-to-xbox-one|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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⚫ | ''[[Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots]]'' |
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====Other video games and media==== |
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Naked Snake's past again serves as the scenario in ''[[Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker]]'' after he and his business partner [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Master Miller|Kazuhira "Kaz" Miller]] established the mercenary force Militaires Sans Frontières (French for "Soldiers Without Borders") made up of expatriate soldiers recruited to his cause. He intends to use MSF to live out The Boss's final will, a world where soldiers are free to choose their own fights on their own terms, and not at the whim of a government. On Colombia's Barranquilla coast, two representatives of the Costa Rican government ([[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Paz Andrade|Paz Ortega Andrade]] and [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Vladimir Zadornov|Ramon Gálvez Mena]]) seek to hire MSF to liberate Costa Rica from [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Coldman|Coldman]]'s CIA Peace Sentinel unit that has established bases in the country. Snake accepts the mission after Gálvez hands him an audio cassette with a recording of The Boss's voice. Following Kaz's advice, the MSF takes over an offshore research platform in the Caribbean as their base of operations in a bid to expand the group's capabilities. Over the course of the story, Snake comes to learn about the true purpose of Coldman's [[Metal Gear (weapon)#Peace Walker|Peace Walker]] prototypes (Pupa, Chrysalis, Cocoon, and Peace Walker) and gradually lets go of his guilt for The Boss' death after encountering an AI replica, finally accepting his Big Boss title.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker|year=2010|developer=Kojima Productions|publisher=Konami|quote='''Naked Snake''': I won't make the same choice as her. My future's going to be different. / '''Miller''': Then... / '''Naked Snake''': Yeah, that's right. From now on, call me Big Boss.}}</ref> Later in the game, Big Boss has [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Huey|Huey Emmerich]] create [[Metal Gear (weapon)#Metal Gear ZEKE|Metal Gear ZEKE]] as a weapon to defend his interests, with no desire to use offensively. After Big Boss killed Gálvez out of self-defense, Paz pilots ZEKE to launch a nuclear strike on the Eastern Coast of the United States as part of an insurance policy if Big Boss refused to obey [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Cipher|Cipher]]. After hearing the ultimatum, Big Boss refuses and fights ZEKE in order to stop Paz. He is victorious, but ZEKE is heavily damaged, with Paz being ejected into the Caribbean Sea. After ZEKE's destruction, Kaz tells Big Boss that he was aware of the plot from the beginning, and used it to spur the growth of MSF. Big Boss and Kaz realize they'll no longer be able to be away from the outside world unless they reveal their true nature. Big Boss rejects this idea, stating that his "life shall be different from The Boss's". After this conversation, Big Boss gives a speech to the MSF soldiers, telling them that if the times demand it, they will be vigilantes, criminals and terrorists, but they will be the ones to choose their battles and their causes, not governments. |
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Big Boss appears in ''[[Snake's Revenge]]'' (a sequel to the original ''Metal Gear'' for the NES released for the western market in 1990 and developed without Kojima's involvement) as the leader of the enemy organization. Having survived the injuries he sustained in the original game as a cyborg, he fights Solid Snake as a boss prior to reaching the new Metal Gear prototype and has two forms: his human form and a fire-breathing cyborg form.{{cn|date=April 2024}} Naked Snake also appears as a playable character in ''[[Super Bomberman R]]''.{{cn|date=April 2024}} Big Boss was stated to be an inspiration for characters in the 2020 film ''[[Monster Hunter (film)|Monster Hunter]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/the-monster-hunter-movie-was-inspired-by-a-metal-gear-s-1845806302|title=The ''Monster Hunter'' Movie Was Inspired By A ''Metal Gear Solid'' Collab|first=Brian|last=Ashcroft|date=December 4, 2020|access-date=December 4, 2020|work=[[Kotaku]]|archive-date=December 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204110400/https://kotaku.com/the-monster-hunter-movie-was-inspired-by-a-metal-gear-s-1845806302|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===Venom Snake=== |
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[[File:Ground Zeroes gameplay.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Big Boss as seen in ''[[Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes]]'' avoiding a searchlight.]] |
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[[File:Venom Snake.webp|right|thumb|Venom Snake, a doppelganger of Big Boss, as he appears in ''[[Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain]]''.]] |
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Big Boss plays a central role in ''[[Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain]]''. He is on a mission to rescue a [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Chico|child soldier]] and Paz Andrade from an American [[black site]] on Cuban soil; Big Boss believes that Paz can be converted to MSF's cause. While the rescue is successful and the medic found a bomb implanted inside Paz, Paz's sacrifice to save Big Boss and the others from another bomb causes an explosive concussion wave which causes the helicopter to crash into the Caribbean Sea as MSF is destroyed by an invading [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#XOF|paramilitary force]] led by [[List of characters in the Metal Gear series#Skull Face|Skull Face]]. Big Boss comes out of his coma and poses as "Ishmael", a patient in the hospital where [[Venom Snake]] is also being treated, and aids in an escape when the hospital is attacked by Skull Face's forces. While Snake ventures into Soviet-controlled Afghanistan using the new mercenary force Diamond Dogs made from MSF's remaining forces, Big Boss stays behind the scenes to develop the true Outer Heaven.<ref name="ign">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/10/e3-2013-metal-gear-solid-v-coming-to-xbox-one|title=E3 2013: Metal Gear Solid V Coming To Xbox One - IGN|publisher=ign.com|accessdate=July 11, 2014}}</ref> |
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[[Venom Snake]], also known as Punished Snake, is a body double of Big Boss seen in ''Metal Gear Solid V''. He lost his left arm while his body has fragments of bones, teeth and a large piece of [[Shrapnel (fragment)|shrapnel]] lodged within his cerebral cortex.<ref name="tpp_ep46">{{cite video game |title=Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain |developer=Kojima Productions |quote='''Miller''': "How he's doing?" '''Doctor''': "He's stabilized, but we took too long. He's in a coma." '''Miller''': "What about him?" (nods towards the viewer) '''Doctor''': "He took some shrapnel... to the head... |level=Episode 46}}</ref> While in a coma for nine years, he's subjected to subconscious brainwashing and facial reconstruction as a mental doppelgänger who awakens in 1984 to draw attention away from Big Boss and get revenge for fallen comrades.<ref name="tpp_doublethink" /> Snake takes command of the mercenary unit Diamond Dogs with a "Mother Base" near [[Seychelles]] and engages in missions in [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-controlled [[Afghanistan]] and the [[People's Republic of Angola|Angola]]-[[Zaire]] border of [[Central Africa]] to recruit several companions against Cipher's remnants before facing off with Skull Face and the White Mamba. He would ultimately die fighting in Outer Heaven.<ref name="tpp_timeline">{{cite video game |title=Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain |developer=Kojima Productions |quote=1995 – While commanding special forces unit FOXHOUND from a position in the U.S. military, Big Boss establishes the fortified military nation 'Outer Heaven' in South Africa. The Outer Heaven Uprising occurs, but it is quashed by Solid Snake, who kills Big Boss' phantom. |level=Episode 46}}</ref><ref name="USG Story">{{cite web |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/metal-gear-solid-v-story-guide-what-happened-and-how-it-connects-to-the-rest-of-the-series |title=Metal Gear Solid V Story Guide: What Happened and How it Connects to the Rest of the Series |last=Bailey |first=Kat |work=US Gamer |date=9 September 2015 |access-date=14 March 2016 |archive-date=14 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314221053/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/metal-gear-solid-v-story-guide-what-happened-and-how-it-connects-to-the-rest-of-the-series |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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===Other appearances=== |
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Big Boss has been well-received. Game publications described Big Boss as one of the best video game villains.<ref>{{cite web|author=Jesse Lennox|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/best-video-game-villains/|title=The best video game villains of all time|website=[[Digital Trends]]|date=December 22, 2023|access-date=April 19, 2024|archive-date=April 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419104450/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/best-video-game-villains/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/videogame-villains/32.html |title=Top 100 Videogame Villains |website=IGN |author=''IGN'' staff |date=July 4, 2010 |access-date=October 20, 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309045526/http://www.ign.com/videogame-villains/32.html |archive-date=March 9, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/heroes-in-video-games/|title=The 25 best heroes in games of all-time|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|author=Rachel Weber |date=March 5, 2023|access-date=April 21, 2024 }}</ref> Jesse Schedeen of ''[[IGN]]'' found the character one of the most important characters from the franchise to the point his "influence is felt in every ''Metal Gear'' game, even if he isn't always present in the flesh".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/106/1060066p1.html |title=Boss of the Day: ''Metal Gear''{{'}}s Big Boss |website=IGN |last=Scheeden |first=Jeese |date=January 11, 2010 |access-date=July 5, 2011 |archive-date=December 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204045355/http://stars.ign.com/articles/106/1060066p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Ken Gagne of ''[[Computerworld]]'' named Big Boss as one of the most creative villains in video games, citing the complexity and importance of his betrayal of Solid Snake in the original game.<ref>{{cite web |last=Gagne |first=Ken |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/2541492/you-can-run--but-you-ll-only-die-tired--gaming-s--baddest--villains.html |title=You can run, but you'll only die tired: Gaming's 'baddest' villains |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207002607/http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9022399&pageNumber=3 |date=December 7, 2008 |archive-date=December 7, 2008 |website=[[Computerworld]] |access-date=August 20, 2022}}</ref> Naked Snake's transition to Big Boss was praised, especially in conjunction with his character development throughout the series.<ref>{{cite web |title=9 Video Game Heroes Who Turned Evil In The Sequel |date=May 2, 2016 |url=http://whatculture.com/gaming/9-video-game-heroes-who-turned-evil-in-the-sequel?page=7 |website=What Culture |access-date=August 4, 2017 |archive-date=August 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804214317/http://whatculture.com/gaming/9-video-game-heroes-who-turned-evil-in-the-sequel?page=7 |url-status=live }}</ref> Various gaming sites such as ''[[1UP.com]]'', ''[[Game Informer]]'' and ''[[Kotaku]]'' placed his character as one of the worst fathers in video games due to his poor relationship with Solid Snake and the attempts to murder his own son.<ref>{{cite web |title=Father Knows Best: The Best and Worst Fathers in Video Games |website=Kotaku |url=http://m.kotaku.com/5297186/father-knows-best-the-best-and-worst-fathers-in-video-games |date=June 21, 2009 |last=Glasser |first=AJ |access-date=August 17, 2011 |archive-date=July 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704152751/http://kotaku.com/5297186/father-knows-best-the-best-and-worst-fathers-in-video-games |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Gaming's Crappiest Fathers |magazine=Game Informer |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/09/09/gamings-crappiest-dads.aspx |date=September 9, 2010 |last=Sharkey |first=Scott |access-date=July 18, 2011 |archive-date=August 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819120712/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/09/09/gamings-crappiest-dads.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Top 5 Crappiest Videogame Dads |website=1UP.com |url=http://www.1up.com/features/top-5-crappiest-videogame-dads |date=September 9, 2010 |last=Ryckert |first=Dan |access-date=July 18, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601230558/http://www.1up.com/features/top-5-crappiest-videogame-dads |archive-date=June 1, 2012}}</ref> |
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In ''[[Snake's Revenge]]'', a non-canonical sequel to the original ''Metal Gear'' for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]] released during the same year as ''Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake'', Big Boss returns as the leader of the enemy organization, having survived the injuries he sustained in the original game by becoming a cyborg. He fights Solid Snake as a boss prior to reaching the new Metal Gear prototype and has two forms: his human form and a fire-breathing cyborg form. |
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''[[VG247]]'' writer Jeremy Parish discussed similarities and differences between Big Boss and Solid Snake as both are portrayed as protagonists with their own storylines despite being both nearly identical in their respective youth. Parish noticed Big Boss's portrayal as an enemy despite Solid Snake being his underling left a major impact on his son's characterization, especially when Kojima retconned their similarities by making Solid Snake a clone of Big Boss. When Kojima started addressing Big Boss's identity as Naked Snake, the writer noticed Big Boss was far more vulnerable despite his similarities with Solid Snake in previous games, most notably because of his passion for his mother figure, The Boss. The death of The Boss leaves Big Boss with major trauma, which would explore his transformation from a young hero into an older villain. The Boss's last words also became more impactful where Big Boss repeats the words in the end of ''Metal Gear 2''. While Solid Snake was meant to be the final hero in ''Metal Gear Solid 4'', Big Boss's sudden return in the mid-credits scenes and his interaction with his son made him "steal the spotlight". This scene is further enforced in following games which further explore the transformation from Naked Snake into the villain Big Boss, which Parish compared to the [[Darth Vader]], a ''[[Star Wars]]'' villain who became more important than the hero [[Luke Skywalker]] when the movie writers decided to explored more of the former's youth and his corruption until his transformation into Luke's enemy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/the-two-snakes-whos-the-real-hero-of-the-metal-gear-saga|website=Vg247|access-date=April 13, 2024|author=Parish, Jeremy|title=The Two Snakes: Who's the Real Hero of the Metal Gear Saga?|date=6 March 2014|archive-date=February 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207183732/https://www.vg247.com/the-two-snakes-whos-the-real-hero-of-the-metal-gear-saga|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In his initial appearances, Big Boss's visual appearance was inspired by actor [[Sean Connery]]. But for the ports of the game re-released version, the original design was replaced by [[Yoji Shinkawa]]'s design.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/metal-gear-retrospective?pager.offset=2&cId=|publisher=1UP.com|accessdate=February 18, 2012|author=Parish, Jeremy|title=Gear Up! A Metal Gear Retrospective|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140610180934/http://www.1up.com/features/metal-gear-retrospective?pager.offset=2&cId=|archivedate=June 10, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |
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⚫ | The inclusion of Naked Snake's role in ''Metal Gear Solid 3'' has also received praise from critics.<ref name="cnet">{{cite web |last=Ramsay |first=Randolph |year=2005 |title=''Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater'' Review |url=http://www.cnet.com.au/games/ps2/0,39029672,40054224,00.htm |work=C NET Australia |access-date=August 22, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829063134/http://www.cnet.com.au/games/ps2/0%2C39029672%2C40054224%2C00.htm |archive-date=August 29, 2006 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref> Prior to the game's release, Naked Snake was often called 'Solid Snake' or simply 'Snake' by critics due to his resemblance with Solid Snake, although some still were not sure about his true identity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://palgn.com.au/playstation-2/1027/metal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater-preview/ |title=''Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater'' Preview |date=February 29, 2004 |website=PALGN |access-date=July 5, 2011 |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016023240/http://palgn.com.au/playstation-2/1027/metal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater-preview/|archive-date=October 16, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/metalgearsolid3/preview_6091542.html |title=Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Updated Impressions |date=March 16, 2004 |last=Torres |first=Ricardo |website=GameSpot |access-date=July 5, 2011 |archive-date=March 19, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070319141728/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/metalgearsolid3/preview_6091542.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Benjamin Turner of ''[[GameSpy]]'' further noted that various fans started making theories about Naked Snake's identity before the game's release, as while they thought it was Solid Snake, the setting from the game made it impossible for Solid Snake to be the game's main protagonist due to their difference of years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/metal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater/532018p3.html |title=''Metal Gear Solid 3'' -- Everything We Know |last=Turner |first=Benjamin |website=GameSpy |page=3 |date=July 20, 2004 |access-date=July 5, 2011 |archive-date=October 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027063933/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/metal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater/532018p3.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Finding the revelation of Naked Snake's identity was considered by Benjamin Turner of ''GameSpy'' as "the single coolest thing Kojima could have done in ''MGS3''" because of [Naked Snake's] differences from [Solid Snake] in regards to their personality as well as because it made fans wonder how Naked Snake would become the series antagonist Big Boss.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/metal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater/532018p4.html |title=''Metal Gear Solid 3'' -- Everything We Know |last=Turner |first=Benjamin |website=GameSpy |page=4 |date=July 20, 2004 |access-date=July 5, 2011 |archive-date=October 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027063938/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/metal-gear-solid-3-snake-eater/532018p4.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite the similarities between Naked Snake and Solid Snake, Rich Stanton of ''[[Eurogamer]]'' praised how different they are from each other in terms of experience, particularly highlighting how Naked Snake looks after The Boss despite the game placing them as enemies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-30-metal-gear-solid-3-from-russia-with-love |title=''Metal Gear Solid 3'': From Russia with love |last=Stanton |first=Rich |date=August 30, 2015 |website=Eurogamer |access-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407212333/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-30-metal-gear-solid-3-from-russia-with-love |url-status=live }}</ref> Dave Meikleham of ''[[GamesRadar+]]'' placed his relationship with EVA in his top list of disastrous game romances due to how it was ruined by the two's different roles in the story.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Top 7… disastrous game romances |website=[[GamesRadar+]]|last=Meikleham |first=Dave |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/ps2/f/the-top-7-disastrous-game-romances/a-2011021895331912082/g-2005138888000000020742 |date=February 21, 2011 |access-date=July 4, 2011 |archive-date=March 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314144020/http://www.gamesradar.com/ps2/f/the-top-7-disastrous-game-romances/a-2011021895331912082/g-2005138888000000020742/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Play (UK magazine)|Play]]'' editor Nick Jones described Naked Snake's final fight against The Boss as the second best moment from the franchise, citing the emotional focus on their characters,<ref>{{cite web |title=''Metal Gear Solid'' – My Top Five Moments |website=Play |last=Jones |first=Nick |url=http://www.play-mag.co.uk/editors-blog/metal-gear-solid-%e2%80%93-my-top-five-moments/ |access-date=June 30, 2011 |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928184333/http://www.play-mag.co.uk/editors-blog/metal-gear-solid-%E2%80%93-my-top-five-moments/ |url-status=live }}</ref> while the portrayal of the character in ''Metal Gear Solid 3'' has been highlighted for making him a likeable and enjoyable character that made subsequent game appearances as a leader believable within the context of the world as a result.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=DualShockers |date=2016-02-14 |title=Who Is Your Video Game Valentine? DualShockers' Favorite Characters of All Time |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/whos-your-video-game-valentine-dualshockers-favorite-characters-of-all-time/ |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=DualShockers |language=en |archive-date=July 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705181806/https://www.dualshockers.com/whos-your-video-game-valentine-dualshockers-favorite-characters-of-all-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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⚫ | During the making of ''[[Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater]]'', [[Hideo Kojima]] asked Shinkawa to make Naked Snake similar to Solid Snake |
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Joe Dodson, writing for ''[[Game Revolution]]'', disliked Big Boss's character in ''Portable Ops'' due to his process of kidnapping and indoctrinating enemy soldiers through "confusing rants" about the idea of loyalty.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/37782-mgs-portable-ops-review |title=''Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops'' Review |last=Dodson |first=Joe |website=[[Game Revolution]] |date=December 21, 2006 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407234028/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/37782-mgs-portable-ops-review |url-status=live }}</ref> Rob Fahey of ''Eurogamer'' found that Snake remained likeable due to carrying over traits shown in ''Snake Eater,'' and praised Hayter's performance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/metal-gear-solid-portable-ops-review?page=2 |title=''Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops'' • Page 2 |last=Fahey |first=Rob |website=Eurogamer |date=January 17, 2007 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407232525/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/metal-gear-solid-portable-ops-review%3Fpage%3D2 |url-status=live }}</ref> Charles Herold of ''[[The New York Times]]'' described him as a tragic character based on the events shown in ''Snake Eater'', and with ''Portable Ops'' had been forced to face a new conflict despite retirement.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/14/technology/a-lone-warrior-takes-partners-to-save-the-world.html |title=''Metal Gear Solid Portable Ops'' bundle delivers Snake, Snake, Snaaaaake |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 14, 2006 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |last=Herold |first=Charles |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407232526/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/14/technology/a-lone-warrior-takes-partners-to-save-the-world.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Greg Kasavin of ''[[GameSpot]]'' praised the handling of the character in ''Portable Ops'' due to his interactions with his former partners from the FOX unit.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/metal-gear-solid-portable-ops-review/1900-6162832/ |title=''Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops'' Review |last=Kasavin |first=Greg |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=December 6, 2006 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407232526/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/metal-gear-solid-portable-ops-review/1900-6162832/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Jeff Haynes of ''IGN'' noted how the game presented major plot twists and exposition that would affect his characterization and lay the groundwork for important items shown later in the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/05/metal-gear-solid-portable-ops-review-2 |title=''Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops'' Review |last=Haynes |first=Jeff |website=IGN |date=December 4, 2006 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407233205/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/05/metal-gear-solid-portable-ops-review-2 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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⚫ | On June 6, 2013, during |
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Oli Welsh of ''Eurogamer'' criticized Big Boss's characterization in ''Peace Walker'' as confusing in the wider context of the series, with mixed comments being given to Hayter's performance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-review?page=2 |title=''Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker'' • Page 2 |last=Welsh |first=Oli |website=Eurogamer |date=June 8, 2010 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407215842/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-review%3Fpage%3D2 |url-status=live }}</ref> Jonathan Holmes of ''[[Destructoid]]'' enjoyed how ''Peace Walker'' further developed Big Boss's character from ''Portable Ops'' by completing his journey from lone soldier to leader and cementing him as the series icon he would become.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-177475.phtml |title=Review: ''Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker'' |last=Holmes |first=Jonathan |website=Destructoid |date=June 25, 2010 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-date=September 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919230644/http://www.destructoid.com/review-metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-177475.phtml |url-status=live }}</ref> Greg Miller of ''IGN'' also found the game's story was one of the most enjoyable and least-convoluted by focusing purely on Big Boss's emotions and his quest to discover more about his fallen mentor, The Boss,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/08/metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-limited-edition-review |title=''Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Limited Edition'' Review |last=Miller |first=Greg |website=IGN |date=June 8, 2010 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407215846/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/08/metal-gear-solid-peace-walker-limited-edition-review |url-status=live }}</ref> similar sentiments of which were shared by Randy Nelson of ''[[Engadget]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-06-11-review-metal-gear-solid-peace-walker.html |title=Review: ''Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker'' |last=Nelson |first=Randy |website=Engadget |date=June 11, 2010 |access-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407215843/https://www.engadget.com/2010-06-11-review-metal-gear-solid-peace-walker.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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⚫ | |||
Big Boss's character has been well-received with [[IGN]] having ranked him number 32 on their 2010 list of top video game villains,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/videogame-villains/32.html |title=Top 100 Videogame Villains |publisher=ign.com |author=IGN editors |date=July 4, 2010 |accessdate=October 20, 2006|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309045526/http://www.ign.com/videogame-villains/32.html|archivedate=March 9, 2012}}</ref> and as the fourth top ''Metal Gear'' villains.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/881/881015p7.html|title=Top 10 Metal Gear Villains|publisher=IGN |author=Scheeden, Jeese |accessdate=July 1, 2011}}</ref> In 2010, IGN's Jesse Schedeen found him one of the most important characters from the franchise to the point his "influence is felt in every ''Metal Gear'' game, even if he isn't always present in the flesh."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/106/1060066p1.html|title=Boss of the Day: Metal Gear's Big Boss|publisher=IGN |author=Scheeden, Jeese |date=January 11, 2010|accessdate=July 5, 2011}}</ref> ''[[Computerworld]]'' named Big Boss as one of the most creative "badass villains" in video games, citing the complexity of his betrayal of Solid Snake, fueled by Snake being his genetic heir.<ref>Gagne, Ken. [http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9022399&pageNumber=3 You can run, but you'll only die tired: Gaming's 'baddest' villains] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207002607/http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9022399&pageNumber=3 |date=December 7, 2008 }}. ''[[Computerworld]]''. Retrieved on September 16, 2008</ref> Additionally, [[GameSpot]] listed him as one of the 20 best ''Metal Gear'' bosses with focus on his importance within the series' plot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/6175700/metal-gear-20-years-of-big-bad-boss-battles |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130102173609/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6175700/metal-gear-20-years-of-big-bad-boss-battles |dead-url=yes |archive-date=January 2, 2013 |title=Metal Gear 20 Years of Boss Battles |date=July 28, 2007 |author=Dodson, Joe |publisher=GameSpot |accessdate=July 5, 2007 }}</ref> He was ranked as the 28th "coolest" video game villain by ''[[Complex (magazine)|Complex]]'' in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.complex.com/video-games/2012/11/coolest-video-game-villains-of-all-time/metal-gear-solid |title=28. Big Boss — The 50 Coolest Video Game Villains of All Time |publisher=Complex |date=November 1, 2012 |accessdate=July 21, 2013}}</ref> Naked Snake's transition to Big Boss was listed as the second hero who turned evil by What Culture with the writer finding him more interesting than Solid Snake based on his progression across Big Boss' video games.<ref>{{cite web |title=9 Video Game Heroes Who Turned Evil In The Sequel |url=http://whatculture.com/gaming/9-video-game-heroes-who-turned-evil-in-the-sequel?page=7|publisher=What Culture|accessdate=August 4, 2017}}</ref> |
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[[Jason Schreier]] of ''Kotaku'' disliked the plot twist in ''The Phantom Pain'' which revealed that the player character, Venom Snake, was not Big Boss, feeling it cheapened the emotional crux of the story and that it failed to explain Big Boss's motivations for becoming a villain.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/why-metal-gear-solid-vs-ending-was-so-disappointing-1729833383 |title=Why ''Metal Gear Solid V'''s Ending Is So Disappointing |last=Schreier |first=Jason |author-link=Jason Schreier |website=Kotaku |date=September 10, 2015 |access-date=July 2, 2020 |archive-date=July 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703032311/https://kotaku.com/why-metal-gear-solid-vs-ending-was-so-disappointing-1729833383 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''GamesRadar+'' writer David Roberts felt similarly, citing that the reveal was a "strange" ending and "a bizarre bit of fridge logic that makes less and less sense the more I think about it," believing it to make the ending of the game feel hollow. However, he felt that the customization aspect of Venom Snake was a positive aspect to the game.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |author1=David Roberts |date=2015-09-09 |title=Metal Gear Solid 5 is the best and most disappointing game of the year |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/metal-gear-solid-5-best-and-most-disappointing-game-year/ |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=[[GamesRadar+]]|language=en |archive-date=April 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429172946/https://www.gamesradar.com/metal-gear-solid-5-best-and-most-disappointing-game-year/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Conversely, it has been praised for its logic in the grander scheme of the series' timeline.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-18 |title=So, let's talk about Metal Gear Solid V's ending |url=https://www.destructoid.com/so-lets-talk-about-metal-gear-solid-vs-ending/ |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Destructoid |language=en-US |archive-date=April 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230430123040/https://www.destructoid.com/so-lets-talk-about-metal-gear-solid-vs-ending/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Samuel Roberts of ''[[PC Gamer]]'' in particular highlighted the scene revealing Venom Snake's true identity, stating the epilogue left the player with "no backstory other than the one [they]'ve just created" which removed the character's identity of Big Boss, reflecting the player's own unique experience and being "a perfect thematic match for [the] game".<ref>{{Cite news |author1=Samuel Roberts |date=2015-11-26 |title=Why MGS5's ending is one perfect moment in a bad story |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/why-mgs5s-ending-is-one-perfect-moment-in-a-bad-story/ |access-date=2024-04-15 |work=PC Gamer |language=en |archive-date=April 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429224419/https://www.pcgamer.com/why-mgs5s-ending-is-one-perfect-moment-in-a-bad-story/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The repetitive nature of the quest system in the game was highlighted as helping to show Big Boss's own lack of heroism in the game, with ''[[Vice News|VICE]]'' writer Cameron Kunzelman stating that it helped show how Big Boss was merely doing work, and wasn't going above and beyond as a hero like many perceive him as.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kunzelman |first=Cameron |date=2018-07-20 |title=Metal Gear Solid Has Always Been About The Busywork of War |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/qvmk7b/metal-gear-solid-v-war-busywork |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=[[Vice News|Vice]]|language=en |archive-date=March 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306135731/https://www.vice.com/en/article/qvmk7b/metal-gear-solid-v-war-busywork |url-status=live }}</ref> Sutherland was praised for his performance,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Juba |first=Joe |date=2015-09-01 |title=Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Review - A Legend Worth Waiting For |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/metal_gear_solid_v_the_phantom_pain/b/playstation4/archive/2015/09/01/metal-gear-solid-v-the-phantom-pain-review-game-informer.aspx |access-date=2024-04-15 |magazine=Game Informer |language=en |archive-date=October 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231026072512/https://www.gameinformer.com/games/metal_gear_solid_v_the_phantom_pain/b/playstation4/archive/2015/09/01/metal-gear-solid-v-the-phantom-pain-review-game-informer.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-25 |title=Why Kiefer Sutherland is the Snake Metal Gear Solid V deserves |url=https://www.avclub.com/why-kiefer-sutherland-is-the-snake-metal-gear-solid-v-d-1798284696 |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=The A.V. Club |language=en |archive-date=April 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230414170125/https://www.avclub.com/why-kiefer-sutherland-is-the-snake-metal-gear-solid-v-d-1798284696 |url-status=live }}</ref> though the character of Venom Snake was criticized for his lack of dialogue in game.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-04 |title=Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain: The Kotaku Review |url=https://kotaku.com/metal-gear-solid-v-the-phantom-pain-the-kotaku-review-1728728287 |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Kotaku |language=en |archive-date=January 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101103435/https://kotaku.com/metal-gear-solid-v-the-phantom-pain-the-kotaku-review-1728728287 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2015-08-27 |title=Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain review: future legend |url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/8/27/9207599/metal-gear-solid-5-the-phantom-pain-review-ps4-xbox-one-PC |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=January 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130203039/https://www.polygon.com/2015/8/27/9207599/metal-gear-solid-5-the-phantom-pain-review-ps4-xbox-one-PC |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ingenito |first=Vince |date=2015-08-24 |title=Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/08/24/metal-gear-solid-5-the-phantom-pain-review |access-date=2024-04-15 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=May 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512034148/https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/08/24/metal-gear-solid-5-the-phantom-pain-review |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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⚫ | The inclusion of Naked Snake's role in ''Metal Gear Solid 3'' has also received praise from critics.<ref name="cnet">{{cite web | |
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==References== |
==References== |
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=== Notes === |
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Revision as of 10:35, 18 May 2024
Naked Snake Big Boss | |
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Metal Gear character | |
First appearance | Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake |
Created by | Hideo Kojima |
Designed by | Yoji Shinkawa |
Voiced by |
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Motion capture | Various
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Big Boss (Japanese: ビッグ・ボス, Hepburn: Biggu Bosu) is a fictional character from the Metal Gear series created by Hideo Kojima and developed and published by Konami. He was first introduced in the 1987 Metal Gear game as the commanding officer and father of Solid Snake, featuring in a twist as the game's main antagonist. He is later featured in the prequel games (starting with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) as Naked Snake (ネイキッド・スネーク, Neikiddo Sunēku), an American Special Forces Operator and decorated war hero. Political manipulations cause him to be disillusioned when facing his own mentor, and he gradually develops his own private mercenary company while growing into the original Big Boss persona and being referred to as simply Snake (スネーク, Sunēku).
The concept of Naked Snake was an attempt to distance him from Solid Snake, despite both being physically similar through their characterizations. He has been voiced by Akio Ōtsuka and Chikao Ōtsuka in the Japanese version, and by David Hayter, Kiefer Sutherland and Richard Doyle in the English translation. Critical reception to Big Boss has been positive, due to his role as a villain and his enmity with Solid Snake. His younger persona has been praised as likeable, with critics generally enjoying the execution of his character development in the series designed to shape him into a villainous icon.
Creation and design
In Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Big Boss's visual appearance was inspired by actor Sean Connery, but for the ports of the game's re-released version, the original design was replaced by Yoji Shinkawa's design.[1] During the making of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Hideo Kojima asked Shinkawa to make Naked Snake similar to Solid Snake, but with the differences that unlike Solid Snake, Naked Snake was a rookie and thus acted more naive. Shinkawa stated having no difficulties in designing Naked Snake as basically a revised version of Solid Snake. As a result, Naked Snake is virtually identical to Solid Snake from the previous Metal Gear Solid games in terms of appearance.[2] The love scene between Naked Snake and EVA was inspired by the first Pink Panther. Kojima and Shinkawa watched the movie but the former stated it might have come different from the original version.[3] Since the game's trailers did not state that Naked Snake was Big Boss, Kojima often gave vague answers to the character's true identity.[4] Although the ending of Metal Gear Solid 3 reveals Naked Snake was given the Big Boss title, Kojima stated "he's not really the Big Boss yet". With Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, he wanted to explain how Naked Snake turned into the man who appeared in the original Metal Gear games as Solid Snake's enemy.[5]
Naked Snake as portrayed in Metal Gear Solid 3 shares the same voice actor as Solid Snake did in the first two Metal Gear Solid games, being voiced by Akio Otsuka in the Japanese version and David Hayter in the English version. Both actors would return to provide the character's voice in Portable Ops and Peace Walker. The elderly version of Big Boss who appears in Metal Gear Solid 4 was voiced by Chikao Otsuka (Akio Otsuka's real-life father) in Japanese and by Richard Doyle in English. Originally, Naked Snake was planned to have been voiced by Kurt Russell due to Kojima's request but the actor refused.[6]
On June 6, 2013, during Konami's third annual pre-E3 show, it was announced that Kiefer Sutherland would be replacing Hayter as the character in Metal Gear Solid V; Akio Otsuka was unaffected by this casting change and continued to portrayed the character in the Japanese dub. Sutherland plays the original Big Boss (who serves as the playable character in the stand-alone prologue Ground Zeroes), as well as Venom Snake (a new version of the character who serves as the protagonist in the main game The Phantom Pain). In addition to the voice, Sutherland also provided facial capture for the character.[7][8] Sutherland was assigned the role after a suggestion to Kojima from Hollywood producer and director Avi Arad; Kojima's reason was to "have a more subdued performance expressed through subtle facial movements and tone of voice rather than words", and that he "needed someone who could genuinely convey both the facial and vocal qualities of a man in his late 40s".[9][10][11]
Appearances
Naked Snake
Main video games
Big Boss is introduced in the original Metal Gear game as the Special Forces Unit FOXHOUND's leader and Solid Snake's commanding officer. He initially acts as a radio contact who provides Snake with information about mission objectives involving Outer Heaven, a mercenary nation in South Africa.[12][13] After Snake destroys the TX-55 Metal Gear, the villain confronts Snake, acting as a twist villain. The leader is defeated and Outer Heaven is destroyed,[a][14] but Big Boss vows revenge.[15] He reappears in the game's sequel Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, where Big Boss has taken control of Zanzibar Land, a fortified nation in Central Asia.[16] Snake confronts Big Boss once again while escaping from Zanzibar Land's detention camp, with Snake incinerating Big Boss.[17]
Fictional chronology in Metal Gear |
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Despite his apparent death, Big Boss features prominently in Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty where his DNA was revealed to have been used to create genetically-altered clones as part of the secret "Les Enfants Terribles" government project, with Solid Snake, Liquid Snake,[18] and Solidus Snake[19]
The prequel Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, set in 1964, depicts a younger incarnation of the character, under the codename of Naked Snake,[20] as a member of the CIA special forces unit FOX headed by Major Zero.[21] Snake is sent on assignment in the Soviet Union to thwart the uprising of GRU colonel Volgin, rescue weapons researcher Nikolai Sokolov, destroy the Shagohod prototype, and kill The Boss to avert a nuclear war while having a rivalry with Ocelot and receiving assistance from fellow spy EVA. Snake completes his mission and kills The Boss, but learns that the defection was orchestrated by the US government and who had ordered his mentor's death to prevent war.[22][23] The political motives behind the operation do not sit well with him, especially after he is awarded the "Big Boss" title for his actions which he initially rejects, and prompts him to retire from active service.[24]
In Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (dubious canonicity and not considered part of the timeline), he is still under his former codename, believing that he has yet to surpass The Boss as a warrior. Having spent six years wandering the globe, Snake finds himself involved in an armed uprising caused by Gene's rogue FOX unit in the San Hieronymo peninsula in Colombia and learns that he has been convicted for instigating the revolt. Hoping to clear his name, Snake forms his own team of specialists, FOXHOUND, by recruiting both old allies and defecting enemy soldiers to his cause. He faces not only the members of the FOX unit, but also Metal Gear's first prototype. After he learns that The Boss's death had been planned all along, Snake eventually defeats Gene and obtains the funds for Army's Heaven.[25]
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, set years after Metal Gear Solid and Metal Gear Solid 2, reveals that Big Boss and Zero were divided over how to realize The Boss's final will: a world where soldiers are free to choose their own fights on their own terms, and not at the whim of a government. Big Boss initially sided with Zero before being discouraged Zero interpreting the will as imposing order and control over the world. Big Boss further despises his role as a figurehead since Zero's vision places no value on loyalty to ideals and people, which The Boss treasured above all else. Big Boss ultimately leaves when he learns that his own DNA was used for the "Les Enfants Terribles" project. He later stages the coup d'état with Outer Heaven and Zanzibar Land against Zero's organization.[26] Big Boss survived Zanzibar Land and was placed in an artificially induced coma with his genetic code used for an ID recognition system, the use of which allows access to the AIs that make up the Patriots. His body is recovered and reconstructed using parts from the bodies of both Liquid and Solidus, and he awakens from his coma after the fall of the Patriots' AIs. Big Boss appears before Old Snake with the elderly catatonic Zero to reveal the truth about the Patriots, before shutting off Zero's life support system, killing the latter. He comes to terms with his feelings regarding The Boss, and reconciles with his son before dying from exposure to the new strain of FOXDIE virus.[27]
In Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, set after Metal Gear Solid 3 and Portable Ops, Naked Snake establishes the mercenary force Militaires Sans Frontières with Kazuhira "Kaz" Miller. He intends to use MSF to live out The Boss's final will. Student Paz Ortega Andrade and Professor Vladimir Zadornov seek to hire MSF to remove Coldman's CIA Peace Sentinel unit that has established bases in Costa Rica. Snake reluctantly accepts the mission, to which the MSF takes over an offshore research platform in the Caribbean as a "Mother Base" in a bid to expand the group's capabilities. Snake comes to learn about the true purpose of Coldman's Peace Walker prototypes and accepts his Big Boss identity.[28] Big Boss has Huey Emmerich create Metal Gear ZEKE as a weapon to defend his interests before Zadornov makes several escape attempts and is killed in self-defense while Paz takes control of ZEKE which Big Boss defeats and continues his operations with MSF. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, set in 1975, sees Big Boss sent to rescue Paz and ally Chico from a U.S. Naval prison facility in Cuba, believing that Paz can be converted to MSF's cause to reveal more about Cipher (a precursor to the Patriots). However, the XOF paramilitary force led by Skull Face attacks the Mother Base, resulting in injuries which put Big Boss in a coma. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, set in 1984, shows Big Boss awaken in Cyprus. Venom Snake acts as his doppelgänger/phantom (see below) for his operations while Big Boss works elsewhere on the true Outer Heaven's development.[29][30]
Other video games and media
Big Boss appears in Snake's Revenge (a sequel to the original Metal Gear for the NES released for the western market in 1990 and developed without Kojima's involvement) as the leader of the enemy organization. Having survived the injuries he sustained in the original game as a cyborg, he fights Solid Snake as a boss prior to reaching the new Metal Gear prototype and has two forms: his human form and a fire-breathing cyborg form.[citation needed] Naked Snake also appears as a playable character in Super Bomberman R.[citation needed] Big Boss was stated to be an inspiration for characters in the 2020 film Monster Hunter.[31]
Venom Snake
Venom Snake, also known as Punished Snake, is a body double of Big Boss seen in Metal Gear Solid V. He lost his left arm while his body has fragments of bones, teeth and a large piece of shrapnel lodged within his cerebral cortex.[32] While in a coma for nine years, he's subjected to subconscious brainwashing and facial reconstruction as a mental doppelgänger who awakens in 1984 to draw attention away from Big Boss and get revenge for fallen comrades.[29] Snake takes command of the mercenary unit Diamond Dogs with a "Mother Base" near Seychelles and engages in missions in Soviet-controlled Afghanistan and the Angola-Zaire border of Central Africa to recruit several companions against Cipher's remnants before facing off with Skull Face and the White Mamba. He would ultimately die fighting in Outer Heaven.[33][34]
Reception
Big Boss has been well-received. Game publications described Big Boss as one of the best video game villains.[35][36][37] Jesse Schedeen of IGN found the character one of the most important characters from the franchise to the point his "influence is felt in every Metal Gear game, even if he isn't always present in the flesh".[38] Ken Gagne of Computerworld named Big Boss as one of the most creative villains in video games, citing the complexity and importance of his betrayal of Solid Snake in the original game.[39] Naked Snake's transition to Big Boss was praised, especially in conjunction with his character development throughout the series.[40] Various gaming sites such as 1UP.com, Game Informer and Kotaku placed his character as one of the worst fathers in video games due to his poor relationship with Solid Snake and the attempts to murder his own son.[41][42][43]
VG247 writer Jeremy Parish discussed similarities and differences between Big Boss and Solid Snake as both are portrayed as protagonists with their own storylines despite being both nearly identical in their respective youth. Parish noticed Big Boss's portrayal as an enemy despite Solid Snake being his underling left a major impact on his son's characterization, especially when Kojima retconned their similarities by making Solid Snake a clone of Big Boss. When Kojima started addressing Big Boss's identity as Naked Snake, the writer noticed Big Boss was far more vulnerable despite his similarities with Solid Snake in previous games, most notably because of his passion for his mother figure, The Boss. The death of The Boss leaves Big Boss with major trauma, which would explore his transformation from a young hero into an older villain. The Boss's last words also became more impactful where Big Boss repeats the words in the end of Metal Gear 2. While Solid Snake was meant to be the final hero in Metal Gear Solid 4, Big Boss's sudden return in the mid-credits scenes and his interaction with his son made him "steal the spotlight". This scene is further enforced in following games which further explore the transformation from Naked Snake into the villain Big Boss, which Parish compared to the Darth Vader, a Star Wars villain who became more important than the hero Luke Skywalker when the movie writers decided to explored more of the former's youth and his corruption until his transformation into Luke's enemy.[44]
The inclusion of Naked Snake's role in Metal Gear Solid 3 has also received praise from critics.[45] Prior to the game's release, Naked Snake was often called 'Solid Snake' or simply 'Snake' by critics due to his resemblance with Solid Snake, although some still were not sure about his true identity.[46][47] Benjamin Turner of GameSpy further noted that various fans started making theories about Naked Snake's identity before the game's release, as while they thought it was Solid Snake, the setting from the game made it impossible for Solid Snake to be the game's main protagonist due to their difference of years.[48] Finding the revelation of Naked Snake's identity was considered by Benjamin Turner of GameSpy as "the single coolest thing Kojima could have done in MGS3" because of [Naked Snake's] differences from [Solid Snake] in regards to their personality as well as because it made fans wonder how Naked Snake would become the series antagonist Big Boss.[49] Despite the similarities between Naked Snake and Solid Snake, Rich Stanton of Eurogamer praised how different they are from each other in terms of experience, particularly highlighting how Naked Snake looks after The Boss despite the game placing them as enemies.[50] Dave Meikleham of GamesRadar+ placed his relationship with EVA in his top list of disastrous game romances due to how it was ruined by the two's different roles in the story.[51] Play editor Nick Jones described Naked Snake's final fight against The Boss as the second best moment from the franchise, citing the emotional focus on their characters,[52] while the portrayal of the character in Metal Gear Solid 3 has been highlighted for making him a likeable and enjoyable character that made subsequent game appearances as a leader believable within the context of the world as a result.[53]
Joe Dodson, writing for Game Revolution, disliked Big Boss's character in Portable Ops due to his process of kidnapping and indoctrinating enemy soldiers through "confusing rants" about the idea of loyalty.[54] Rob Fahey of Eurogamer found that Snake remained likeable due to carrying over traits shown in Snake Eater, and praised Hayter's performance.[55] Charles Herold of The New York Times described him as a tragic character based on the events shown in Snake Eater, and with Portable Ops had been forced to face a new conflict despite retirement.[56] Greg Kasavin of GameSpot praised the handling of the character in Portable Ops due to his interactions with his former partners from the FOX unit.[57] Jeff Haynes of IGN noted how the game presented major plot twists and exposition that would affect his characterization and lay the groundwork for important items shown later in the series.[58]
Oli Welsh of Eurogamer criticized Big Boss's characterization in Peace Walker as confusing in the wider context of the series, with mixed comments being given to Hayter's performance.[59] Jonathan Holmes of Destructoid enjoyed how Peace Walker further developed Big Boss's character from Portable Ops by completing his journey from lone soldier to leader and cementing him as the series icon he would become.[60] Greg Miller of IGN also found the game's story was one of the most enjoyable and least-convoluted by focusing purely on Big Boss's emotions and his quest to discover more about his fallen mentor, The Boss,[61] similar sentiments of which were shared by Randy Nelson of Engadget.[62]
Jason Schreier of Kotaku disliked the plot twist in The Phantom Pain which revealed that the player character, Venom Snake, was not Big Boss, feeling it cheapened the emotional crux of the story and that it failed to explain Big Boss's motivations for becoming a villain.[63] GamesRadar+ writer David Roberts felt similarly, citing that the reveal was a "strange" ending and "a bizarre bit of fridge logic that makes less and less sense the more I think about it," believing it to make the ending of the game feel hollow. However, he felt that the customization aspect of Venom Snake was a positive aspect to the game.[64] Conversely, it has been praised for its logic in the grander scheme of the series' timeline.[65] Samuel Roberts of PC Gamer in particular highlighted the scene revealing Venom Snake's true identity, stating the epilogue left the player with "no backstory other than the one [they]'ve just created" which removed the character's identity of Big Boss, reflecting the player's own unique experience and being "a perfect thematic match for [the] game".[66] The repetitive nature of the quest system in the game was highlighted as helping to show Big Boss's own lack of heroism in the game, with VICE writer Cameron Kunzelman stating that it helped show how Big Boss was merely doing work, and wasn't going above and beyond as a hero like many perceive him as.[67] Sutherland was praised for his performance,[64][68][69] though the character of Venom Snake was criticized for his lack of dialogue in game.[70][71][72]
References
Notes
- ^ Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain establishes that this individual is Venom Snake and not the original Big Boss.
Footnotes
- ^ Parish, Jeremy. "Gear Up! A Metal Gear Retrospective". 1UP.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ Payton, Ryan. "The KP Report Session 027". Kojima Productions Report. mp.i.revo. Archived from the original on July 3, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
- ^ "THE SNAKE EATER INTERVIEW". IGN. December 1, 2004. Archived from the original on November 3, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
- ^ C. Perry, Douglass (May 15, 2003). "E3 2003: Hideo Kojima Interview". IGN. Archived from the original on December 8, 2010. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
- ^ Totilo, Stephen (September 25, 2009). "Hideo Kojima Talks Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker And How You Can Help Him". Kotaku. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
- ^ "Solid Snake's longtime voice says Konami had tried to push him out before Metal Gear Solid 5". Polygon. March 26, 2016. Archived from the original on April 7, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
- ^ Romano, Sal (May 30, 2013). "Metal Gear Solid V clip teases Snake's new voice actor". Gematsu. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
- ^ Staff (June 6, 2013). "Konami's pre-E3 stream: Kiefer Sutherland Playing Snake in Metal Gear Solid 5". VG24/7. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
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- ^ "Metal Gear MSX2 version, instruction manual" (in Japanese). Konami. 1987. Archived from the original on August 18, 2006.
- ^ "Metal Gear 2 MSX2 version, instruction manual" (in Japanese). Konami. 1990. Archived from the original on September 7, 2006.
- ^ Kojima Productions. Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, Metal Gear. Konami.
Big Boss: Solid Snake! You've finally come here. Yeah, I'm Big Boss General Commandant of Foxhound. And in charge of this fortress, Outer Heaven.
- ^ Konami. Metal Gear (PS2). Level/area: post-credits message.
... can you hear me? Solid Snake... I'm not dead... Someday, I'll get even with you. Someday... We will meet again.
- ^ Kojima Productions. Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Konami.
Solid Snake: Big... Boss?! / Dr. Madnar: The very same! With Metal Gear and OILEX, he plots to rule the world. We cannot let the secret of OILEX fall into his hands!
- ^ Kojima Productions. Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Konami.
Big Boss: Even I make mistakes from time to time. Snake! This will be our final battle... Let's end this once and for all!
- ^ Kojima Productions. Metal Gear Solid. Konami.
Liquid Snake: There's a killer inside you... You don't have to deny it. We were created to be that way. / Solid Snake: Created? / Liquid Snake: Les enfants terribles... the terrible children. That's what the project was called. It started in the 1970s. Their plan was to artificially create the most powerful soldier possible. The person that they chose as the model was the man known then as the greatest living soldier in the world...
- ^ Kojima Productions. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. Konami.
Solidus Snake: ...I'm the boss to surpass Big Boss himself...
- ^ Kojima Productions. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. Konami.
Miller: Naked... That's exactly what you are with this uniform. The pants are the same as the jungle fatigues. Obviously, since you're exposing your bare skin, your defense and camo index are going to be low. On the plus side, it's so light you can move around quicker. / Naked Snake: Good for showing off muscles, too. / Miller: Hey, Snake. I heard they gave you your old code name because you used to run around with your shirt off. Is that true? / Naked Snake: Don't believe everything you hear. They called me "Naked" because I went in without gear or food. I had to procure everything on site.
- ^ Kojima Productions. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Konami.
Zero: Do you copy? You're already in enemy territory, and somebody might be listening in. From here on out, we'll be using codenames to refer to each other. Your codename for this mission will be Naked Snake. I'll be referring to you as Snake from now on. You are not to mention your real name.
- ^ EVA: The Boss' defection was a ruse set up by the U.S. government. It was all a big drama staged by Washington so they could get their hands on the Philosopher's Legacy. And The Boss was the star of the show. They planned it so that they could get the Legacy that Colonel Volgin inherited...and destroy the Shagohod at the same time. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
- ^ EVA: (...) Everything was going according to plan, but then something happened that no one could have predicted. Colonel Volgin fired an American-made nuclear warhead at Sokolov's research facility. Khrushchev demanded that the U.S. government provide proof that it wasn't involved. (...) The authorities in Washington knew that in order to prove its innocence they'd have to get rid of The Boss...and that one of their own would have to do the job. (...) That was the mission she was given. (...) She sacrificed her life and her honor for her native land. (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater) Konami Computer Entertainment Japan, 2005
- ^ Kojima Productions. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Konami.
Mr. President: You are above even The Boss. I hereby award you the title of Big Boss.
- ^ Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, Kojima Productions (2006)
Gene: So... You never knew. Six years ago, during Operation Snake Eater, Volgin launched an American nuclear missile at Sokolov's research lab. This caused a change in plans, and the U.S. government had to assassinate its own operative, The Boss, to prove its innocence. And you were the assassin, Snake. / (Naked Snake is speechless) / Gene: Do you really think Volgin committed that terrible crime of his own will? / Naked Snake: What? / Gene: It was all a setup from the very beginning. Volgin launching the nuke... The Boss' death... Even your mission in Groznyj Grad, Snake! It was all the work of your country and a single, deviously cunning strategist. / Naked Snake: You're saying it was all a setup? By who!? / Gene: The Boss gave up her life, even if someone else willed it. She sacrificed her own life for her calling. It was a noble act. / Naked Snake: Answer me! Who set it up?! - ^ Kojima Productions. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Konami.
Big Mama: "Give birth to Big Boss." To realize this, I asked to serve as the surrogate mother... And was more than happy to carry you in my womb. I loved him. Nine months later, I gave birth to two Big Bosses... You, and [Liquid Snake]. [...] Determined to oppose Zero and his plans, Big Boss broke away from the Patriots.
- ^ Kojima Productions (2008). Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (PlayStation 3). Konami.
Big Boss: Ever since the day I killed The Boss... with my own two hands... I... was already dead.
- ^ Kojima Productions. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. Konami.
Naked Snake: I won't make the same choice as her. My future's going to be different. / Miller: Then... / Naked Snake: Yeah, that's right. From now on, call me Big Boss.
- ^ a b Kojima Productions. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Level/area: Truth Records - Doublethink.
Ocelot: We've been busy over the last nine years. His altered state of consciousness has helped us implant powerful suggestions through induced hypnogogia. He's experienced all your missions on record, and shares all your knowledge and experience. To make him believe that he is the one true Big Boss. No one around him will doubt that he's the Big Boss they know. So is he the real Big Boss or a stand-in? What does that mean to him? Nothing. The human brain is capable of many illusions. Of pain, of the future. What happens from here depends on his skill. But you can vouch for that. / Big Boss: "He was always the best man we had. But..." / Ocelot: "Nine years ago in that helicopter, he threw himself between you and the blast. In that moment, the man you knew died. He died protecting you. And now, by becoming you, he protects you again. This is just a detour in his journey to Hell. And don't forget it's what he wanted. He's in his Dog Days now. It's not just him. We'll be putting the people in this hospital in the line of fire. They'll be your shield, and a necessary diversion. To buy us some time."
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- ^ Kojima Productions. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Level/area: Episode 46.
Miller: "How he's doing?" Doctor: "He's stabilized, but we took too long. He's in a coma." Miller: "What about him?" (nods towards the viewer) Doctor: "He took some shrapnel... to the head...
- ^ Kojima Productions. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Level/area: Episode 46.
1995 – While commanding special forces unit FOXHOUND from a position in the U.S. military, Big Boss establishes the fortified military nation 'Outer Heaven' in South Africa. The Outer Heaven Uprising occurs, but it is quashed by Solid Snake, who kills Big Boss' phantom.
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