Metal Gear, released in 1987, takes place in 1995. In Africa, a fortified state called "Outer Heaven" has begun creating a weapon of mass destruction. Outer Heaven is a nation that is also an army, composed of soldiers who fight only for what they believe in; its founder is described only as a "legendary mercenary." America mobilizes its top special forces unit, FOXHOUND, led by the Living Legend Big Boss. A member of FOXHOUND, Gray Fox, is dispatched to infiltrate the fortress, but disappears from contact, his last transmission being, "Metal Gear..." For whatever reason, Big Boss decides that this is the perfect time to send in the New Meat, and newest FOXHOUND recruit Solid Snake (b. 1972) is thrown at the problem.
Snake proves more than adequate, though. Making contact with a local resistance, headed by a Kyle Schneider, he manages to rescue Gray Fox and the Russian robotics engineer Doctor Drago Madnar, the latter being responsible for the creation of the Metal Gear prototype. Fox reveals that "Metal Gear" is a Humongous Mecha that can dominate conventional battlefields and launch nukes; on its back, Outer Heaven intends to establish itself as the world's only superpower. Snake sets out to destroy it, but soon discovers that the traps in his way are tuned perfectly to him. Additionally, Big Boss, who has been supporting him via radio, begins to deliberately mislead him, up to and including establishing the series' love of Breaking the Fourth Wall by demanding the player turn off their console. After Snake destroys the Metal Gear, all is revealed: Big Boss is, himself, the founder of Outer Heaven. He and Snake engage in a shootout, having already engaged the base's self-destruct; but Snake defeats him and lives to fight another day.
