Will Vol.2 be your first time playing Ghost Babel?

[Dirty Duck]

Master Collection Vol.2 marks the first time Metal Gear: Ghost Babel for the Game Boy Color has been rereleased. I was wondering how many among our ranks have actually played Ghost Babel and if you have, how did you play it?

I've actually never played it properly personally. I started it on emulation but I'm a big fan of the GBC and thought I'd quite like to play it on the original hardware. Copies of it are always very expensive so it's become a bit of a dream to have a copy and play it on a Game Boy. I check online every now and then.

[NateDog]

Yep, first time. Looked at buying it over the years but have also realised that it's quite unlikely given the price.

[DANMATUS]

Never played ghost babel or any of the mgs nes / snes games. Dont think ill enjoy it but i still wanna do it just because lore reasons.

[Dirty Duck]

Never played ghost babel or any of the mgs nes / snes games. Dont think ill enjoy it but i still wanna do it just because lore reasons.

I mean it's non-canon as far as lore goes. It's an alternative sequel to MGS1, right?

Why don't you think you'll enjoy it? You not into 2D games?

[DANMATUS]

Never played ghost babel or any of the mgs nes / snes games. Dont think ill enjoy it but i still wanna do it just because lore reasons.

I mean it's non-canon as far as lore goes. It's an alternative sequel to MGS1, right?

Why don't you think you'll enjoy it? You not into 2D games?

I'm not sure they just look so boring imo but cant say for sure since i havent played any of them. Maybe its one of those games that are much more fun to play than to watch a walkthrough. Havent touched MG1 or MG2 neither though I really should!

[Roger]

I never played the game. But I am excited to play it. Every time in the credits for MGS2 I always see GHOST BABEL and I'm like, yeah that's something.

[MGWSpike]

I owned a Game Boy Color back in the day, so obviously I played Ghost Babel. One of my favorite Metal Gear games. However I didn't enjoy the portable console so I sold it and the cartridge to buy a PS2 game or something. I'm happy to see more people will be able to enjoy it now with Master Collection Vol. 2.

[starschwar]

Never played ghost babel or any of the mgs nes / snes games. Dont think ill enjoy it but i still wanna do it just because lore reasons.

I mean it's non-canon as far as lore goes. It's an alternative sequel to MGS1, right?

It's an alternate sequel to the MSX original - I'm pretty sure even MG2 is disregarded.  Snake meets Mei Ling for the first time, so it's not really possible to reconcile it with MGS1 proper.  

That said... there is a way to interpret it as semi-canonical.  

Spoiler:

There's some unlockable dialogue wherein the player character is referred to as "Jack".  Some interpret this to mean that the entirety of Ghost Babel is canonical... as a VR simulation Raiden was subjected to in his training.  Furthermore, inspecting the Five SeveN pistol in Guns of the Patriots describes it as "The pistol Snake used when he infiltrated Galuade."  Perhaps elements of Ghost Babel happened during Snake's Philanthropy days, but not the parts that contradict the other games?