Naked Snake returns in April 2027, only this time he’ll fit in the palm of your hand.
Kaiyodo is producing a Revoltech Amazing Yamaguchi action figure of Naked Snake from Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, and it ranks among the most impressive physical products the franchise has seen in some time. It’s scheduled for April 2027, though the manufacturer has yet to announce a specific day.
This is not a new game. Longtime followers of the series probably saw that coming.
What’s actually in the box
Forbidden Planet has published the product page on its official website. The best part is the retailer’s write-up, which reveals just how much of the game Kaiyodo squeezed into a single package.
“Naked Snake, the protagonist of “Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater” and later known as the legendary mercenary Big Boss,” joins the Amazing Yamaguchi series! He is sculpted in the latest sneaking suit he acquired during his infiltration missions. The entire body is articulated to express his stealth action,” Forbidden Planet said.
The description doesn’t stop there, and the rest is where things get interesting.
“He can realistically hold his included firearms and knife, and even assume a prone position. His rugged face with a scruffy beard features a built-in movable eyeball gimmick. Unique items such as the “!” mark that appears above enemies’ heads, the Kerotan hidden on the map, and his beloved cardboard box are also included, allowing you to enjoy various scenes from the game!” Forbidden Planet said.
The cardboard box does a lot of work here
Sculpting a soldier in a sneaking suit is easy enough. Throwing in the “!” alert, a Kerotan and the cardboard box, though, proves someone on the team actually played the game. Fans remember those touches far more than any weapon specs.
Then there’s the movable eyeball gimmick, an odd little feature to build into a figure. It’s charming all the same.
Since the figure can lie prone, you can lay him flat on a shelf as if he’s crawling beneath a guard’s field of view. Or you can hide him under the box, which is clearly the correct choice.
The bigger problem nobody can pose away
This has been one of gaming’s most reliably excellent franchises for years, which makes the possibility that no further game will ever be tied to it all the more painful.
Hideo Kojima departed Konami to set up his own studio, leaving behind the series that made his name. Konami retains the rights and is free to produce a new title whenever it chooses.
Still, some fans simply won’t touch one without Kojima on board. As a result, the series’ future looks far shakier than anyone would have predicted before his exit. What remains to be seen is whether Konami does anything with it beyond remakes and remasters.
Collectibles in the meantime
Spin-off products like this one arrive on a regular basis, and this might be the finest of them.
Naturally, it’s no substitute for an upcoming game. Don’t count on a return to the era of fresh entries like Phantom Pain any time soon. If you’re after something new to play, you’ll likely need to look beyond this series for a while.
Alternatively, you can preorder a bearded, fully articulated Big Boss and let him stand guard on your desk.
One last detail: the Kerotan comes included. A tiny frog will be tucked away somewhere on your shelf, hiding in plain sight just like it did in the game.