Metal Gear Solid Sega Saturn Prototype Verified: Homebrew Developer Confirms Authenticity

A long-standing discussion about the capabilities of the Sega Saturn received a substantial update recently, as a verified prototype of Metal Gear Solid running on the platform has been authenticated by a respected voice in the homebrew community.

The game, originally developed by Konami for the PlayStation and considered a monumental achievement in stealth-action gaming, has never previously been associated with a legitimate Saturn port—making this discovery a notable event in the world of retro gaming.

The prototype's verification comes courtesy of XL2, a known Saturn homebrew developer.

Sharing their findings on the Shiro! Discord server and the Sega Xtreme forums, XL2 stated they received a playable ISO build of the Metal Gear Solid Saturn prototype.

After running the demo in the Mednafen emulator, XL2 confirmed, “The demo is authentic in every aspect, from the introductory screen to the hidden Easter eggs.

While I haven't tested it on physical hardware, aside from possible slowdowns, there are no critical issues identified.

Even if real hardware presents minor loading glitches, these would be fixable.” This prototype emerged after Frogbull, a French hobbyist developer, published an unlisted video on October 9th, showing Metal Gear Solid booting up on a Sega Saturn emulator via RetroArch, enhanced with a CRT shader.

The footage moves quickly from the console startup sequence and Konami logo to game setup options and an in-game Codec conversation between the iconic characters Snake and Colonel, before jumping into gameplay.

A memorable Easter egg sees Sega’s mascot Segata Sanshiro making an appearance, highlighting the attention to detail in recreating the Saturn experience. Frogbull developed the prototype over several months, relying on the Z-treme engine built by XL2, previously used for the Saturn FPS project Hellslave.

In online discussions and on the SegaXtreme forums, Frogbull disclosed that he chose not to distribute the prototype publicly, citing concerns about potential misuse and unauthorized sales.

However, Frogbull has not ruled out further development, expressing interest in expanding the project in the future and possibly entering it in competitions. When questioned about the hardware differences and the long-standing rumor that a Saturn version was once planned and canceled at the 1998 Tokyo Game Show, Frogbull explained in a forum post, “Many believed the Saturn could never handle Metal Gear Solid’s 3D demands.

With this prototype, I believe the debate about Saturn’s 3D capabilities is now settled.” This verified build does more than honor Metal Gear Solid’s legacy; it spotlights the enduring creativity and technical skill within the retro gaming and homebrew development communities.

It also underscores the vibrant interest in keeping classic consoles like the Sega Saturn relevant through ambitious fan-driven projects.

While public access to the prototype is not available at this time, the confirmation by XL2 and collaboration with Frogbull suggest that further milestones may still be ahead. For more on Metal Gear Solid, the Sega Saturn, and updates from the retro gaming community, stay tuned to our ongoing coverage.

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