Rare Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes Book Uncovered—Edited by Kazutoshi Iida, Featuring Unique Kojima Content

The Metal Gear franchise, a cornerstone of stealth-action gaming, has consistently captivated fans with its innovative gameplay and distinctive storytelling.

In 2004, Konami and developer Silicon Knights released Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes exclusively for the Nintendo GameCube—a comprehensive remake that merged the critically acclaimed narratives of Hideo Kojima's original PlayStation title with the technical capabilities of Nintendo's hardware.

Despite its mixed reception among purists, the GameCube version has since become an influential artifact in both Metal Gear and Nintendo history. Among the series’ lesser-known treasures, journalist and archival specialist Bruno de Figueiredo has recently resurfaced a unique piece of Metal Gear Solid: Twin Snakes media: a Japan-exclusive book published in 2004.

This book was edited by Kazutoshi Iida, the creative force behind Doshin The Giant, Tail of the Sun, and Aquanaut's Holiday.

Its unconventional format and rare content make it a standout among Metal Gear collectibles and a valuable resource for enthusiasts of video game preservation. "The book is presented in an unusually narrow format, which significantly complicated the scanning process due to its minimal page margins," Bruno de Figueiredo explains.

This makes the volume not only physically distinct but also challenging to digitize for archival purposes.

Inside, readers will find a series of exclusive interviews with key figures from the Twin Snakes project: Dennis Dyack of Silicon Knights, who spearheaded the porting process; military advisor Motosada Mouri; and real-time demo director Ryuhei Kitamura.

Notably, the book features a conversation between editor Kazutoshi Iida and series creator Hideo Kojima, which de Figueiredo has carefully translated for posterity. One of the most striking aspects of this publication is its illustrated biography of Hideo Kojima, which, as explained by de Figueiredo, "has been provocatively accompanied by actual CT scans of Kojima’s brain, performed at the Roppongi Hills clinic." This distinct visual element underscores the book’s rare status and the creative legacy of Kojima himself. De Figueiredo is actively seeking collaborators capable of providing a full translation of this significant work, aiming to broaden its accessibility to the global gaming community.

As interest in retro Nintendo platforms like the GameCube and titles exclusive to the Japanese market continues to grow, such preservation efforts prove invaluable for both historical documentation and fan appreciation. With the enduring influence of the Metal Gear Solid series and its continued relevance in discussions around game design and narrative, artifacts like this Twin Snakes book serve as a testament to the collaborative and innovative spirit behind some of the industry’s most iconic titles.

Metal Gear Nintendo GameCube Rare Metal Gear Solid Nintendo GameCube Hideo Kojima Metal Gear Solid Twin Snakes Kazutoshi Iida Silicon Knights Bruno de Figueiredo