Metal Gear Solid 3: First Bite is a karaoke lover’s dream. Not only does this tempting little sample disc contain the American Snake Eater theme, but it includes a remix and an instrumental track as well. There is also the Japanese theme, classy and catchy in it’s own right, plus some of the most suspenseful and memorable in-game tracks from the entire epic game.

If you’ve heard the Snake Eater tracks before (most video game fanatics can recognize the song even when sung poorly by a drunk, non-vocally trained dork, as evident by the reaction of the people in my hotel room this past weekend), the Abstracted Camouflage remix keeps the wonderful melody and adds a hip-hop beat and almost sinister techno sound that blends well with Cynthia Harrell’s strong, full voice. Konami, publisher of both the Metal Gear and Beatmania franchises, includes the original version of Snake Eater as an unlockable track on Karaoke Revolution 3, which is how our reviewer embarrassed herself (not the first time, either) in front of complete strangers.

Since the game is set in 1964, both the American and Japanese themes are intentionally retro, with the Japanese theme sounding like the opening to a James Bond film. It works exceptionally well, with a beat that will keep your fingers snapping, a chorus of women humming and whispering, deep bass and bells and a slick male vocalist (listed on the CD only as “W.A.”) crooning the way Vegas lounge lizard could only dream of sounding. If you think you’re cool enough to attempt this in front of a crowd, and you can read Japanese, you’re in luck- the lyrics are listed in the liner notes. This goes for the American version as well, and also for one of the bonus tracks, Don’t Be afraid, another, slower lounge-like song with a throaty female singer and a piano.

Most people will buy this gem only for the Snake Eater songs, but there are a few other notable tracks included, namely the main theme for the game. The Metal Gear Solid 3 version of the main theme is a compilation of different sounds, from the intro’s haunting lead-in to the several minutes of battle music. Only at the end of the track, when most people who’ve played the game to completion’s eyes get misty, do the first strains of one of the most memorable gaming themes appear. It’s raw, it’s emotional, it’s one hundred percent Metal Gear Solid.

I’m not a fan of the stealth/espionage variety of video games, but the music of Metal Gear Solid 3 alone has sparked my interest. I still cannot complete the game, but I’m more than willing to sit down with someone who can. Between the massively complicated storylines, the cinema-quality cut scenes and the exemplary music keeping it all together, Metal Gear Solid 3 is a complete package that will thrill the eyes and ears of most adult gamers.

1. Snake Eater (abstracted camouflage)
2. Infiltration into the Jungle
3. Escape
4. Chivalry
5. The Treading Behemoth
6. Snake Eater (Japanese version)

Hidden Tracks:

7. Snake Eater (American version)
8. Metal Gear Solid Main Theme (MGS3 version)
9. Don’t Be Afraid
10. Snake Eater (American instrumental)