The Metal Gear Solid series is a series of stealth action video games developed by Konami. The series was created by Hideo Kojima and was first released in Japan in 1998 for the PlayStation console. The first game in the series, titled Metal Gear Solid, was released in Japan in 1998 and later released in the United States in 1999. In the game, players control Solid Snake, a member of an elite special forces unit who must infiltrate a heavily guarded enemy base to rescue two hostages and neutralize a nuclear threat. Since the release of the first game, numerous Metal Gear Solid games have been released for various platforms, including home consoles, handheld consoles, and mobile devices. The series has become popular and has spawned a number of spin-off games and merchandise. The Metal Gear Solid series is known for its stealth gameplay, complex storylines, and iconic characters. It has received critical acclaim and has a dedicated fan base.