Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Nintendo 3DS · 2004
About this game
The Cold War, a situation created after the Second World War when the world was torn between East and West, is about to heat up as the Soviets got their top scientist, Nikolai Stepanovich Sokolov, back due to an agreement with the US government for withdrawing the nuclear missiles from Cuba.
Now, with Sokolov in their hands, they're up to developing a powerful new weapon, and upon realizing the urgency of the situation, the CIA formed a plan to recapture Sokolov.
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They dispatch the covert FOX unit to Sokolov's research facility, located to the south of the great Soviet fortress of Groznyj Grad.
Led by former SAS member Major Zero, FOX is a next-generation special-forces unit that operates both as a specialized combat group and as a covert intelligence outfit.
The FOX unit's modus operandi is to send a single agent, backed by radio support from afar, into enemy territory to carry out a solo sneaking mission.
On August 24, 1964, a lone soldier swoops down from out of the blue.
The man's code name is Naked Snake.
It's a one-man war now, and the future of the world may now rest entirely on his shoulders.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is the prequel to the entire Metal Gear series.
Most of the series' defining gameplay elements have been carried over.
As before, Snake must use stealth and wits rather than brute force to infiltrate enemy zones and eliminate his major adversaries.
Action set-pieces and boss battles that require the player to figure out the enemy's weakpoints and employ unique tactics to defeat him are also present.
Several notable gameplay features have been added.
Unlike the previous games, much of the action in this installment takes place in a large outdoor environment, the (geographically inaccurate) jungle.
Snake is able to use camouflage: climb trees, hide in tall grass, or wear clothes that make him less noticeable.
Snake can also grow tired and hungry; collecting rations or even hunting wild animals for food is necessary.
He can sustain injuries (
About Nintendo 3DS
The Nintendo 3DS (2011) added glasses-free stereoscopic 3D and a second analog input to Nintendo's handheld line, eventually building a library that rivaled the DS in size and quality. Because the eShop for digital purchases has since closed, physical 3DS cartridges are the only way to preserve access to many titles — a dynamic that's pushing more collectors toward cartridge-based copies even for games that were originally digital-first.
Gamevaro tracks Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater for Nintendo 3DS with separate market values for loose, complete-in-box (CIB) and factory-sealed copies, sourced from real eBay sales. Prices also vary by region — PAL, NTSC-U and NTSC-J releases of the same game often sell for different amounts due to print run sizes and regional collector demand.
Adding Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater to a Gamevaro collection takes seconds — search by title or scan the box barcode, and the app fills in cover art, release details and current pricing automatically. This 3DS release dates back to 2004.
Market values by condition
PAL
Recent sales
| Date | Type | Region | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-11 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-U | €46.39 |
| 2026-07-11 | Boxed (CIB) | NTSC-U | €77.49 |
| 2026-07-10 | Loose / Item only | PAL | €53.24 |
| 2026-07-10 | Loose / Item only | NTSC-J | €45.30 |
| 2026-07-10 | Boxed (CIB) | NTSC-J | €77.67 |
Market insights
Rarity & condition
Only a handful of market sales have been tracked for Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, suggesting it doesn't trade hands very often — a sign of relative scarcity compared to more common Nintendo 3DS titles.
Complete-in-box (CIB) copies typically command a premium over loose cartridges/discs because the original box and manual are more fragile and get discarded or damaged over time — fewer complete sets survive.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater worth?
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater for Nintendo 3DS is currently worth €53.24 loose. Prices are based on real sales and update regularly on Gamevaro.
Is Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater rare?
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater has only a handful of tracked market sales, suggesting relative scarcity compared to more common Nintendo 3DS titles.
What's the difference between loose, CIB and sealed for Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater?
Loose means cartridge or disc only, CIB (complete in box) includes the original box and manual, and sealed means factory-sealed and never opened. These are tracked as separate market values because the price gap between them can be significant, especially for older releases.
Is Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater worth more in PAL or NTSC?
The PAL version of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is currently worth €53.24 loose, versus €46.39 for NTSC-U. Regional price differences usually come down to print run size and regional collector demand.
Ratings & Reviews
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