Metal Gear 1 (weapon)

Metal Gear 1, code number VRC-4, was an unmanned nuclear-armed bipedal tank created in Outer Heaven in 1995, then mass-produced on another base three years later.

History
In 1995, Outer Heaven commander Big Boss ordered the kidnapping of Dr. Madnar, the foremost robotics expert, forcing him to develop Metal Gear. A Supercomputer was also built to control the weapon.

Outer Heaven
When the U.S. Government learned about the existence of "a weapon of mass destruction" in Outer Heaven, it requested Special Forces Unit FOXHOUND to investigate, unknowingly that its commander was the same man that led Outer Heaven. Big Boss prepared Operation Intrude N312 and sent FOXHOUND's top agent Gray Fox to infiltrate the fortress. Fox was eventually inprisoned, after discovering what the weapon was. Few days later, Solid Snake, along with three other companions, was sent in Outer Heaven during Operation Intrude N313 to destroy Metal Gear. Upon rescuing Dr. Madnar, he learned the location of the Supercomputer, thus proceeded to sub-basement 100 of Building #3, and destroyed it. With its destruction, Metal Gear was destroyed altogheter.

Post-Outer Heaven
Three years later, another base, again led by Big Boss, started a mass-production of VRC-4 units. When FOXHOUND was informed by a spy learned about it, Solid Snake led Operation 747 and infiltrated the enemy base with other two FOXHOUND agents, John Turner and Nick Myer. Interrogating an enemy officer, Snake learned that the weapons were being prepared to be shipped on a transport ship, so he infiltrated the tanker transporting them, with it setting sail just as Snake boarded. Upon discovering the ship was carrying dozens of mass-produced VRC-4 units, Snake blew up the ship, stopping the production and preventing the use of the weapons.

Legacy
Shortly after the sinking of the ship, Snake was informed that there was also a new Metal Gear in development on the base, a model much more destructive than the VRC-4.

Behind the scenes
Metal Gear 1 is mentioned constantly through the NES version of Metal Gear, but is never seen due to hardware limitations. Several Metal Gear 1 units appear in Snake's Revenge, on board the ship. It also appears in the opening, where are also seen its specifications; although most of them are similar to the original specs of TX-55 Metal Gear, the armor thickness is defined and the weight is be ten times heavier than the original model (this is possibly a mistake during conversion to imperial units). The code number "VRC-4" is also the name of a memory management controller (MMC) chip designed by Konami for use in NES cartridges.

Appearances

 * Metal Gear (NES) (mentioned; non-canon
 * Snake's Revenge (non-canon)