Metal Gear Solid 3 hitting Japan in October?

TOKYO--According to Japanese video game retailer Game Ichibankan, Konami will release Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater during the fall in Japan. The retailer lists two editions of the PlayStation 2 game on its sales schedule for release in October, which includes a normal 6,980 yen ($63) package and a limited edition that costs 12,800 yen ($116). There are no details about what will be included in the limited edition.

If true, the Snake Eater release plans would echo those of the Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, which was released in Japan in November 2001. That game also had a limited-edition package, priced at 9,800 yen ($88), which included a 72-page, full-color booklet, a premium disc, and a Solid Snake action figure.

Currently, Konami's official stance is that Metal Gear Solid 3 will be released sometime in 2004 in both Japan and America. For more details on Metal Gear Solid 3, check GameSpot’s hands-on preview.