Solid Snake did not lose an arm through an explosion or a similar traumatic event. His arm, like the rest of his body, was severely affected by accelerated aging, leading to the use of prosthetic elements primarily for disguise and support. This is often confused with Venom Snake, a different character in the Metal Gear Solid series, who did lose his arm in an explosion.
Solid Snake's Arm: The Effects of Rapid Aging and Prosthetic Use
In Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Solid Snake suffers from accelerated aging, a result of his clone status. This rapid cellular degradation causes his body to age prematurely, leading to a frail physical state by the time of the game's events. While his body, including his right arm, becomes significantly weakened and shows signs of advanced age, he does not experience an outright loss or amputation of his arm. Instead, his OctoCamo suit integrates prosthetic elements that provide support and make his arm appear normal, compensating for the physical deterioration.
Earlier in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Solid Snake, operating under the alias Iroquois Pliskin, temporarily uses a disguise that includes a prosthetic-looking arm. This was not due to an actual loss of his own arm but rather a component of his elaborate infiltration gear to conceal his true identity during the mission on the Big Shell.
Distinguishing Solid Snake from Venom Snake
The common misconception about Solid Snake losing an arm often stems from confusion with Venom Snake, the protagonist of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. These are two distinct characters within the Metal Gear universe, each with their own unique history and physical characteristics.
Here's a comparison to clarify the difference:
| Feature | Solid Snake (e.g., MGS4) | Venom Snake (MGSV) |
|---|---|---|
| Arm Status | His natural arm is present but severely weakened by rapid aging; prosthetic elements are used for support/disguise. | Lost his arm in an explosion; replaced with a sophisticated bionic arm. |
| Reason for Arm Condition | Accelerated aging due to his clone status. | Traumatic injury from an explosion. |
| Notable Arm Feature | OctoCamo suit integrates support for his aging arm. | Iconic red and black bionic arm with detachable missile and stun gadgets. |
Venom Snake's Arm Loss
Venom Snake lost his left arm during a catastrophic explosion at the end of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes, an event that also left him with severe shrapnel injuries and put him in a nine-year coma. Upon awakening in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, he is fitted with an iconic red and black bionic arm. This advanced prosthetic is not merely a replacement but an integral part of his combat arsenal, complete with detachable missile functionality and gadgets designed to stun enemies.
