In addition to being one of the best and most influential stealth games of all time, MGS is also a cheeky piece of entertainment that enjoys playing games with those who play it. So, what’s Meryl’s frequency on the back of the CD case in Metal Gear Solid?
What’s Meryl’s Codec Frequency in MGS?
At a certain point in Metal Gear Solid, Solid Snake is told by Colonel Campbell to contact his niece, Meryl. Unfortunately, Campbell doesn’t have the frequency where she can be reached via codec. In line fourth-wall-breaking humor, Campbell tells Snake to check the back of the CD case the game comes to obtain Meryl’s frequency. On the back of the Metal Gear Solid case, Meryl’s codec frequency can be found: 140.15.
Over the years, several theories about why Konami and Metal Gear Solid director Hideo Kojima chose to hide Meryl’s frequency — which is key to progressing through the game — on the back of the case. These theories range from it being an anti-piracy measure to it simply being a funny joke. But, as a long-time MGS fan, I’d love to know the truth!
As a series, Metal Gear Solid is a big proponent of occasionally breaking the fourth wall, such as in the battle with Psycho Mantis, where the villain relays what’s on the player’s memory cards. Another example is the torture sequence with Ocelot, where he warns the player against using auto-fire to make surviving easier.
The Other Way to Get Meryl’s Frequency
While obtaining Meryl’s codec frequency from the back of the CD case is the intended method, there’s another way to obtain it. This is done by calling Cambell three times in quick succession. While Campbell won’t give it to you himself, the game will do you a solid and provide it for you in the codec frequency directory.
For anyone not familiar with CD cases (they’re technically called jewel cases), they were prone to occasionally getting lost or discarded altogether in favor of putting games in CD booklets. Therefore, a workaround was seemingly instituted for anyone who didn’t have one. Yeah, they’re old-school.
That’s Meryl’s frequency on the back of the Metal Gear Solid CD case. For more Metal Gear Solid tips and tricks, stay tuned to GameSkinny.
