Enjoy the first adventures for the first time (or all over again).

For those of you that prefer to indulge your gaming habits over paying bills with this year's tax refund, here's a quickie that shouldn't go unnoticed…

Konami has announced plans to release Metal Gear Solid: the Essential Collection, confirming recent speculation of a new commemorative package of the first three MGS installments for the PS2. The package will give newcomers and longtime fans the chance to (re) experience the whole saga before the release of MGS4: Gun of the Patriots.

"Since its inception, the Metal Gear Solid franchise has been one of the most successful game series in the history of video games, receiving worldwide recognition and praise," said Anthony Crouts, Vice President of Marketing for Konami Digital Entertainment Inc.  "Metal Gear Solid: The Essential Collection represents a great value for gamers, bringing together three must-have classic titles which pioneered the stealth action genre."   
 

Contents will include the the original Metal Gear Solid for the PlayStation game console, the director's cut of Metal Gear Solid 2 and Metal Gear Solid 3 in a commemorative package with artwork by renowned Metal Gear Solid artist Yoji Shinkawa. I am hoping some added bonus goodies are included on a special CD to really give some added value to the package beyond the expected items; this IS supposed to be a special package after all, right?