About this game
Snatcher for PC Engine CD-ROM² — known as the 'CD-ROMantic' edition — is the 1992 cyberpunk adventure game created by Hideo Kojima, releasing on PC Engine as the first version to include the previously missing Act 3, finally completing the story that had been left unfinished in the original 1988 MSX2 and PC-88 releases. Set in 2047 Neo Kobe, the player controls Gillian Seed, an amnesiac government agent investigating Snatchers — biorobots that kill humans and assume their identities. Inspired explicitly by Blade Runner and The Terminator, Snatcher is a graphic novel-style adventure with extensive voiced dialogue, mature themes, and an investigative structure that requires examining crime scenes, interrogating witnesses, and consulting the AI partner METAL GEAR Mk. II.
Key Features
Complete three-act story — Act 3 appears for the first time in this PC Engine version. Voiced dialogue throughout — CD audio enables extensive speech. Graphic novel presentation with still and animated illustrations. METAL GEAR Mk. II: an AI companion who assists investigation and provides comic relief. Crime scene examination, witness interrogation, and item investigation. Mature themes: violence, identity theft, body horror. Explicit Blade Runner and Terminator influence in both setting and narrative.
The Story Behind
Snatcher's PC Engine CD-ROM² release in 1992 brought the first complete version of Kojima's cyberpunk story to market. The original MSX2 and PC-88 versions from 1988 had ended mid-story due to development time constraints; players had waited four years for the conclusion. The CD format enabled voice acting that transformed the experience — characters who had been text in the originals now had distinct voices and performances. The game's Sega CD version (1994) later brought it to North American audiences in English. Snatcher is considered a foundational work in cinematic adventure game history.
Tricks & Tales
Snatcher's AI companion is called METAL GEAR Mk. II — a direct reference to Kojima's Metal Gear franchise, making this one of the earliest cross-references in his body of work. The original 1988 MSX2 version ended halfway through the story due to a deadline; Kojima completed Act 3 specifically for the PC Engine CD-ROM² release four years later. The Sega CD version (1994) is the only official English-language release of the game, as the PC Engine version was Japan-only. The game's opening monologue describing the Snatcher threat was written to evoke the Voight-Kampff test scenes from Blade Runner.
Collector's Guide
Region & Compatibility
PC Engine CD-ROM² version: Japan only (1992). Sega CD version: North America and Japan (1994) — the only official English release. PC Engine version is Japan-exclusive and commands significant collector value.
Available in our shop
Hand-cleaned and tested units shipped worldwide from Toyohashi, Japan. HP direct purchase exclusive: we include a printed shop owner's note card with every order.
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