This title significantly expanded upon the gameplay of Antarctic Adventure by most notably adding a greater variety of stages and enemies and role-playing elements: boss fights, purchasable items, and several minigames.

[2] There are several shortcuts, usually hidden underneath holes (which are typically harmful hazards) in the game, that allow the player to go on almost completely different paths.

Some publications have stated that Kojima reused the idea for multiple endings from this game in Metal Gear Solid and, to an extent, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, due to it often being cited as his debut game.

[4] However, Kojima himself has stated that he only participated in the project for about a month to help plan the game, pitching suggestions such as the slot machine in the shop and how to defeat the bosses.

Kojima's first game credit and directorial debut would be with Metal Gear, released for the MSX2 the next year.