basically, snake eater is the game which came out first, then subsistence is in essence snake eater directors cut, new angle mode so you can control the camera, extra scenes, it comes with the first 2 metal gears (the 2 before mgs1 when you fight gray fox and big boss) so basically, get subsistence (they did the same with mgs2 aqnd are going to do the same with mgs4, the new mgs4 directors cut is going to be called mgs4 existance) but definately get subsistance, awesome game