How to Play the Metal Gear Solid Games in Chronological Order: The Full MGS Timeline

From Snake's daring ascent of Shadow Moses's rainy cliffs to the heart-wrenching showdown between student and mentor in Snake Eater, Hideo Kojima and Konami's Metal Gear saga delivers some of gaming's most unforgettable moments. Spanning console generations and pushing the boundaries of storytelling in video games, Solid Snake and Big Boss's adventures are legendary, often cited among the medium's most impactful releases.

Following Kojima's departure from Konami in 2015 and the seemingly conclusive Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Konami has revitalized the franchise with re-releases and remakes, such as the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. With a new wave of players discovering this world of covert operations, shadowy government conspiracies, and charismatic, eyepatched heroes, we've compiled a chronological guide to the Metal Gear Solid series, perfect for both newcomers and seasoned veterans.

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How to Play in Chronological OrderHow to Play by Release OrderHow Many Metal Gear Solid Games Are There?

Every IGN Metal Gear Review

19 ImagesExcluding remakes, ports, and remasters, the Metal Gear universe boasts 17 games: 11 mainline titles, five handheld adventures, and one mobile experience. While extensive, a significant portion is considered non-canon, diverging from the main storyline or presenting alternate interpretations.

Metal Gear Survive (2018), set in a zombie-infested apocalypse, falls outside the main canon. The PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 offer distinct, alternate timelines. Similarly, the Game Boy Color's Metal Gear: Ghost Babel presents an alternate universe, disregarding events from Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Finally, Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge are officially deemed non-canon.

This leaves 11 games forming the core storyline, spanning from an alternate 1960s to the late 2010s. Let's explore this pivotal narrative.

Where Should You Begin Your Metal Gear Journey?

We suggest two ideal entry points. For the complete saga, we recommend 2023's Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, encompassing the best versions of Metal Gear Solid 1-3. Alternatively, for a more contemporary experience and a less demanding introduction to older gameplay mechanics, start with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.

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5See it at AmazonMetal Gear Games in Chronological Order

Please note: The following descriptions may contain minor spoilers regarding characters, settings, and plot points.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Opening the saga's timeline and soon to receive a modern remake, *Snake Eater* follows Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative, during the Cold War. Tasked with retrieving a Soviet scientist to prevent the creation of the Shagohod, a devastating weapon, Snake discovers his mentor, The Boss, has betrayed the US. After a brutal defeat, Snake is given a mission: return to Russia, find The Boss, and eliminate her, all while stopping the Shagohod. This journey transforms Naked Snake into Big Boss, a legend, yet leaves him disillusioned with his government.

Read our Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Review or see updates about the Metal Gear Solid 3 remake.

2. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

Six years after his battle with The Boss, Big Boss confronts his rogue FOX Unit. Captured and accused of treason, he must clear his name by hunting down his former comrades and their leader, Gene. This leads to Big Boss's acquisition of funds and equipment for Army's Heaven, a mercenary nation, setting the stage for his future actions.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Four years later, Big Boss leads Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF), defending nations against the Peace Sentinels, who possess nuclear weapons and the powerful Peace Walker mech. Big Boss uncovers a connection to The Boss and the Sentinels' true motives, culminating in a confrontation with Paz, a Cipher agent.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Serving as a prologue to *The Phantom Pain*, Big Boss infiltrates Camp Omega to extract Paz, discovering the XOF, led by Skull Face. The mission ends with an attack on Motherbase, leaving Big Boss near death.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years later, a wounded Big Boss, now Venom Snake, leads Diamond Dogs against the rogue XOF and Skull Face, who is developing a devastating parasitic weapon. The game concludes with Big Boss laying the groundwork for Outer Heaven.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.

6. Metal Gear

Solid Snake, under Big Boss's command, infiltrates Outer Heaven to destroy a nuclear-capable Metal Gear. His mission reveals Big Boss's role in Outer Heaven's creation.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Solid Snake confronts Big Boss and his new Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land.

See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Snake infiltrates Shadow Moses Island to stop FOXHOUND's threat of nuclear war, encountering familiar faces and Liquid Snake.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid or see more of the best PS1 games.

9. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Snake and Raiden investigate the Big Shell incident, uncovering conspiracies and confronting Liquid Ocelot and the Patriots.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty or check out more of the best PS2 games.

10. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

An aging Solid Snake, Old Snake, undertakes his final mission against Liquid Ocelot and his new Outer Heaven.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Raiden, now a cyborg, confronts Desperado Enforcement and its dark secrets.

Read our review of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.

How to Play the Metal Gear Games by Release Date

Metal Gear (1987)Snake’s Revenge (1990)Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990)Metal Gear Solid (1998)Metal Gear Solid: Ghost Babel (2000)Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)Metal Gear Solid: Acid (2004)Metal Gear Solid: Acid 2 (2005) Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (2006) Metal Gear Solid: Mobile (2008) Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008) Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010) Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013) Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (2014) Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015) Metal Gear Survive (2018)Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater (2025)What’s Next for Metal Gear?

Despite past uncertainties, Konami has confirmed a remake of *Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater*, *Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater*, slated for August 28, 2025. While the future of original *Metal Gear* titles remains unclear without Kojima's involvement, the developers have hinted at the possibility of remaking other entries based on player demand.

Metal Gear Games: Complete Playlist

Here are all the standalone Metal Gear games and spin-offs, in order of release. Log in to rank them, mark games owned, completed, or create a game plan for what to play next.See All1

Konami2Konami3Konami4Konami5Konami6Konami7Konami OSA (KCEO)8Konami9KCEJ10KonamiFor more lists like these, also see Assassin's Creed Games in Order and a list of Far Cry Games in order.