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

From the iconic elevator ride in Shadow Moses to the intense mentor-student showdown in Snake Eater, Hideo Kojima and Konami's Metal Gear franchise has delivered some of the most memorable moments in gaming history. Spanning multiple console generations, this epic spy thriller series has pushed the boundaries of storytelling in video games, with the adventures of Solid Snake and Big Boss becoming legendary. Many consider these titles to be among the most influential in the medium.

Although the series seemed to conclude with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain in 2015, following Kojima's departure from Konami, the franchise is experiencing a revival through re-releases and remakes, such as the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. As new and returning players delve into this world of espionage, government conspiracies, and iconic characters, understanding the chronological order of the Metal Gear Solid series can enhance the experience. Here's a guide to help you navigate through the saga.

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How to play in chronological orderHow to play by release order

Every IGN Metal Gear Review

19 ImagesExcluding remakes, ports, and remasters, there are 17 Metal Gear games in total: 11 mainline entries, five for handheld devices, and one for mobile. While this might seem like a lot, several of these games are considered non-canon, diverging from the main storyline and exploring alternate narratives.

For instance, Metal Gear Survive (2018) takes place in an apocalyptic world overrun by a zombie virus, thus falling outside the main canon. The PSP titles, Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2, introduce new stories and timelines, making them alternate-universe spin-offs. Similarly, Metal Gear: Ghost Babel for the Game Boy Color presents an alternate-universe sequel, disregarding the events of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge have also been deemed non-canon by the community and Kojima.

This leaves us with 11 games that form the core Metal Gear Saga, covering a fictional alternate history from the 1960s to the late 2010s. Let's walk through the chronological order of these mainline games.

Which Metal Gear Should You Play First?

For those eager to dive into the full saga, we recommend starting with the 2023 Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, which includes the best versions of Metal Gear Solid 1–3. Alternatively, if you prefer to begin with a more recent title and are less tolerant of older game mechanics, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is an excellent entry point into the series.

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5See it at AmazonMetal Gear Games in Chronological Order

These summaries include mild spoilers for each game, covering characters, settings, and key story elements.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

The saga begins with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, set during the Cold War. You play as Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative, tasked with extracting a Russian scientist to prevent the development of the Shagohod, a weapon of mass destruction. The mission takes a shocking turn when Snake discovers his mentor, The Boss, has defected to the Soviets. After a brutal battle and presumed death, Snake is sent back to Russia to confront The Boss and destroy the Shagohod, ultimately becoming Big Boss and questioning his loyalty to the 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

Set six years after Snake Eater, Portable Ops follows Big Boss as he battles his former FOX Unit, now rogue. Captured and tortured in Colombia, Big Boss escapes and sets out to clear his name, confronting the leader of the rogue unit, Gene. The game ends with Big Boss gaining control of Gene's resources and later founding the special ops team, FOXHOUND.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Four years after Portable Ops, Big Boss has left FOXHOUND and formed Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) with Kazuhira Miller. They intervene in Costa Rica against the Peace Sentinels, who are connected to The Boss and possess a nuclear-capable mech, the Peace Walker. The story culminates in a battle with Paz, revealed to be a Cipher agent, setting the stage for further conflict.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Months after Peace Walker, Ground Zeroes serves as a prologue to The Phantom Pain. Big Boss, now known as Snake, attempts to rescue Paz from Cipher's interrogation at Camp Omega. He discovers the XOF, led by the sadistic Skull Face, and the mission ends with Motherbase under attack, leaving Snake gravely injured.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years later, The Phantom Pain follows a recovering Big Boss, now Venom Snake, leading the Diamond Dogs. He pursues the XOF and Skull Face, who are developing a parasitic weapon to destroy the West. The game concludes with Big Boss planning to establish Outer Heaven, a nation for soldiers.

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

6. Metal Gear

Eleven years after The Phantom Pain, the story shifts to Solid Snake, a rookie FOXHOUND member under Big Boss's command. His first mission is to infiltrate Outer Heaven and stop the development of the Metal Gear mech. The game ends with Snake confronting Big Boss, who reveals his involvement in Outer Heaven's plans.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years later, Solid Snake returns to stop Big Boss, who is building another Metal Gear for Zanzibar Land. With the help of various allies, Snake destroys the weapon and confronts Big Boss once more.

See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Six years after Metal Gear 2, Solid Snake is sent to Shadow Moses to stop a rogue FOXHOUND from using a new Metal Gear. He battles former allies and the enigmatic Liquid Snake, ultimately escaping after being declared dead by the government.

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

9. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Two years later, Solid Snake infiltrates an oil tanker to stop the transport of a new Metal Gear, only to be framed for its destruction. The story then follows Raiden, a FOXHOUND agent, as he infiltrates Big Shell, uncovering secrets and meeting Snake, who is on a mission to stop Revolver 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

In the final chapter, an aging Solid Snake, now called Old Snake, embarks on a mission to assassinate Liquid Ocelot, who has revived Outer Heaven. Battling his deteriorating health and the FOXDIE virus, Snake confronts his nemesis in a climactic showdown.

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

11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

The series concludes with Raiden, now a cyborg, working for Maverick Security Consulting. After being attacked by Desperado Enforcement, Raiden uncovers dark secrets and seeks justice against his adversaries.

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?

Although it seemed the series had ended, Konami is bringing back Metal Gear with a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, this modern reimagining is set to release on August 28, 2025. While no new original games have been confirmed without Hideo Kojima's involvement, Virtuous Studios, the developer behind the remake, hinted at the possibility of remaking other Metal Gear titles based on fan 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.

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