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 influential works.

Following Kojima's departure from Konami in 2015 and the seemingly final chapter with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Konami has re-ignited 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 espionage, government conspiracies, and iconic characters, we've compiled a chronological guide to the Metal Gear Solid series 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 seemingly extensive, a significant portion is considered non-canon, diverging from the main storyline or presenting alternate interpretations of the universe.

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

This leaves 11 core games forming the main storyline, spanning a fictional alternate history from the 1960s to the late 2010s. Let's explore this compelling saga.

Where Should You Begin Your Metal Gear Journey?

We suggest two starting points. For the complete saga, the 2023 Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, containing the best versions of Metal Gear Solid 1-3, is ideal. Alternatively, for a more contemporary entry point, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain offers a fantastic introduction to the series' mechanics and themes.

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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

Launching us into 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. His mission: locate and extract a Soviet scientist to prevent the creation of the Shagohod, a devastating weapon of mass destruction. However, he uncovers a betrayal—his mentor, The Boss, has defected to the Soviet Union.

After a brutal defeat, Snake must survive, track down The Boss, and prevent nuclear war. His journey culminates in his adoption of the Big Boss persona, a legendary figure within the US Special Forces. Yet, the events leave him disillusioned with his duty and the government he serves.

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 showdown with The Boss, Big Boss confronts his rogue former squad, FOX Unit. Captured and accused of treason, he must clear his name by hunting down his former allies and their ruthless leader, Gene. His success lays the groundwork for his future endeavors, setting the stage for the creation of FOXHOUND.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Four years later, Big Boss, having left FOXHOUND and the Patriots, leads Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) alongside Kazuhira Miller. Their mission: protect vulnerable nations from the Peace Sentinels, a militia wielding nuclear weapons and the powerful Peace Walker mech. This conflict reveals further connections to The Boss and the shadowy organization, Cipher.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Serving as a prologue to *The Phantom Pain*, *Ground Zeroes* finds Big Boss extracting Paz, who survived the events of *Peace Walker*, from Camp Omega, a Cipher military base. This infiltration unveils the sinister XOF, led by Skull Face, and sets the stage for the devastating attack on Motherbase.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years after the destruction of Motherbase, a severely injured Big Boss, now operating as Venom Snake, leads Diamond Dogs against the rogue XOF and their leader, Skull Face, who is developing a devastating parasitic weapon. The game culminates in Big Boss's plans to establish Outer Heaven.

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

6. Metal Gear

Eleven years later, Solid Snake, a rookie FOXHOUND operative under Big Boss's command, infiltrates Outer Heaven to destroy a new Metal Gear. His mission reveals the true nature of Outer Heaven and its leader's plans.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years later, Snake confronts Big Boss and his new Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land.

See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Six years after *Metal Gear 2*, Snake faces his rogue former unit, FOXHOUND, at Shadow Moses Island, battling iconic characters like Revolver Ocelot and Psycho Mantis.

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, Snake and a new protagonist, Raiden, confront the Sons of Liberty at Big Shell, unraveling a complex conspiracy involving 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

Three years later, an aging Solid Snake, now known as Old Snake, embarks on his final mission against Liquid Ocelot and the Patriots.

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

11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Four years after *Metal Gear Solid 4*, Raiden, now a cyborg, confronts Desperado Enforcement.

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?

While the future of the *Metal Gear* series beyond remakes remains uncertain, Konami's commitment to revisiting the past is evident with *Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater*, set for release on August 28, 2025. The possibility of further remakes hinges 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.