MGS Timeline: How to Play Metal Gear Solid Games in Order

The Metal Gear series, created by Hideo Kojima and Konami, is renowned for its groundbreaking storytelling and iconic moments, from Snake's tense elevator ride to the rainy cliffs of Shadow Moses to the dramatic confrontation between student and mentor in the finale of Snake Eater. Spanning multiple console generations, the adventures of Solid Snake and Big Boss have left an indelible mark on the gaming industry, often cited as some of the most influential games ever released.

In 2015, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain appeared to mark the end of the franchise, coinciding with Kojima's departure from Konami to start his own studio. However, Konami has since revitalized the series with re-releases and remakes, such as the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, set to launch later this year. As new players dive into this world of espionage, conspiracy, and iconic characters, we've compiled the chronological order of the Metal Gear Solid series to help both newcomers and returning fans navigate this complex narrative.

Jump to:

• How to play in chronological order
• How to play by release order
• How Many Metal Gear Solid Games Are There?

Every IGN Metal Gear Review

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Excluding remakes, ports, or remasters, the Metal Gear series encompasses 17 games: 11 mainline entries, five on handheld devices, and one on mobile. While this is a substantial number, several are considered non-canon, diverging from the main saga to explore alternate storylines.

Metal Gear Survive, released in 2018, takes place in an apocalyptic setting overrun by a zombie virus and falls outside the main canon. The PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 also deviate from the primary timeline, offering alternate-universe narratives. Metal Gear: Ghost Babel for the Game Boy Color presents an alternate sequel to Metal Gear, disregarding the events of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Lastly, Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge have been deemed non-canon by both the community and Kojima himself.

This leaves 11 games within the main storyline, which constitute the true Metal Gear Saga, covering a fictional alternate history from the 1960s to the late 2010s. Let's explore these games in chronological order.

Which Metal Gear Should You Play First?

For those eager to experience the entire saga, we recommend starting with the 2023 release, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, which includes the definitive versions of Metal Gear Solid 1–3. For those new to the series or who prefer more modern gameplay, starting with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is a great option.

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5See it at AmazonMetal Gear Games in Chronological Order

These blurbs contain mild spoilers for each game, including characters, settings, and story beats.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

The saga begins with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, set during the Cold War. Players follow Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative, on a mission to extract a Russian scientist and prevent the creation of the Shagohod, a weapon of mass destruction. The plot thickens when Snake discovers his mentor, The Boss, has defected to the Soviets. After a fierce battle and subsequent survival in the jungle, Snake is tasked with eliminating The Boss and stopping the Shagohod. By the game's end, Snake adopts the name Big Boss, but his experiences leave 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 Snake Eater, Big Boss confronts his former unit, FOX, which has gone rogue. Captured and accused of treason, Big Boss escapes and seeks to clear his name by pursuing FOX's leader, Gene. The game concludes with Big Boss uncovering Gene's plan to establish Army's Heaven and acquiring the resources to form FOXHOUND.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Four years later, Big Boss has left FOXHOUND and established Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) with Kazuhira Miller. They engage in a conflict with the Peace Sentinels in Costa Rica, uncovering ties to The Boss and the threat of the Peace Walker, a nuclear-capable mech. The game ends with Big Boss confronting Paz, a secret agent of Cipher.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Months after Peace Walker, Big Boss learns Paz survived their last encounter and is being interrogated by Cipher at Camp Omega. His mission to extract her leads to the discovery of XOF, led by Skull Face. The prologue ends with MSF's destruction and Big Boss on the brink of death.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years later, Big Boss, now Venom Snake, leads the Diamond Dogs to stop XOF and Skull Face, who aims to deploy a devastating parasitic weapon. The game concludes with Big Boss initiating plans for Outer Heaven, a sanctuary for soldiers free from governmental manipulation.

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

6. Metal Gear

Eleven years later, Solid Snake, a rookie FOXHOUND member, is sent to Outer Heaven to dismantle the Metal Gear mech capable of launching nuclear strikes. His mission intertwines with Grey Fox and ultimately leads to a confrontation with Big Boss, revealing his role in Outer Heaven.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years on, Solid Snake returns to thwart Big Boss's new Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land, fighting through enemy forces to destroy the weapon.

See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Six years after Metal Gear 2, Solid Snake is dispatched to Shadow Moses to stop a rogue FOXHOUND unit threatening nuclear strikes. He battles iconic foes and uncovers deeper conspiracies, eventually escaping presumed death.

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 uncover a new Metal Gear, only to be framed for its destruction. The narrative shifts to Raiden at the Big Shell facility, where he uncovers secrets and teams up with Snake to thwart the Sons of Liberty 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 after Sons of Liberty, an aging Solid Snake, now dubbed Old Snake, embarks on his final mission to stop Liquid Ocelot's new Outer Heaven. Battling his deteriorating health and the FOXDIE virus, Snake seeks to thwart Ocelot's plans involving Big Boss's remains.

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

11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Four years after Guns of the Patriots, Raiden, now a cyborg, works for Maverick Security Consulting. After an attack by Desperado Enforcement, he uncovers dark secrets and seeks justice against the group.

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 Metal Gear series had concluded, Konami announced a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, slated for release on August 28, 2025. While no new original games have been confirmed, the developers at Virtuous Studios hinted that further remakes could be considered 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 All1Metal Gear (MSX)Konami2Metal GearKonami3Snake's RevengeKonami4Metal Gear 2: Solid SnakeKonami5Metal Gear SolidKonami6Metal Gear Solid: VR MissionsKonami7Metal Gear Solid [2000]Konami OSA (KCEO)8Metal Gear Solid IntegralKonami9Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of LibertyKCEJ10The Document of Metal Gear Solid 2Konami

For more lists like these, also see Assassin's Creed Games in Order and a list of Far Cry Games in order.