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 boasts some of gaming's most iconic moments. Spanning generations and pushing the boundaries of video game storytelling, Solid Snake and Big Boss's adventures are legendary, often cited among the medium's most significant contributions.

Following Kojima's departure from Konami in 2015 and the seemingly conclusive Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Konami has reignited 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, government intrigue, and charismatic, eyepatched heroes, we've compiled a chronological guide to the Metal Gear Solid series for both newcomers and seasoned veterans.

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How Many Metal Gear Solid Games Are There?

Every IGN Metal Gear Review

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Excluding remakes, ports, and remasters, the Metal Gear universe comprises 17 games: 11 mainline titles, five handheld installments, and one mobile game. While extensive, a significant portion is considered non-canon, their narratives diverging from the main saga to explore unique interpretations of the universe.

Metal Gear Survive (2018), set in a zombie-infested apocalypse, sits outside the main canon. The PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 present alternate timelines and stories. Similarly, the Game Boy Color's Metal Gear: Ghost Babel, an alternate-universe sequel, retcons the events of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, removing it from the main timeline. Finally, Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge are officially deemed non-canon.

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

Which Metal Gear Should You Play First?

Two entry points are recommended. For the complete saga, begin with 2023's Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, featuring enhanced versions of Metal Gear Solid 1-3. Alternatively, for a more contemporary experience, start with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.

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Metal Gear Games in Chronological Order

These blurbs contain mild spoilers regarding characters, settings, and plot points.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Launching the saga chronologically, 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 weapon of mass destruction, Snake discovers his mentor, The Boss, has defected.

After a devastating defeat, Snake is tasked by Zero to eliminate The Boss, while simultaneously preventing nuclear war. Emerging victorious, Naked Snake becomes Big Boss, a legend in US Special Forces. However, the conflict with The Boss and the uncovered secrets leave him disillusioned.

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 former unit, FOX Unit. Captured and accused of treason, Big Boss escapes and hunts down his former allies, ultimately uncovering their leader Gene's ambition to create Army's Heaven, a mercenary nation. This sets the stage for Big Boss's formation 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. They confront the Peace Sentinels, a militia invading Costa Rica and wielding the powerful Peace Walker mech. The investigation reveals The Boss's involvement and Cipher's manipulation, culminating in a battle 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*, Ground Zeroes sees Big Boss infiltrating Camp Omega to extract Paz, who survived the events of *Peace Walker*. The mission uncovers the XOF, led by Skull Face, and a devastating parasitic weapon. The prologue ends with a devastating 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 to confront the rogue XOF and Skull Face, who seeks to unleash a world-ending 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

Eleven years later, Solid Snake, a FOXHOUND rookie under Big Boss, infiltrates Outer Heaven to destroy a nuclear-capable Metal Gear. He encounters Grey Fox and ultimately confronts Big Boss, revealing his role in Outer Heaven's creation.

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 confronts the rogue FOXHOUND at Shadow Moses Island, battling against Ocelot, Psycho Mantis, Grey Fox, 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

Two years later, Snake investigates a new Metal Gear, leading to the introduction of Raiden and the Big Shell incident, involving the Sons of Liberty and Ocelot's manipulation.

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 Snake, now Old Snake, confronts Liquid Ocelot and his new Outer Heaven.

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 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?

Konami has confirmed a remake of *Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater*, *Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater*, slated for August 28, 2025. The developer, Virtuous Studios, has hinted at potential remakes of other titles 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

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