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

From the iconic elevator ascent in Shadow Moses to the climactic mentor-student confrontation in Snake Eater, Hideo Kojima and Konami's Metal Gear franchise boasts some of the most memorable moments in gaming history. Spanning multiple console generations, the saga of Solid Snake and Big Boss has pushed the boundaries of video game storytelling, earning its place among the medium's most influential titles.

In 2015, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain appeared to mark the end of the series, as Hideo Kojima parted ways with Konami to form his own studio. However, Konami has since revitalized the franchise through re-releases and remakes, including the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, slated for release later this year. As new players dive into this world of espionage, government conspiracies, and iconic characters, we've outlined the chronological order of the Metal Gear Solid series to help both newcomers and returning fans get up to speed.

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• How to play in chronological order
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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, there are 17 Metal Gear games in total: 11 mainline entries, five for handheld devices, and one for mobile. However, not all are considered canon, as some deviate from the main storyline and explore alternate narratives.

Metal Gear Survive, set in an apocalyptic world overrun by a zombie virus, is not part of the main canon. The PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 also diverge from the timeline, creating alternate-universe spin-offs. 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. Additionally, Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge have been deemed non-canon by both the community and Hideo Kojima.

This leaves 11 games within the main storyline, which form 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 best versions of Metal Gear Solid 1–3. For those new to the series or preferring more modern gameplay, we suggest beginning with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, the most recent mainline entry.

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Metal 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. Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative, is tasked with extracting a Russian scientist to prevent the creation of the Shagohod, a weapon of mass destruction. Betrayed by his former mentor, The Boss, who has defected to the Soviets, Snake must survive the jungle, confront The Boss, and stop the Shagohod to avert nuclear war. By the end, Snake adopts the moniker 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, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops follows Big Boss as he confronts his former FOX Unit, now rogue and staging a revolt. Captured and accused of treason, Big Boss escapes and pursues his former allies, led by Gene, who aims to create a mercenary nation called Army's Heaven. Big Boss ultimately acquires 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 formed Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) with Kazuhira Miller. They protect countries unable to defend themselves, clashing with the Peace Sentinels in Costa Rica. Discovering the involvement of The Boss and the threat of the Peace Walker mech, Big Boss and MSF fight to uncover the truth, ending with a confrontation against Paz, a Cipher agent.

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 learns Paz survived their previous encounter and is being interrogated by Cipher at Camp Omega. Infiltrating the base, he encounters XOF, led by Skull Face. The mission ends with MSF's destruction at 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 severely injured Big Boss awakens in a Cyprus hospital, narrowly escaping an assassination attempt. As Venom Snake, he leads the Diamond Dogs to stop XOF and Skull Face, who is developing a parasitic weapon. The game concludes with Big Boss setting the stage for Outer Heaven, a military nation free from government manipulation.

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

6. Metal Gear

Eleven years later, the original Metal Gear introduces Solid Snake, a rookie FOXHOUND member under Big Boss's command. Sent to Outer Heaven to stop the construction of the Metal Gear mech, Snake uncovers Big Boss's betrayal and confronts him.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years after the first game, Solid Snake returns to stop Big Boss, who is building another Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land. Snake infiltrates the nation, battles Big Boss's forces, and destroys the weapon.

See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Six years later, Solid Snake is sent to Shadow Moses to stop a rogue FOXHOUND unit threatening nuclear attack. He battles members like Revolver Ocelot and Psycho Mantis, and confronts Liquid Snake. The mission ends with Snake presumed dead but escaping alive.

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, a rogue Solid Snake infiltrates an oil tanker to stop the transport of Metal Gear Ray, which is stolen by Revolver Ocelot. Two years after that, Raiden, a new FOXHOUND agent, is sent to Big Shell, a facility hijacked by the Sons of Liberty. Raiden uncovers secrets and teams up with Solid Snake to stop Ocelot, who is possessed by Liquid Snake's will.

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 called Old Snake, embarks on his final mission to assassinate Liquid Ocelot, who leads a new Outer Heaven. Battling his deteriorating health due to the FOXDIE virus, Snake confronts Ocelot in a final showdown.

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

11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Four years after Guns of the Patriots, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance follows Raiden, now a cyborg, working for Maverick Security Consulting. Attacked by Desperado Enforcement, Raiden uncovers sinister 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 series had concluded, Konami has announced a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Revealed during PlayStation's 2023 summer showcase, this modern reimagining of Naked Snake's battle with The Boss is set to launch on August 28, 2025, as announced in Sony's February 2025 State of Play.

While Konami has not confirmed new original entries without Hideo Kojima, Virtuous Studios, the developer behind Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, has hinted at potential remakes of other Metal Gear games, stating, "Regarding remakes of previous games in the series other than Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, we will listen to player demand and consider accordingly."

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