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

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

Author : Christopher Apr 15,2025

The Metal Gear series, masterminded by Hideo Kojima and Konami, is renowned for its gripping storytelling and iconic moments, from Solid Snake's daring elevator ride in the rain-soaked cliffs of Shadow Moses to the intense mentor-student showdown in Snake Eater. This epic spy thriller spans multiple console generations, pushing the boundaries of video game narratives and cementing Solid Snake and Big Boss as legends in gaming lore. Many consider these games to be among the most influential ever released.

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 remakes and re-releases, such as the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. This resurgence introduces the world of espionage, government conspiracies, and iconic characters to a new audience. To help both newcomers and returning fans navigate this complex universe, we've compiled a chronological guide to the Metal Gear Solid series.

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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, and remasters, the Metal Gear series comprises 17 games: 11 mainline titles, five for handheld devices, and one for mobile. However, several of these games are considered non-canon, as they diverge from the main storyline. Metal Gear Survive, set in a zombie-infested apocalyptic world, falls outside the main canon. Similarly, the PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 explore alternate timelines, while Metal Gear: Ghost Babel on the Game Boy Color offers an alternate universe that contradicts the events of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge are also considered non-canon by both the community and Kojima.

This leaves us with 11 games that form the core Metal Gear Saga, stretching from a fictional alternate-history 1960s to the late 2010s. Let's explore each game in this timeline.

Which Metal Gear Should You Play First?

For those looking to dive into the entire saga, we recommend starting with the 2023's Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, which includes the best versions of Metal Gear Solid 1–3. If you're interested in a more modern entry point or prefer newer gameplay mechanics, start with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.

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Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 (PS5)

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Metal Gear Games in Chronological Order

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

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Set during the Cold War, Snake Eater follows Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative, tasked with extracting a Russian scientist to prevent the creation of the Shagohod, a weapon of mass destruction. Snake is shocked to find his mentor, The Boss, has defected to the Soviets. After a brutal confrontation, Snake survives and is ordered to return to Russia, confront The Boss, and stop the Shagohod. By the game's 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, Big Boss confronts his former unit, FOX, which has gone rogue. Captured and accused of treason, Big Boss escapes and pursues FOX's leader, Gene, who aims to create a mercenary nation called Army's Heaven. Big Boss ultimately acquires the funds and equipment for this project, which he uses to form FOXHOUND upon returning to the US.

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 defend countries unable to protect themselves and confront the Peace Sentinels in Costa Rica, discovering a connection to The Boss and a nuclear-capable mech, the Peace Walker. The game concludes with Big Boss battling 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 previous encounter and is being interrogated by Cipher at Camp Omega. During his rescue attempt, he encounters XOF, led by Skull Face. The mission ends with Motherbase under attack, 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, Big Boss awakens in a Cyprus hospital and narrowly escapes an assassination attempt. Rescued by Revolver Ocelot, he leads the Diamond Dogs in a quest 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 haven for soldiers.

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

6. Metal Gear

Eleven years later, Solid Snake, a rookie FOXHOUND member mentored by Big Boss, is sent to Outer Heaven to stop the construction of a new weapon, Metal Gear, capable of launching nuclear bombs. Discovering Big Boss's betrayal, Snake confronts him.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years after Metal Gear, Solid Snake learns Big Boss is alive and building another Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land. He infiltrates the nation, battles Big Boss, and destroys the weapon.

See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Six years later, Solid Snake returns to battle his former unit, FOXHOUND, which has taken over Shadow Moses Island and threatens nuclear attack. He fights members like Revolver Ocelot and Psycho Mantis, eventually confronting Liquid Snake. The game ends with Snake presumed dead, though he escapes.

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 a new Metal Gear, but the mission goes awry when Revolver Ocelot steals the prototype Metal Gear Ray. Two years after, Raiden, a new FOXHOUND agent, infiltrates Big Shell, a decontamination facility hijacked by the Sons of Liberty. Discovering secrets and meeting Iroquois Pliskin (Snake in disguise), Raiden teams up with Snake to stop 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 after Sons of Liberty, an aging Solid Snake, now called Old Snake, faces his final mission. Tasked with assassinating Liquid Ocelot, who controls a new Outer Heaven, Snake battles his deteriorating health and the FOXDIE virus to confront his nemesis.

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. Attacked by Desperado Enforcement during an operation in Africa, Raiden uncovers sinister secrets and vows to bring them down.

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 was finished, Konami has announced a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, set for release on August 28, 2025. While no new entries have been confirmed, the developer Virtuous Studios has hinted at potential remakes of other Metal Gear games 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.

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