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

From the thrilling elevator ascent to the rainy cliffs of Shadow Moses in Metal Gear Solid to the gripping final confrontation between student and mentor in Snake Eater, Hideo Kojima and Konami's epic spy thriller franchise, Metal Gear, has delivered some of the most iconic moments in gaming history. Spanning multiple console generations, the saga of Solid Snake and Big Boss has pushed the boundaries of video game storytelling and creativity, cementing its place as one of the most influential series in the medium.

In 2015, the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain seemed to mark the end of the franchise, as Hideo Kojima parted ways with Konami to establish his own studio. However, Konami has since reignited interest in the series with re-releases and remakes, including the much-anticipated Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater set to launch later this year. As new players dive into this world of espionage, government conspiracies, and iconic characters, understanding the chronological order of the Metal Gear Solid series can 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

19 ImagesExcluding remakes, ports, or remasters, there are 17 Metal Gear games in total: 11 mainline entries, five on handheld devices, and one mobile game. While this number seems daunting, many of these games are considered non-canon, as they deviate from the main storyline and offer alternate takes on the universe.

For instance, 2018's Metal Gear Survive unfolds in an apocalyptic setting with a zombie virus outbreak, making it non-canon. The PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 diverge from the main timeline, creating alternate spin-offs. Similarly, Metal Gear: Ghost Babel on the Game Boy Color presents an alternate universe that negates the events of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, and both Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge have been deemed non-canon by the community and Hideo Kojima himself.

This leaves 11 games within the main storyline, forming the true Metal Gear Saga that spans from the 1960s to the late 2010s. Let's explore the chronological order of these games.

Which Metal Gear Should You Play First?

For those eager to dive into the entire saga, we recommend starting with the 2023 release, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, which includes the best available versions of Metal Gear Solid 1–3. If you're looking to dip your toes into the series with a more modern entry, or if older games aren't your cup of tea, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is a great starting point.

Prime Day Deal### Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 (PS5)

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

Kicking off the saga's timeline, and soon to receive a modern remake, Snake Eater follows US Special Forces operative Naked Snake during the Cold War. Tasked with extracting a Russian scientist to prevent the creation of the Shagohod, a weapon of mass destruction, Snake is shocked to discover his mentor, The Boss, has defected to the Soviets.

After a fierce battle leaves Snake for dead in the jungle, he's ordered to return, confront The Boss, and thwart the Shagohod's nuclear threat. By the end, Naked Snake becomes Big Boss, a legendary figure, though the ordeal leaves him questioning his loyalty to the 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

Set six years after Snake Eater, Portable Ops sees Big Boss facing his former FOX Unit, now rogue and staging a revolt. Captured and accused of treason, Big Boss escapes and sets out to clear his name by pursuing FOX's leader, Gene. He uncovers Gene's plan to establish Army's Heaven, a nation for mercenaries, and acquires the resources to later form FOXHOUND.

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 to form Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) with Kazuhira Miller. They intervene in Costa Rica against the Peace Sentinels, discovering a connection to The Boss and a nuclear-armed mech, the Peace Walker. Operating from Motherbase, an offshore oil rig, Big Boss battles Paz, revealed to be an agent of Cipher.

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 that Paz survived and is being interrogated at Camp Omega by Cipher. Infiltrating the base, he encounters XOF, led by the sadistic Skull Face. The mission ends tragically with Motherbase's destruction and 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 Cyprus, narrowly escaping assassination. With Revolver Ocelot's help, he forms the Diamond Dogs and, under the codename Venom Snake, tracks XOF to Africa. He learns of Skull Face's plan to unleash a parasitic weapon and begins laying the groundwork for Outer Heaven, a haven for soldiers free from government manipulation.

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

6. Metal Gear

Eleven years later, the saga continues with the original Metal Gear. Rookie FOXHOUND soldier Solid Snake, mentored by Big Boss, is sent to Outer Heaven to stop the construction of the Metal Gear mech, capable of launching nuclear strikes. Discovering the weapon's existence and Big Boss's betrayal, Snake confronts his former mentor.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years later, Solid Snake returns to thwart Big Boss's new Metal Gear project in Zanzibar Land. Teaming up with allies, Snake infiltrates the nation, battling Big Boss's forces and ultimately facing his former commander again.

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 action. He battles members like Revolver Ocelot and Psycho Mantis, eventually confronting Liquid Snake. Declared killed-in-action, Snake escapes, leaving his fate ambiguous.

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 prototype, Metal Gear Ray, which is stolen by Revolver Ocelot. Two years after that, new protagonist Raiden investigates the hijacked Big Shell facility, uncovering its secrets and meeting the mysterious Iroquois Pliskin, who turns out to be Solid Snake. Together, they pursue Ocelot, now possessed by Liquid Snake's will, and the shadowy 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, Solid Snake, now rapidly aging due to cloning and the FOXDIE virus, returns as Old Snake for one last mission. Tasked with assassinating Liquid Ocelot, who leads a new version of Outer Heaven, Snake battles his deteriorating health and confronts his nemesis 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, as he works for Maverick Security Consulting. Attacked by the rival Desperado Enforcement, Raiden uncovers dark secrets about the group and vows to deliver justice, embarking on a solo mission.

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 appeared that the Metal Gear series had concluded, Konami has announced a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Unveiled with a cinematic trailer during PlayStation's 2023 summer showcase, the remake is set to launch on August 28, 2025, as revealed in Sony's February 2025 State of Play.

While Konami hasn't confirmed plans for new original Metal Gear games without Hideo Kojima, Virtuous Studios, the developer behind Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, hinted that remakes of other Metal Gear titles might 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 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.