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

From Snake's daring ascent in Shadow Moses to the climactic showdown in Snake Eater, the Metal Gear saga boasts some of gaming's most iconic moments. Spanning generations and pushing gaming boundaries, Solid Snake and Big Boss's adventures are legendary, considered by many as pivotal in the medium's history.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015) seemingly concluded the franchise, with Kojima's departure from Konami. However, Konami's reviving the series with re-releases and remakes, including Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, launching later this year. This influx of new players necessitates a chronological guide for both newcomers and veterans.

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Chronological Play OrderRelease Order Play OrderHow Many Metal Gear Games Are There?

IGN Metal Gear Reviews

19 ImagesExcluding remakes, ports, and remasters, the Metal Gear universe comprises 17 games: 11 mainline titles, five handheld installments, and one mobile game. Many are considered non-canon, diverging from the main storyline.

Metal Gear Survive (2018), set in a zombie-infested world, is outside the main canon. The PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 are alternate-timeline spin-offs. Metal Gear: Ghost Babel (Game Boy Color) is an alternate universe sequel, disregarding Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge are officially deemed non-canon.

This leaves 11 core storyline games. They form the true Metal Gear Saga, spanning from the 1960s to the late 2010s.

Where to Begin Your Metal Gear Journey?

Two starting points are recommended. For the complete saga, the 2023 Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 offers the best versions of Metal Gear Solid 1–3. Alternatively, for a more contemporary entry point, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is a suitable starting point.

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5See it at AmazonMetal Gear Games: Chronological Order

Brief summaries below contain minor spoilers.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

The Cold War forms the backdrop for Snake Eater, featuring Naked Snake's mission to extract a Soviet scientist. His encounter with his mentor, The Boss, leads to betrayal and a desperate fight for survival. Naked Snake's journey culminates in his transformation into Big Boss, though his experiences leave him disillusioned.

Read our Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Review or check for updates on the remake.

2. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

Six years later, Big Boss confronts his rogue FOX Unit. Imprisoned and accused of treason, he clears his name, uncovering Gene's ambition to create Army's Heaven. This sets the stage for Big Boss's formation of FOXHOUND.

Read our Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops review.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Four years on, Big Boss leads Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) against the Peace Sentinels in Costa Rica. The conflict reveals The Boss's involvement and the existence of nuclear weapons. The game concludes with Big Boss facing Paz, a Cipher agent.

Read our Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker review.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Serving as a prologue to The Phantom Pain, Ground Zeroes sees Big Boss rescuing Paz from Camp Omega. He encounters XOF, led by Skull Face, resulting in the destruction of Motherbase.

Read our Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes review.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years later, a wounded Big Boss (Venom Snake) leads Diamond Dogs against XOF and Skull Face's parasitic weapon. The game culminates in Big Boss's plan to establish Outer Heaven.

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

6. Metal Gear

Solid Snake's first mission involves infiltrating Outer Heaven to stop a new Metal Gear. He encounters Grey Fox and ultimately confronts Big Boss, revealing the latter's role in Outer Heaven's machinations.

Read our Metal Gear review.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Solid Snake confronts Big Boss and his new Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land.

Learn more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Solid Snake battles the rogue FOXHOUND at Shadow Moses, facing Ocelot, Psycho Mantis, Grey Fox, and Liquid Snake.

Read our Metal Gear Solid review or explore the best PS1 games.

9. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Solid Snake and Raiden investigate the Big Shell hijacking by the Sons of Liberty, uncovering deeper conspiracies involving Ocelot and the Patriots.

Read our Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty review or explore the best PS2 games.

10. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Old Snake's final mission involves confronting Liquid Ocelot and his new Outer Heaven.

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

11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Raiden, now a cyborg, confronts Desperado Enforcement and uncovers their dark secrets.

Read our Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance review.

Metal Gear Games: Release Order

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)The Future of Metal Gear

While the series' future seemed uncertain, Konami confirmed a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, launching August 28, 2025. The possibility of further remakes depends on player demand.

Complete Metal Gear Game List

Below is a complete list of standalone Metal Gear games and spin-offs, in release order.

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