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

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

Author: Nicholas Apr 18,2025

From the iconic elevator ride to the rainy cliffs of Shadow Moses in Metal Gear Solid to the gripping final showdown in Snake Eater, Hideo Kojima and Konami's Metal Gear series has delivered some of the most memorable moments in video game history. Spanning multiple console generations, the saga of Solid Snake and Big Boss has pushed the boundaries of storytelling in gaming, cementing its place as a cornerstone of the medium.

In 2015, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain seemed to conclude the franchise, with Hideo Kojima parting ways with Konami to start his own studio. However, Konami has since revitalized the series with re-releases and remakes, such as the upcoming 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 with eyepatches, we've outlined the chronological order of the Metal Gear Solid series to help both newcomers and returning fans get up to speed.

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, and remasters, the Metal Gear series boasts 17 games in total: 11 mainline entries, five on handheld devices, and one mobile game. While this is a substantial number, several are considered non-canon, diverging from the main storyline to explore alternate narratives.

For instance, Metal Gear Survive (2018) is set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by a zombie virus, placing it outside the main canon. Similarly, Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 on the PSP, along with Metal Gear: Ghost Babel on the Game Boy Color, offer alternate timelines that deviate from the main saga. Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge have also been officially recognized as non-canon.

This leaves 11 games that form the core of the Metal Gear Saga, unfolding from a fictional alternate history in the 1960s through to the late 2010s. Let's explore these games in chronological order.

Which Metal Gear Should You Play First?

For those eager to delve into the entire saga, we suggest starting with the 2023 release, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, which includes the definitive versions of Metal Gear Solid 1–3. If you're more interested in a modern entry point, or if older games aren't your preference, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is an excellent place to start.

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

5See it at AmazonMetal Gear Games in Chronological Order

These descriptions contain mild spoilers for each game, including characters, settings, and key plot points.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Set during the Cold War, Snake Eater introduces us to Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative tasked with extracting a Russian scientist to thwart the development of the Shagohod, a weapon of mass destruction. Betrayed by his mentor, The Boss, who has defected to the Soviets, Naked Snake faces a grueling battle in the jungle. Surviving his initial defeat, he is ordered to return, confront The Boss, and destroy the Shagohod to prevent nuclear catastrophe. By the end, Naked Snake emerges as Big Boss, revered yet disillusioned by the secrets he uncovers.

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 later, Big Boss finds himself betrayed by his former unit, FOX. Captured and accused of treason, he escapes and seeks to clear his name by confronting FOX's new leader, Gene. His journey leads him to uncover Gene's plan to create Army's Heaven, a nation of mercenary soldiers. Big Boss thwarts this plan and uses the amassed resources to establish 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 and founded Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) with Kazuhira Miller. They engage in operations to protect countries unable to defend themselves, facing off against the Peace Sentinels in Costa Rica. The investigation reveals the Sentinels' connection to The Boss and their control over the nuclear-capable mech, Peace Walker. Big Boss's mission culminates in a battle with Paz, a Cipher agent infiltrating MSF.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Following the events of Peace Walker, Ground Zeroes serves as a prologue to The Phantom Pain. Big Boss learns that Paz survived their previous encounter and is being held at Camp Omega by Cipher. During the rescue, he encounters XOF, led by the menacing Skull Face. The mission ends with the destruction of Motherbase and the near-death of Big Boss.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years later, Big Boss, now known as Venom Snake, awakens in a Cyprus hospital and narrowly escapes assassination. Leading the Diamond Dogs, he pursues XOF and Skull Face, who are developing a devastating biological weapon. The game concludes with Big Boss laying the groundwork for Outer Heaven, a haven for soldiers free from governmental manipulation.

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

6. Metal Gear

Eleven years on, the narrative shifts to Solid Snake, a rookie member of FOXHOUND under Big Boss's command. His mission is to infiltrate Outer Heaven and destroy the nuclear-capable mech, Metal Gear. The adventure culminates in a confrontation with Big Boss, revealing his role as the mastermind behind Outer Heaven.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years later, Solid Snake returns to stop Big Boss, who is constructing another Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land. Infiltrating the nation, Snake battles Big Boss's forces and ultimately confronts his mentor again.

See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Six years after Metal Gear 2, Solid Snake is sent to Shadow Moses to stop his former unit, FOXHOUND, which has seized control of a facility housing a new Metal Gear. Facing off against Revolver Ocelot, Psycho Mantis, and others, Snake uncovers a plot involving Big Boss's remains and the nuclear threat. He ultimately escapes, presumed dead.

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, Solid Snake infiltrates an oil tanker to uncover a new Metal Gear Ray. The mission goes awry, and Snake is framed for the tanker's destruction. The story then shifts to Raiden, a FOXHOUND agent sent to the Big Shell facility, where he uncovers a deeper conspiracy involving the Sons of Liberty and Solid Snake, who is working undercover.

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, is on his final mission to assassinate Liquid Ocelot, who has revived Outer Heaven with private military forces. Battling his deteriorating health due to the FOXDIE virus, Snake confronts his nemesis in a climactic 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, Raiden, now a cyborg, works for Maverick Security Consulting. Attacked by Desperado Enforcement, he uncovers sinister secrets and embarks on a quest for vengeance against the private military 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?

Despite seeming to end with The Phantom Pain, the Metal Gear series is far from over. Konami has confirmed a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, set for release on August 28, 2025. This modern reimagining promises to bring Naked Snake's legendary battle with The Boss to new audiences.

As for new entries, while nothing is confirmed, Virtuous Studios, the developer behind the Snake Eater remake, has hinted at the possibility of remaking 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.

See All1