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

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

By Olivia: May 12,2025

The Metal Gear series, masterminded by Hideo Kojima and developed by Konami, is renowned for its gripping narrative and iconic moments, from Snake's intense elevator ascent in the rain-soaked cliffs of Shadow Moses to the emotional showdown between student and mentor in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Spanning multiple console generations, the adventures of Solid Snake and Big Boss have not only pushed the boundaries of video game storytelling but have also cemented their place as some of the most influential titles in gaming history.

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. With new re-releases and remakes, such as Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater slated for later this year, it's an exciting time for both newcomers and returning fans. To help you navigate this legendary saga, we've outlined the chronological order of the Metal Gear Solid series.

Jump to:

How to play in chronological order
How to play by release order

How Many Metal Gear Solid Games Are There?

19 Images

Excluding remakes, ports, or remasters, there are 17 Metal Gear games in total: 11 mainline games, five on handheld devices, and one mobile title. However, several of these are considered non-canon, diverging from the main storyline and exploring alternate narratives.

For instance, Metal Gear Survive (2018) takes place in an apocalyptic world overrun by a zombie virus, making it non-canon. The PSP titles Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 also veer off the main timeline, serving as alternate spin-offs. Metal Gear: Ghost Babel on the Game Boy Color presents an alternate universe that negates the events of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, thus excluding it from the main timeline. Additionally, Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge have been declared non-canon by both the community and Kojima himself.

This leaves us with 11 games within the main storyline, which form the true Metal Gear Saga. This saga spans from the 1960s to the late 2010s. Let's explore these games in chronological order.

Which Metal Gear Should You Play First?

For those looking to dive into the complete saga, we recommend starting with the 2023 release, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1. This collection includes the best available versions of Metal Gear Solid 1–3. Alternatively, for those seeking a more modern entry point into the series, especially if older games aren't your preference, we suggest beginning with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, which offers a contemporary take on the franchise.

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

5See it at Amazon

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. His mission is complicated when he discovers that his former mentor, The Boss, has defected to the Soviets. After a brutal confrontation, Snake is left for dead but manages to return and complete his mission, ultimately becoming known as Big Boss. The experience leaves him disillusioned with 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

Six years later, Big Boss confronts his former FOX Unit, now rogue, in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops. Captured and accused of treason, he escapes and aims to clear his name by pursuing FOX Unit's leader, Gene, who plans to create Army's Heaven, a nation of mercenary soldiers. Big Boss 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 lead Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) with Kazuhira Miller. They wage war against the Peace Sentinels in Costa Rica, uncovering a plot involving nuclear weapons and the Peace Walker mech. The Boss's involvement adds a personal layer to the conflict, and Big Boss battles Paz, a Cipher agent.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Following Peace Walker, Ground Zeroes serves as a prologue to The Phantom Pain. Big Boss learns that Paz survived their previous encounter and is being interrogated by Cipher at Camp Omega. During his rescue mission, he encounters the XOF, led by Skull Face. The mission ends with Motherbase under attack, leaving Big Boss critically injured.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years after Ground Zeroes, Big Boss, now known as Venom Snake, leads the Diamond Dogs to stop XOF and Skull Face, who are working on a parasitic weapon. The game concludes with Big Boss setting the stage 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 original Metal Gear introduces Solid Snake, a FOXHOUND rookie sent to Outer Heaven to stop the development of a nuclear-capable mech, also named Metal Gear. He confronts Big Boss, who is revealed as the mastermind behind Outer Heaven.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years after, Solid Snake returns in Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake to thwart Big Boss, who has survived and is now building another Metal Gear for Zanzibar Land. Snake infiltrates the nation to destroy the weapon and confront Big Boss once more.

See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Six years later, Solid Snake faces his former FOXHOUND unit, now rogue, at Shadow Moses in Metal Gear Solid. They demand Big Boss's body and ransom, threatening to use a new Metal Gear. Snake battles various members, including Revolver Ocelot and Psycho Mantis, and confronts Liquid Snake. He survives and is declared dead by the government.

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 stop a new Metal Gear Ray in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. After the tanker is sunk and Snake is blamed, the story shifts to Raiden, a FOXHOUND agent, at the Big Shell facility. Raiden uncovers the facility's secrets and teams up with Solid Snake to stop Revolver Ocelot, now possessed by Liquid Snake, 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, embarks on his final mission in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. He aims to assassinate Liquid Ocelot, who leads a new version of Outer Heaven. Snake battles his deteriorating condition and the FOXDIE virus as he heads toward a final confrontation.

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. After an attack by Desperado Enforcement, Raiden uncovers dark secrets about the private military group and sets out for justice.

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 the seeming conclusion of the series, Konami has announced a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Showcased during PlayStation's 2023 summer event, this remake promises a modern reimagining of Naked Snake's battle with The Boss, set for release on August 28, 2025.

While Konami has not confirmed new original entries without Kojima, Virtuous Studios, the developer behind Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, 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.

See All1Metal Gear (MSX)Konami2Metal GearKonami3Snake's RevengeKonami4Metal Gear 2: Solid SnakeKonami5Metal Gear SolidKonami6Metal Gear Solid: VR MissionsKonami7Metal Gear Solid [2000]Konami OSA (KCEO)8Metal Gear Solid IntegralKonami9Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of LibertyKCEJ10The Document of Metal Gear Solid 2Konami