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, Hideo Kojima and Konami's Metal Gear saga boasts some of gaming's most iconic moments. Spanning generations and pushing gaming's creative boundaries, Solid Snake and Big Boss's adventures are legendary, considered by many to be 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 revitalization efforts, including the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater remake, introduce the series to a new generation. This guide provides a chronological order for both newcomers and veterans to experience this world of espionage, conspiracy, and charismatic characters.

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

Every IGN Metal Gear Review

19 ImagesExcluding remakes, ports, and remasters, the Metal Gear universe comprises 17 games: 11 mainline titles, five handheld entries, and one mobile game. However, 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 offer alternate timelines. Metal Gear: Ghost Babel (Game Boy Color) presents an alternate universe, disregarding Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge are also deemed non-canon.

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

Where to Begin Your Metal Gear Journey?

We suggest two starting points. 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 modern entry point, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain provides a compelling introduction.

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5See it at AmazonMetal Gear Games: Chronological Order

Mild spoilers follow.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

The Cold War forms the backdrop for Snake Eater, following 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 transformation into Big Boss is pivotal, yet leaves 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 the 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 MSF, battling the Peace Sentinels and uncovering The Boss's involvement. The conflict reveals Cipher's influence and Paz's hidden role.

Read our Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker review.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Ground Zeroes serves as a prologue to The Phantom Pain. Big Boss extracts Paz, only to face a devastating attack by XOF, led by Skull Face.

Read our Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes review.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years later, a wounded Big Boss, now Venom Snake, leads Diamond Dogs against XOF and Skull Face's parasitic weapon. The game concludes with Big Boss's plans for 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 destroy Metal Gear. His confrontation with Big Boss reveals the truth behind Outer Heaven's creation.

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 iconic enemies like Revolver Ocelot and Psycho Mantis.

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 incident, uncovering the Patriots' machinations and Liquid Ocelot's schemes.

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 targets Liquid Ocelot and his new Outer Heaven. The game concludes Solid Snake's saga.

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

11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Raiden's cyborg journey continues, focusing on his fight against Desperado Enforcement and uncovering 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 the Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater remake, launching August 28, 2025. The possibility of further remakes remains open, contingent on player demand.

Complete Metal Gear Playlist

This playlist showcases all standalone Metal Gear games and spin-offs in release order. Log in to rank, track progress, or plan your playthrough.See All1