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

The Metal Gear saga, a cornerstone of gaming history, features iconic moments from Snake's perilous climb in Shadow Moses to the heartbreaking confrontation in Snake Eater. Spanning generations of consoles and pushing gaming's creative boundaries, Solid Snake and Big Boss's adventures are legendary, considered by many to be among the medium's most significant contributions.

Following Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami in 2015, the franchise's future seemed uncertain after Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. However, Konami has revived the series with re-releases and remakes, such as the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. This resurgence introduces a new wave of players to the world of covert operations, government conspiracies, and charismatic, eyepatched operatives. To help both newcomers and veterans navigate this rich universe, we've compiled a chronological order of the main Metal Gear Solid games.

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Excluding remakes, ports, and remasters, the Metal Gear franchise boasts 17 titles: 11 mainline entries, five handheld games, and one mobile game. However, a significant portion are considered non-canon, diverging from the main storyline or presenting alternate interpretations of the universe.

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 events from Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Finally, Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge are officially deemed non-canon.

This leaves 11 games within the core storyline, spanning a fictional alternate history from the 1960s to the late 2010s. Let's explore this chronological order.

Where to Begin Your Metal Gear Journey?

We suggest two entry 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 experience, start with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.

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Minor spoilers ahead for each game's characters, settings, and plot points.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Chronologically first, and soon to receive a modern remake, Snake Eater follows Naked Snake during the Cold War. His mission to extract a Soviet scientist leads to a shocking betrayal by his mentor, The Boss. Surviving a brutal encounter, Snake must return to Russia, confront his mentor, and prevent nuclear war. This journey transforms Naked Snake into Big Boss, a legend marred by disillusionment.

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 after his confrontation with The Boss, Big Boss faces a revolt within his FOX Unit. Imprisoned and accused of treason, he must clear his name, hunt down his former allies, and confront their leader, Gene. This leads to Big Boss's acquisition of resources and the eventual formation of FOXHOUND.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Four years later, Big Boss leads Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) alongside Kazuhira Miller. Their mission to protect vulnerable nations pits them against the Peace Sentinels, who possess nuclear weapons and a powerful mech, the Peace Walker. The game reveals further connections to The Boss and the shadowy organization, Cipher.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Serving as a prologue to The Phantom Pain, Ground Zeroes sees Big Boss infiltrate Camp Omega to rescue Paz. This mission unveils the XOF, led by Skull Face, and culminates in a devastating attack on Motherbase.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years later, a wounded Big Boss, now Venom Snake, leads the Diamond Dogs against XOF and Skull Face's devastating parasitic weapon. The game concludes with Big Boss laying the groundwork for Outer Heaven.

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

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, uncovering the truth behind Outer Heaven.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Solid Snake returns to confront Big Boss and a new Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land.

See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Snake infiltrates Shadow Moses to stop FOXHOUND's threat. He faces familiar foes and the enigmatic Liquid Snake.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid or see more of the best PS1 games.

9. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

The game follows Solid Snake and Raiden in separate missions, uncovering conspiracies and the machinations of Liquid Ocelot 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

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

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

11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

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

Read our review of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.

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?

While the series' future seemed uncertain, Konami has confirmed a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, set for release on August 28, 2025. The possibility of further remakes remains open, depending on player demand.

Complete Metal Gear Playlist

Here's a complete list of standalone Metal Gear games and spin-offs, in release order.

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For more game order lists, see Assassin's Creed Games in Order and Far Cry Games in Order.