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

The iconic Metal Gear saga, a masterclass in espionage thrillers from Hideo Kojima and Konami, boasts some of gaming's most memorable moments. From Snake's daring ascent in Shadow Moses to the climactic showdown in Snake Eater, the series pushed gaming's narrative and technical boundaries across multiple console generations. Solid Snake and Big Boss's adventures are legendary, considered by many to be pivotal in the medium's history.

Following Kojima's departure from Konami in 2015, and the seemingly final chapter with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Konami has revived the franchise with re-releases and remakes, including the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. This resurgence introduces a new generation to a world of covert operations, shadowy government conspiracies, and charismatic characters. To help both newcomers and veterans navigate this extensive universe, we present the chronological order of the main Metal Gear Solid games.

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

Metal Gear Survive (2018), set in a zombie-infested post-apocalyptic world, is outside the main continuity. The PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 offer distinct, alternate timelines. Similarly, 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 from the 1960s to the late 2010s in an alternate historical context. Let's explore this pivotal narrative arc.

Where to Begin Your Metal Gear Journey?

Two starting points are recommended. For a complete saga experience, 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 to the franchise.

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Note: The following descriptions may contain minor spoilers.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Chronologically first, and soon to receive a modern remake, Snake Eater follows Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative, during the Cold War. His mission: retrieve a Russian scientist to prevent the creation of the Shagohod, a devastating weapon. However, he discovers his mentor, The Boss, has defected. This leads to a pivotal confrontation, shaping Naked Snake's transformation into the legendary Big Boss.

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 Snake Eater, Big Boss confronts his rogue FOX Unit. Imprisoned and accused of treason, he must clear his name, hunt down his former comrades, and ultimately lay the groundwork for his future mercenary army.

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) against the Peace Sentinels in Costa Rica. This conflict unveils further connections to The Boss and a powerful new weapon, the Peace Walker.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Serving as a prologue to The Phantom Pain, Big Boss infiltrates Camp Omega to rescue Paz, uncovering the XOF and its ruthless leader, Skull Face. This sets the stage for the events of the next game.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years after Peace Walker, a wounded Big Boss, now Venom Snake, leads Diamond Dogs against XOF and Skull Face's devastating new weapon. This culminates in the creation of Outer Heaven.

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

6. Metal Gear

Solid Snake's first mission takes him to Outer Heaven to confront a new Metal Gear. This introduces the core conflict and reveals Big Boss's involvement.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years later, Snake faces 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. This introduces iconic characters and a pivotal conflict.

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, Snake and Raiden confront Metal Gear Ray and the Sons of Liberty, uncovering deeper conspiracies involving 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 Old Snake, embarks on his final mission against Liquid Ocelot and the remnants of Outer Heaven.

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, confronts Desperado Enforcement.

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 future of original Metal Gear titles remains uncertain without Kojima's involvement, Konami has confirmed the Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater remake, launching August 28, 2025. The developers have also hinted at the possibility of remaking other Metal Gear games based on player demand.

Complete Metal Gear Playlist

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

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