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, often cited as pivotal in the evolution of video games.
Following Kojima's departure from Konami in 2015 and the seemingly conclusive Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Konami has reignited the franchise with re-releases and remakes, including the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. This resurgence introduces a new wave of players to the world of covert operations, shadowy government conspiracies, and charismatic, eyepatched operatives. To help both newcomers and veterans navigate this expansive universe, we present the chronological order of the main Metal Gear Solid storyline.
Jump to:
Chronological Play OrderRelease Order Play OrderHow Many Metal Gear Games Exist?
IGN Metal Gear Reviews
19 Images
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 narrative or presenting alternate timelines.
Metal Gear Survive (2018), set in a zombie-infested post-apocalypse, is outside the main canon. The PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 offer unique, alternate storylines. 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.
Where to Begin Your Metal Gear Journey?
Two entry points are recommended. For the complete saga, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 (2023) 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.
Prime Day Deal### Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 (PS5)
5See it at Amazon
Metal Gear Games: Chronological Order
(Minor spoilers ahead)
1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
This Cold War-era prequel introduces Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative tasked with retrieving a Soviet scientist and preventing the creation of a devastating weapon. His mission leads him to confront his mentor, The Boss, who has defected. Naked Snake's journey culminates in his transformation into Big Boss, a legendary soldier grappling with 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 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 lays 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), defending vulnerable nations. He confronts the Peace Sentinels, a militia possessing nuclear weapons and a powerful mech, uncovering a connection to The Boss and the machinations of Cipher.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
This prologue to The Phantom Pain sees Big Boss rescuing Paz, only to face a devastating attack on Motherbase by XOF, led by the ruthless Skull Face.
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 Diamond Dogs against XOF and Skull Face's devastating parasitic weapon. The game concludes with Big Boss's plans to establish 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 destroy a nuclear-capable Metal Gear, revealing Big Boss's role in the conflict.
Read our review of Metal Gear.
7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
Solid Snake confronts Big Boss and a new Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land.
See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.
8. Metal Gear Solid
Solid Snake infiltrates Shadow Moses Island to stop FOXHOUND's threat of nuclear annihilation, facing off against iconic antagonists.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid or see more of the best PS1 games.
9. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
This entry features Solid Snake and Raiden, investigating the hijacking of Big Shell and uncovering deeper conspiracies involving the Patriots and Liquid Ocelot.
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
Solid Snake's final mission sees him confronting Liquid Ocelot and the remnants of Outer Heaven, battling his aging body and the FOXDIE virus.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.
11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Raiden, now a cyborg, confronts Desperado Enforcement, uncovering dark secrets within the private military sector.
Read our review of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
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 has confirmed a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, slated for release on August 28, 2025. The possibility of further remakes remains open, dependent on player demand.
Complete Metal Gear Playlist
This section lists all standalone Metal Gear games and spin-offs in release order. (Image gallery follows, similar to original input).
For more game order lists, see Assassin's Creed Games in Order and Far Cry Games in Order.
