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, frequently cited as pivotal in gaming history.

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, 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 heroes. To help both newcomers and veterans navigate this extensive universe, we present the chronological order of the core Metal Gear Solid series.

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Excluding remakes, ports, and remasters, the Metal Gear franchise comprises 17 titles: 11 mainline 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 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) rewrites events from Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, rendering it non-canonical. Finally, Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge are officially deemed non-canon.

This leaves 11 games within the main narrative, spanning a fictional alternate history from the 1960s to the late 2010s.

Optimal Metal Gear Starting Point

We suggest two entry points. For the complete saga, the 2023 Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, containing enhanced versions of Metal Gear Solid 1-3, is ideal. Alternatively, for a more contemporary experience, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain serves as an excellent introduction.

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Metal Gear Chronological Play Order

(Mild spoilers ahead)

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Set during the Cold War, Snake Eater introduces Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative tasked with retrieving a Russian scientist. His mission unveils a betrayal by his mentor, The Boss, leading to a pivotal confrontation and Snake's transformation into Big Boss.

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 his rogue FOX Unit. Framed for treason, he clears his name, uncovering Gene's ambition to create Army's Heaven, a mercenary army. This sets the stage for the formation of FOXHOUND.

Read our Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops review.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Four years later, Big Boss leads Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) against the Peace Sentinels, uncovering a connection to The Boss and a powerful mech, the Peace Walker. The game concludes with a confrontation with Paz, a Cipher agent.

Read our Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker review.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Serving as a prologue to The Phantom Pain, Ground Zeroes sees Big Boss rescuing Paz from Camp Omega, 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 devastating parasitic weapon. The game culminates in Big Boss's plan to establish Outer Heaven.

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

6. Metal Gear

Eleven years later, Solid Snake, under Big Boss's command, infiltrates Outer Heaven to destroy Metal Gear. The game reveals Big Boss's role in Outer Heaven's creation.

Read our Metal Gear review.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years later, Snake confronts Big Boss and his new Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land.

Learn more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Six years later, Snake infiltrates Shadow Moses to stop FOXHOUND's threat. He confronts Liquid Snake and other key figures.

Read our Metal Gear Solid review or explore the best PS1 games.

9. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Two years later, Snake investigates a new Metal Gear, leading to Raiden's mission at Big Shell, where he uncovers a conspiracy involving the Patriots and Liquid Ocelot.

Read our Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty review or discover the best PS2 games.

10. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Three years later, an aging Snake (Old Snake) confronts Liquid Ocelot and his new Outer Heaven.

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

11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Four years after Metal Gear Solid 4, Raiden battles Desperado Enforcement, uncovering dark secrets.

Read our Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance review.

Metal Gear Release Order Playthrough

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, depending on player demand.

Complete Metal Gear Game List

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

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(For similar game order lists, see Assassin's Creed and Far Cry game timelines.)