The Metal Gear saga, a cornerstone of gaming history, boasts iconic moments from Snake's Shadow Moses ascent to the Snake Eater mentor-student showdown. Spanning generations and pushing gaming boundaries, Solid Snake and Big Boss's adventures are legendary, considered by many to be among the medium's most significant contributions.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015) seemingly concluded the franchise, following Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami. However, Konami's revival efforts, including the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater remake, introduce a new wave of players to this world of espionage, conspiracy, and charismatic eyepatches. This guide provides a chronological order for both newcomers and returning fans.
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 universe comprises 17 games: 11 mainline titles, five handheld releases, and one mobile game. However, many are considered non-canon, diverging from the main storyline.
Metal Gear Survive (2018), set in a zombie-apocalypse, is outside the main canon. The PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2, and the Game Boy Color's Metal Gear: Ghost Babel, are alternate timelines or universes. Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge are also officially deemed non-canon.
This leaves 11 core storyline games. Let's explore their chronological order.
Metal Gear Starting Point Recommendation
Two entry points are suggested. For the complete saga, the 2023 Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 (containing the best versions of MGS 1-3) is ideal. For a more contemporary starting point, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is recommended.
Prime Day Deal### Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 (PS5)
5See it at Amazon
Metal Gear Chronological Play Order
(Mild spoilers ahead)
1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Set during the Cold War, Snake Eater follows Naked Snake's mission to extract a scientist, only to uncover his mentor's betrayal. His survival and subsequent mission to eliminate her solidify his transformation into Big Boss, a legend marked 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 later, Big Boss confronts FOX Unit's rebellion. His escape and pursuit of Gene lead to the acquisition of resources for his future mercenary army, setting the stage for FOXHOUND's formation.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.
3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Four years later, Big Boss leads MSF, battling the Peace Sentinels and uncovering a connection to The Boss and nuclear weapons. The game concludes with a confrontation revealing Paz's affiliation with Cipher.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
Months after Peace Walker, this prologue sees Big Boss extract Paz, only to face XOF's devastating attack on Motherbase, leaving him near death.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.
5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Nine years later, a wounded Big Boss (Venom Snake) leads Diamond Dogs against XOF and Skull Face's parasitic weapon, ultimately paving the way for Outer Heaven's creation.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.
6. Metal Gear
Eleven years later, Solid Snake's first mission involves infiltrating Outer Heaven to destroy Metal Gear. The confrontation with Big Boss reveals his role in Outer Heaven's machinations.
Read our review of Metal Gear.
7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
Four years later, Snake confronts Big Boss and his new Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land.
See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.
8. Metal Gear Solid
Six years later, Snake infiltrates Shadow Moses to stop FOXHOUND's threat, facing off against Ocelot, Psycho Mantis, Grey Fox, and 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
Two years later, Snake investigates Metal Gear Ray's theft, leading to Raiden's mission at Big Shell, uncovering the Patriots' manipulations and Liquid Ocelot's role.
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 later, an aging Snake (Old Snake) confronts Liquid Ocelot and his new Outer Heaven, battling his deteriorating health and FOXDIE.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.
11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Four years after MGS4, Raiden, now a cyborg, battles Desperado Enforcement, uncovering dark secrets.
Read our review of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
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 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 section lists all standalone games and spin-offs by release date. (Image gallery follows).
For more game order lists, see Assassin's Creed and Far Cry series guides.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
