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 emotionally charged 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 revived 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 characters. To help both newcomers and seasoned fans navigate this rich universe, we present the chronological order of the core 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 timelines.

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 are alternate-timeline spin-offs. Metal Gear: Ghost Babel (Game Boy Color) is an alternate-universe sequel, disregarding events from Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge are officially deemed non-canon.

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

Where to Begin Your Metal Gear Journey?

We suggest two entry points. For the complete saga, start with 2023's Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, featuring enhanced versions of Metal Gear Solid 1-3. Alternatively, for a more contemporary experience, begin with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.

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The following summaries contain minor spoilers.

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: extract a Soviet scientist to prevent the creation of Shagohod, a weapon of mass destruction. He uncovers a betrayal by his mentor, The Boss, leading to a fateful confrontation. Naked Snake's survival and subsequent actions forge his legendary identity as 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 the rogue FOX Unit. Imprisoned and accused of treason, he clears his name, uncovering Gene's ambition to create Army's Heaven, a mercenary army. This sets the stage for Big Boss's 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) against the Peace Sentinels in Costa Rica. The conflict reveals a connection to The Boss and the threat of nuclear weapons. The game culminates in a confrontation with Paz, a Cipher agent.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

A prologue to The Phantom Pain, Big Boss rescues Paz from Camp Omega, only to face an attack by XOF, led by Skull Face. This devastating assault 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 later, a wounded Big Boss, now Venom Snake, leads Diamond Dogs against XOF and Skull Face's parasitic weapon. The game concludes with Big Boss's plans for Outer Heaven.

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

6. Metal Gear

Eleven years after The Phantom Pain, Solid Snake infiltrates Outer Heaven to destroy Metal Gear. His mission reveals Big Boss's role in the conflict.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years later, 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

Six years later, Snake confronts the rogue FOXHOUND at Shadow Moses Island. This iconic entry features memorable villains like Revolver Ocelot, Psycho Mantis, and Cyborg Ninja.

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 investigate the hijacking of Big Shell. The game explores themes of deception and the manipulation of information.

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 ("Old Snake") undertakes his final mission against Liquid Ocelot and the Patriots.

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 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)

While the future of original Metal Gear titles remains uncertain without Kojima's involvement, Konami's commitment to remakes suggests continued exploration of this beloved universe. Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, slated for release on August 28, 2025, is a testament to this. The development team has indicated openness to remaking other titles based on player demand.

Complete Metal Gear Playlist

This section would list all games with images, as in the original text, but I cannot reproduce images here. The list would mirror the original text's "Complete Playlist" section. The functionality to rank, mark ownership, etc., is also beyond my capabilities as a text-based AI.