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 perilous 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 the medium's history.
Following Kojima's departure from Konami in 2015, and the apparent conclusion of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Konami has revitalized the franchise with re-releases and remakes, such as the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. This renewed interest introduces a new wave of players to the world of covert operations, shadowy government conspiracies, and charismatic, eyepatched protagonists. To help both newcomers and veterans navigate this expansive universe, we've compiled a 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 mainline entries, five handheld games, and one mobile game. However, a significant portion are considered non-canon, diverging from the main storyline or presenting alternate interpretations.
2018's Metal Gear Survive, set in a zombie-infested apocalypse, sits outside the main canon. Similarly, the PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2, and the Game Boy Color's Metal Gear: Ghost Babel (which contradicts Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake), are considered alternate timeline spin-offs. Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge are also officially deemed non-canon.
This leaves 11 games forming the core storyline, 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 a comprehensive experience, start with 2023's Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 (containing the best versions of MGS 1-3). Alternatively, for a more modern introduction, begin with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
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Metal Gear Games: Chronological Order
Note: Minor spoilers may be present in the following descriptions.
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. Tasked with retrieving a Soviet scientist to prevent the creation of the Shagohod, he uncovers a betrayal by his mentor, The Boss. After a brutal defeat, Snake must return to Russia, confront The Boss, and stop the Shagohod. This journey transforms Naked Snake into Big Boss, a legend forged in disillusionment and betrayal.
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. Framed for treason after escaping captivity, he must clear his name and hunt down his former comrades, ultimately uncovering their leader's plan to create Army's Heaven. This sets the stage for his future actions.
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. He uncovers a connection to The Boss and a nuclear threat, culminating in a confrontation with a Cipher agent.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
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 on Motherbase by XOF, led by 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 (Venom Snake) leads Diamond Dogs against XOF and Skull Face's 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 Metal Gear. A confrontation with Big Boss reveals the truth behind Outer Heaven's creation.
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
Snake infiltrates Shadow Moses to stop FOXHOUND's threat. He confronts Liquid Snake and other members of FOXHOUND.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid or see more of the best PS1 games.
9. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Snake and Raiden investigate the Big Shell incident, uncovering a conspiracy 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
Old Snake's 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
Raiden's cyborg quest for vengeance against Desperado Enforcement.
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, contingent 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).
(Image gallery of game covers would be inserted here, mirroring the original input's image gallery.)
For more game order lists, see Assassin's Creed Games in Order and Far Cry Games in Order.
