Home > News > How to Play the Metal Gear Solid Games in Chronological Order: The Full MGS Timeline

How to Play the Metal Gear Solid Games in Chronological Order: The Full MGS Timeline

Author：Kristen Update：Mar 05,2025

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 generations. Solid Snake and Big Boss's adventures are legendary, considered by many to be 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 reignited 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, government conspiracies, and charismatic, eyepatched heroes. To help both newcomers and veterans navigate this sprawling universe, we present the chronological order of the core Metal Gear Solid games.

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 main entries, five handheld games, and one mobile game. However, several titles 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 offer distinct narratives, functioning as alternate-timeline spin-offs. 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 main 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 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 modern experience, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain serves as an excellent starting point.

Prime Day Deal### Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 (PS5)

5See it at Amazon

Metal Gear Games: Chronological Order

(Mild spoilers ahead)

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

This Cold War-era prequel, soon to receive a modern remake, follows Naked Snake's mission to extract a Soviet scientist, only to uncover his mentor's betrayal. His subsequent fight for survival and the unraveling of hidden truths forge his transformation into 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 later, Big Boss confronts the treachery of his FOX Unit, clearing his name and laying the groundwork for his future mercenary army.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Four years on, Big Boss leads Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) against the Peace Sentinels and their nuclear threat, uncovering further conspiracies involving his past.

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.

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 their devastating parasitic weapon, ultimately paving the way for Outer Heaven.

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 stop a new Metal Gear.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years later, Snake confronts Big Boss's new Metal Gear threat in Zanzibar Land.

See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Six years later, Snake faces his rogue FOXHOUND unit at Shadow Moses Island.

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 tackle separate but interconnected missions involving Metal Gear Ray and the Sons of Liberty.

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) embarks on his final mission against Liquid Ocelot.

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

11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Four years after Metal Gear Solid 4, Raiden confronts 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 confirmed a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, releasing August 28, 2025. The possibility of further remakes remains open, dependent on player demand.