From Snake's daring ascent of Shadow Moses's rainy cliffs to the heartbreaking showdown between student and mentor in Snake Eater, Hideo Kojima and Konami's Metal Gear saga delivers some of gaming's most unforgettable moments. Spanning console generations and pushing the boundaries of storytelling in video games, Solid Snake and Big Boss's adventures are legendary, frequently cited as some of the medium's most impactful releases.

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, including the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. With a new wave of players discovering this world of covert operations, shadowy government conspiracies, and gruff, eyepatched heroes, we've compiled a chronological guide to the Metal Gear Solid series, perfect for newcomers and seasoned veterans alike.

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How to Play in Chronological OrderHow to Play by Release OrderHow Many Metal Gear Solid Games Are There?

Every IGN Metal Gear Review

19 ImagesExcluding remakes, ports, and remasters, the Metal Gear universe boasts 17 games: 11 mainline entries, five handheld titles, and one mobile game. While this extensive library might seem daunting, a significant portion is considered non-canon, diverging from the main storyline or presenting alternate interpretations.

Metal Gear Survive (2018), set in a zombie-infested apocalypse, sits outside the main continuity. The PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 offer unique, alternate-timeline narratives. The Game Boy Color's Metal Gear: Ghost Babel 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 forming the core storyline, spanning a fictional alternate history from the 1960s to the late 2010s. Let's explore this pivotal saga.

Where Should You Begin Your Metal Gear Journey?

We suggest two excellent starting points. For the complete saga, we recommend the 2023 release, Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, featuring the best versions of Metal Gear Solid 1-3. Alternatively, for a more modern entry point (and for those less inclined towards older games), start with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.

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5See it at AmazonMetal Gear Games in Chronological Order

The following descriptions contain minor spoilers regarding characters, settings, and plot points.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Opening the saga's timeline and soon to receive a modern remake, *Snake Eater* follows Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative, during the Cold War. Tasked with retrieving a Russian scientist to prevent the creation of the Shagohod, a weapon of mass destruction, Snake uncovers his mentor, The Boss's, betrayal.

After a devastating defeat, Snake is tasked with eliminating The Boss and stopping the Shagohod. This journey leads to Snake adopting the legendary moniker Big Boss, yet leaves him disillusioned with his duty and the government he served.

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 his confrontation with The Boss, Big Boss faces a new challenge: his rogue former squad, FOX Unit. Framed for treason after a daring escape from captivity, Big Boss hunts down his former comrades and their ruthless leader, Gene. This leads to the acquisition of resources and the eventual formation of FOXHOUND.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Four years later, Big Boss, having left FOXHOUND and the Patriots, leads Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) alongside Kazuhira Miller. Their mission to protect vulnerable nations pits them against the Peace Sentinels and their powerful Peace Walker mech. Unraveling the truth behind The Boss's involvement and Cipher's machinations leads to a final confrontation with Paz.

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 infiltrate Camp Omega to extract Paz, only to discover the sinister XOF and its leader, Skull Face. The mission culminates in a devastating attack on Motherbase, leaving Big Boss near death.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years later, a severely injured Big Boss, now known as Venom Snake, leads Diamond Dogs in a quest for revenge against XOF and Skull Face, who are developing a devastating parasitic weapon. The game concludes with Big Boss laying the groundwork for Outer Heaven.

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

6. Metal Gear

Eleven years later, Solid Snake, a rookie FOXHOUND operative under Big Boss's command, infiltrates Outer Heaven to destroy a new Metal Gear. His mission reveals the true mastermind behind Outer Heaven's creation.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years later, Solid 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 after *Metal Gear 2*, Snake infiltrates Shadow Moses Island to stop the rogue FOXHOUND and their threat of nuclear annihilation.

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 the theft of Metal Gear Ray, leading to a new mission for Raiden at Big Shell. Unraveling conspiracies and facing Liquid Ocelot, Snake and Raiden confront the Patriots.

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, now "Old Snake," embarks on his final mission against Liquid Ocelot and his new Outer Heaven.

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, now a cyborg, confronts Desperado Enforcement and uncovers their sinister secrets.

Read our review of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.

How to Play the 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)What’s Next for Metal Gear?

Despite past uncertainties, Konami has confirmed a remake of *Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater*, *Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater*, launching August 28, 2025. While future original entries remain unconfirmed, the development team has expressed openness to remaking other *Metal Gear* titles based on player demand.

Metal Gear Games: Complete Playlist

Here are all the standalone Metal Gear games and spin-offs, in order of release. Log in to rank them, mark games owned, completed, or create a game plan for what to play next.See All1

Konami2Konami3Konami4Konami5Konami6Konami7Konami OSA (KCEO)8Konami9KCEJ10KonamiFor more lists like these, also see Assassin's Creed Games in Order and a list of Far Cry Games in order.