From the iconic elevator ride in Shadow Moses to the intense mentor-student showdown in Snake Eater, Hideo Kojima and Konami's Metal Gear series has delivered some of the most memorable moments in gaming history. Spanning multiple console generations, this epic spy thriller franchise has not only captivated players but also pushed the boundaries of video game storytelling. The adventures of Solid Snake and Big Boss have cemented their place as some of the most influential releases in the gaming medium.

In 2015, it seemed that Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain marked the end of the series, especially with Kojima's departure from Konami to start his own studio. However, Konami has since breathed new life into the series with re-releases and remakes, such as the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater in 2025. With fresh waves of players diving into the world of espionage, government conspiracies, and iconic characters, we've compiled the chronological order of the Metal Gear Solid series to help both newcomers and veterans navigate this legendary saga.

Jump to:

• How to play in chronological order
• How to play by release order

How Many Metal Gear Solid Games Are There?

Every IGN Metal Gear Review

19 ImagesExcluding remakes, ports, and remasters, there are 17 total Metal Gear games: 11 mainline entries, five on handheld devices, and one on mobile. While this is a substantial number, several are considered non-canon, featuring alternate storylines that diverge from the main saga.

Metal Gear Survive (2018), set in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a zombie virus, is not part of the main canon. The PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 also stray from the main timeline, offering alternate-universe narratives. Similarly, Metal Gear: Ghost Babel on the Game Boy Color presents an alternate sequel that disregards the events of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, thus falling outside the main timeline. Finally, Metal Gear Mobile and Snake’s Revenge have been labeled non-canon by both the community and Kojima.

This leaves 11 games within the main storyline, which forms the true Metal Gear Saga, spanning from a fictional alternate-history 1960s to the late 2010s. Below, we'll detail the games in the order of their story.

Which Metal Gear Should You Play First?

For those looking to experience the entire saga, we recommend starting with the 2023 Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, which includes the best available versions of Metal Gear Solid 1–3. For those new to the series or preferring more modern gameplay, we suggest starting with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.

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

5See it at AmazonMetal Gear Games in Chronological Order

These blurbs contain mild spoilers for each game, including characters, settings, and story beats.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

The saga begins with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, which is also slated for a modern remake. Set during the Cold War, the game follows Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative, as he's tasked with extracting a Russian scientist to prevent the creation of the Shagohod, a weapon of mass destruction. Amidst his mission, Snake discovers his former mentor, The Boss, has defected to the Soviets. After a brutal defeat, Snake is left for dead but survives, returning to Russia to confront The Boss and destroy the Shagohod, preventing nuclear war. By the story's end, Snake assumes the name Big Boss, becoming a legend but also disillusioned with the government.

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, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops continues Big Boss's journey as he faces his former unit, FOX. Captured and accused of treason, Big Boss escapes and pursues his former comrades, led by Gene, who aims to create a mercenary nation called Army's Heaven. Big Boss eventually acquires the resources for this project and forms FOXHOUND upon returning to the US.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Four years after Portable Ops, Big Boss has left FOXHOUND and the Patriots, founding Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) with Kazuhira Miller. Their mission to protect countries leads them to confront the Peace Sentinels in Costa Rica, who possess nuclear weapons and the powerful mech, Peace Walker. Big Boss uncovers The Boss's involvement and battles Paz, a Cipher agent, at the game's climax.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Shortly after Peace Walker, Ground Zeroes serves as a prologue to The Phantom Pain. Big Boss learns Paz survived and is being interrogated at Camp Omega by Cipher. During his rescue attempt, he encounters the rogue XOF unit led by Skull Face, leading to the destruction of Motherbase and the near-death of Big Boss.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years later, Big Boss awakens in a Cyprus hospital, surviving an assassination attempt. As Venom Snake, he leads the Diamond Dogs to stop XOF and Skull Face, who is developing a parasitic weapon. The game concludes with Big Boss planning to establish Outer Heaven, a sanctuary for soldiers.

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

6. Metal Gear

Eleven years later, the original Metal Gear introduces Solid Snake, a rookie FOXHOUND member under Big Boss's command. Sent to Outer Heaven to stop the construction of the Metal Gear mech, Snake uncovers Big Boss's betrayal.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years later, Solid Snake returns to thwart Big Boss's new Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land, facing his mentor's army once again.

See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Six years after Metal Gear 2, Solid Snake infiltrates Shadow Moses to stop a rogue FOXHOUND unit threatening nuclear strikes. He confronts familiar foes like Revolver Ocelot and Psycho Mantis, and the game ends with Snake presumed dead but escaping alive.

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, Solid Snake infiltrates an oil tanker to stop a new Metal Gear, but the mission goes awry, and he's blamed for its destruction. Two years after that, Raiden, a FOXHOUND agent, is sent to Big Shell, a facility built to clean up the oil spill. He uncovers the Sons of Liberty's hijacking and meets Iroquois Pliskin, who is revealed to be Solid Snake. The game ends with Snake and Raiden confronting Ocelot, possessed by Liquid Snake's will, and 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, Solid Snake, now Old Snake due to rapid aging from cloning and the FOXDIE virus, undertakes his final mission to assassinate Liquid Ocelot, who leads a new Outer Heaven in the Middle East. Snake battles his deteriorating health and confronts Ocelot in a climactic showdown.

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, works for Maverick Security Consulting. Attacked by Desperado Enforcement, he investigates the group, uncovering dark secrets and seeking justice.

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?

Although it seemed the Metal Gear series had concluded, Konami has confirmed a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, set for release on August 28, 2025. This modern reimagining promises to bring Naked Snake's legendary battle with The Boss to new audiences. While no new original games have been confirmed, Virtuous Studios hinted at potential remakes of 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.

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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.