The Metal Gear series, created by Hideo Kojima and Konami, has delivered some of the most memorable moments in gaming history, from Snake's iconic elevator ride in Shadow Moses to the intense mentor-student showdown in Snake Eater. Spanning multiple console generations, the adventures of Solid Snake and Big Boss have become legendary, often cited as some of the most significant releases in the medium.
In 2015, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain appeared to conclude the series as Kojima parted ways with Konami to establish his own studio. However, Konami has since revived the franchise with re-releases and remakes, including the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. With new players diving into this world of espionage, conspiracy, and iconic characters, we've outlined the chronological order of the Metal Gear Solid series to help both newcomers and returning fans catch up.
Jump to:
- How to play in chronological order
- How to play by release order
How Many Metal Gear Solid Games Are There?
19 Images
Excluding remakes, ports, or remasters, there are 17 Metal Gear games in total: 11 mainline games, five on handheld devices, and one on mobile. However, several of these are considered non-canon, branching off into alternate timelines and diverging from the main saga.
Metal Gear Survive, set in an apocalyptic world overrun by a zombie virus, is outside the main canon. The PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2, along with the Game Boy Color's Metal Gear: Ghost Babel, are alternate-timeline spin-offs. Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge are also deemed non-canon by the community and Kojima.
This leaves 11 games within the main storyline, covering a fictional alternate history from the 1960s to the late 2010s. Let's explore these games in chronological order.
Which Metal Gear Should You Play First?
For those seeking the complete saga, we recommend starting with 2023's Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, which includes the best versions of Metal Gear Solid 1–3. For those new to the series or preferring more contemporary gameplay, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is an excellent entry point.
Prime Day Deal### Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 (PS5)
5See it at Amazon
Metal 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 first game in the timeline and the next to receive a modern remake, Snake Eater follows Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative, during the Cold War. Tasked with extracting a Russian scientist to prevent the creation of the Shagohod weapon, Snake is betrayed by his mentor, The Boss. After surviving a brutal battle, he returns to Russia to confront The Boss and stop the Shagohod, ultimately becoming Big Boss but questioning his loyalty to 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
Set six years after Snake Eater, Big Boss confronts his former FOX Unit, now rogue. Captured and accused of treason, he escapes and pursues their leader, Gene, learning of the plan to create Army's Heaven. Big Boss secures the resources to later form FOXHOUND.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.
3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Four years later, Big Boss, now leading Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) with Kazuhira Miller, battles the Peace Sentinels in Costa Rica. Discovering The Boss's involvement and a nuclear-capable mech, Peace Walker, Big Boss confronts his former ally Paz, revealed to be a Cipher agent.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
Months after Peace Walker, Big Boss learns Paz survived and is being interrogated by Cipher at Camp Omega. Infiltrating the base, he encounters XOF and its sadistic leader, Skull Face. The mission ends with Motherbase's destruction and 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 awakens in Cyprus and, after surviving an assassination attempt, leads the Diamond Dogs as Venom Snake. Pursuing XOF and Skull Face, he uncovers plans for a parasitic weapon and sets the stage 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 member, is sent to Outer Heaven to destroy the Metal Gear mech. With guidance from Big Boss, he learns of the weapon's nuclear capabilities and confronts his mentor, discovering Big Boss's betrayal.
Read our review of Metal Gear.
7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
Four years later, Solid Snake returns to stop Big Boss from building another Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land. Infiltrating the nation, he battles Big Boss's forces and confronts his former mentor.
See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.
8. Metal Gear Solid
Six years later, Solid Snake battles his former FOXHOUND unit, now rogue, on Shadow Moses Island. Facing members like Revolver Ocelot and Liquid Snake, he uncovers a secret Metal Gear and is declared killed-in-action but escapes 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, a rogue Solid Snake infiltrates an oil tanker to stop a new Metal Gear. After the tanker's destruction, Raiden, a new FOXHOUND agent, investigates Big Shell, uncovering its secrets and meeting a mysterious lieutenant, Iroquois Pliskin, who is revealed to be Solid Snake.
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 called Old Snake, embarks on his final mission to assassinate Liquid Ocelot, leader of a new Outer Heaven. Equipped with nanomachines, he confronts his nemesis and the lingering effects of the FOXDIE virus.
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 uncovers their sinister plans and seeks 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 series was finished, Konami announced a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, set for release on August 28, 2025. 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.
See All
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
For more lists like these, also see Assassin's Creed Games in Order and a list of Far Cry Games in order.
