The Metal Gear series, crafted by Hideo Kojima and Konami, is renowned for its gripping narratives and iconic moments, from Snake's elevator ride to the rainy cliffs of Shadow Moses to the intense showdowns between student and mentor in Snake Eater. Spanning multiple console generations, the adventures of Solid Snake and Big Boss have left an indelible mark on the gaming world, often hailed as some of the most influential releases in the industry.
Although Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami in 2015 with the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain seemed to signal the end of the series, Konami has since revived it with re-releases and remakes, including the highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, set to launch later this year. As new players and returning fans delve into this world of espionage, government conspiracies, and iconic characters, understanding the chronological order of the Metal Gear Solid series can enhance the experience.
Jump to:
- How to play in chronological order
- How to play by release order
How Many Metal Gear Solid Games Are There?
Excluding remakes, ports, and remasters, there are a total of 17 Metal Gear games: 11 mainline entries, five handheld titles, and one mobile game. While this is a substantial number, several are considered non-canon, as their narratives diverge from the main storyline, creating alternate takes on the universe.
For instance, Metal Gear Survive (2018) takes place in an apocalyptic world overrun by a zombie virus, making it non-canon. Similarly, the PSP games Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2, along with the Game Boy Color's Metal Gear: Ghost Babel, are alternate-timeline spin-offs. Additionally, Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge have been officially recognized as non-canon by both the community and Hideo Kojima.
This leaves 11 games within the main storyline, which together form the true Metal Gear Saga, covering a fictional alternate history from the 1960s to the late 2010s. Let's explore the games in chronological order.
Which Metal Gear Should You Play First?
For those looking to experience the complete saga, we recommend starting with 2023's Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, which includes the best available versions of Metal Gear Solid 1–3. For newcomers or those who prefer more modern gameplay, beginning with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain could be a more approachable entry point.
Metal Gear Games in Chronological Order
These summaries contain mild spoilers for each game, including characters, settings, and story beats.
1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
The saga begins with Snake Eater, set during the Cold War. Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative, is tasked with extracting a Russian scientist to prevent the creation of the Shagohod, a weapon of mass destruction. Betrayed by his former mentor, The Boss, who has defected to the Soviets, Snake must navigate the jungle, confront his mentor, and stop the Shagohod to avert nuclear war. By the end, Naked Snake becomes Big Boss, but his experiences leave him disillusioned with his government.
2. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops
Six years later, Big Boss faces his former FOX Unit, now rogue and staging a revolt. Captured and accused of treason, he escapes and seeks to clear his name by hunting down his former allies and their leader, Gene. Big Boss uncovers Gene's plan to create Army's Heaven, a nation of mercenary soldiers, and uses the amassed resources to form FOXHOUND.
3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Four years after Portable Ops, Big Boss, now leading Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) with Kazuhira Miller, fights the Peace Sentinels in Costa Rica. Discovering The Boss's involvement and the Peace Sentinels' access to nuclear weapons via the Peace Walker mech, Big Boss and MSF confront their enemies from Motherbase. The game concludes with Big Boss battling Paz, a Cipher agent.
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, led by Skull Face. The mission ends with the destruction of Motherbase and the near-death of Big Boss.
5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Nine years later, a severely injured Big Boss awakens in Cyprus, evades an assassination attempt, and leads the Diamond Dogs as Venom Snake. Pursuing XOF and Skull Face, who are developing a parasitic weapon, Big Boss sets the stage for Outer Heaven, a military nation free from government manipulation.
6. Metal Gear
Eleven years later, the story shifts to Solid Snake, a rookie FOXHOUND member under Big Boss's command. Sent to Outer Heaven to stop the construction of Metal Gear, a nuclear-capable mech, Snake uncovers Big Boss's betrayal.
7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
Four years later, Solid Snake returns to stop Big Boss, who is building another Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land. Snake infiltrates the nation, destroys the weapon, and confronts Big Boss.
8. Metal Gear Solid
Six years after Metal Gear 2, Solid Snake battles his former FOXHOUND unit, now rogue and threatening nuclear attack from Shadow Moses. Facing members like Revolver Ocelot and Liquid Snake, Snake survives and is presumed dead.
9. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Two years later, a rogue Solid Snake infiltrates an oil tanker to stop the transport of Metal Gear Ray, which is stolen by Revolver Ocelot. Two years after that, Raiden, a new FOXHOUND agent, infiltrates Big Shell, uncovering its secrets and meeting Solid Snake, who is pursuing Ocelot and the Patriots.
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, who is running a new Outer Heaven. Battling his deteriorating health and the FOXDIE virus, Snake confronts his nemesis.
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, Raiden uncovers sinister secrets and seeks to bring them down.
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 once seemed the series had concluded, Konami has 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, the developer behind the remake, has hinted at the possibility of remaking other Metal Gear titles based on player demand.
Metal Gear Games: Complete Playlist
Here is a comprehensive list of all standalone Metal Gear games and spin-offs, ordered by release date. Log in to rank them, mark games as owned or completed, or plan your next playthrough.
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.
