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

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. The adventures of Solid Snake and Big Boss are legendary, often cited as pivotal in the evolution of the medium.

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, such as the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. This resurgence introduces a new wave of players to the world of covert operations, government conspiracies, and charismatic, eyepatched heroes. To guide both newcomers and veterans, we present the chronological order of the core Metal Gear Solid games.

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Excluding remakes, ports, and remasters, the Metal Gear universe encompasses 17 titles: 11 mainline entries, five handheld games, and one mobile game. However, a significant portion are considered non-canon, diverging from the main storyline and establishing independent narratives.

Metal Gear Survive (2018), set in a zombie-infested apocalypse, is outside the main continuity. The PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 present alternate timelines. Metal Gear: Ghost Babel (Game Boy Color) contradicts Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, creating an alternate universe. Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge are officially deemed non-canon.

This leaves 11 games forming the core narrative. This canonical saga unfolds across a fictional alternate history, from the 1960s to the late 2010s.

Where to Begin Your Metal Gear Journey?

Two entry points are recommended. For the complete saga, the 2023 Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 offers the best versions of Metal Gear Solid 1-3. Alternatively, for a more contemporary experience, start with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.

Metal Gear Games: Chronological Order

(Mild spoilers ahead)

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater: Set during the Cold War, this prequel follows Naked Snake's mission to extract a scientist, leading to a confrontation with his mentor, The Boss. This shapes his transformation into Big Boss. (A remake, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, is slated for release)

2. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops: Six years later, Big Boss confronts his rogue FOX Unit, clearing his name and laying the groundwork for his future mercenary army.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker: Four years on, Big Boss leads Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF), battling the Peace Sentinels and uncovering a connection to The Boss.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes: A prologue to The Phantom Pain, this mission sees Big Boss rescuing Paz and facing the XOF, a Cipher splinter cell.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain: Nine years after Ground Zeroes, a severely injured Big Boss (Venom Snake) leads Diamond Dogs against Skull Face and the XOF, ultimately setting the stage for Outer Heaven.

6. Metal Gear: Solid Snake's first mission involves infiltrating Outer Heaven to destroy Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake: Snake confronts Big Boss and a new Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land.

8. Metal Gear Solid: Snake battles FOXHOUND, a rogue unit led by Liquid Snake, at Shadow Moses Island.

9. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty: Snake and Raiden face Metal Gear Ray and the Patriots, revealing intricate layers of deception.

10. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots: An aging Solid Snake ("Old Snake") embarks on his final mission against Liquid Ocelot and the Patriots.

11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance: Raiden, now a cyborg, confronts Desperado Enforcement and uncovers a conspiracy.

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 remains uncertain without Kojima's direct involvement, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater signifies Konami's commitment to revisiting the franchise. The possibility of further remakes hinges on player demand.

Complete Metal Gear Game Playlist

[Image Gallery of all Metal Gear Games]