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 emotionally charged showdown in Snake Eater, the series pushed creative boundaries across multiple console generations. Solid Snake and Big Boss's adventures are legendary, frequently cited among the most influential in gaming history.
While 2015's Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain appeared to conclude the franchise following Kojima's departure from Konami, the series is experiencing a resurgence with re-releases and remakes, such as the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. This renewed interest introduces a new wave of players to the world of covert operations, shadowy government conspiracies, and charismatic characters. To help both newcomers and veterans navigate this expansive universe, we present the chronological order of the core Metal Gear Solid games.
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Chronological Play OrderRelease Date Play OrderNumber of Metal Gear Games?
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Excluding remakes, ports, and remasters, the Metal Gear franchise comprises 17 games: 11 main entries, five handheld titles, and one mobile game. However, a significant portion are considered non-canon, diverging from the main storyline or presenting alternate interpretations of the universe.
Metal Gear Survive (2018), set in a zombie-infested world, is outside the main canon. The PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 offer alternate timelines. Metal Gear: Ghost Babel (Game Boy Color) presents an alternate universe, disregarding events from Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge are officially deemed non-canon.
This leaves 11 games within the primary storyline, spanning from the 1960s to the late 2010s. Let's explore this core saga.
Where to Begin Your Metal Gear Journey?
We suggest two starting points. 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 modern entry point, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain provides a compelling introduction to the franchise.
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5See it at AmazonMetal Gear Games: Chronological Order
Note: The following descriptions contain minor spoilers.
1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
The earliest entry, and soon to receive a modern remake, Snake Eater follows Naked Snake during the Cold War. His mission to extract a Soviet scientist leads him to confront his mentor, The Boss, who has defected. This pivotal encounter shapes Naked Snake's transformation into Big Boss, a legendary figure haunted by the events and revelations he uncovers.
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, Big Boss confronts the rogue FOX Unit. Framed for treason, he must clear his name, battling former comrades and uncovering the ambitious plans of their leader, Gene, to establish a private army. This sets the stage for Big Boss's future endeavors.
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 MSF, a private military force. They face the Peace Sentinels, a militia with access to nuclear weapons and a powerful mech. Big Boss uncovers connections to his past and confronts the manipulative forces of Cipher.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
A prologue to The Phantom Pain, Ground Zeroes sees Big Boss rescuing Paz from Camp Omega, a Cipher facility. He encounters XOF, a ruthless Cipher faction led by Skull Face, setting the stage for the events of the next game.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.
5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Nine years later, a wounded Big Boss (operating as Venom Snake) leads Diamond Dogs against XOF and Skull Face, who possesses a devastating parasitic weapon. The game culminates in Big Boss's plans to establish Outer Heaven.
Read our review of Metal Gear 5: The Phantom Pain.
6. Metal Gear
Eleven years after The Phantom Pain, Solid Snake, under Big Boss's command, infiltrates Outer Heaven to stop the development of Metal Gear, a nuclear-capable weapon. The confrontation between Snake and Big Boss reveals shocking truths.
Read our review of Metal Gear.
7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
Four years later, Snake confronts Big Boss again, this time in Zanzibar Land, where a new Metal Gear is being developed.
See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.
8. Metal Gear Solid
Six years after Metal Gear 2, Snake faces the rogue FOXHOUND at Shadow Moses Island, where a new Metal Gear threatens global security. The game features iconic characters and memorable set pieces.
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 a new Metal Gear, leading to a mission for Raiden at the Big Shell facility, hijacked by the Sons of Liberty. The game features a narrative twist and explores themes of deception and manipulation.
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 (Old Snake) embarks on his final mission against Liquid Ocelot and the Patriots.
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, a private military group.
Read our review of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
Metal Gear Games: Release Date 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 future of original Metal Gear games remains uncertain without Kojima's involvement, Konami's commitment to remakes, starting with Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater (releasing August 28, 2025), suggests the series will continue to evolve. The possibility of further remakes depends on player demand.
Complete Metal Gear Playlist
This list includes all standalone Metal Gear games and spin-offs, ordered by release date.
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(For similar game order lists, see Assassin's Creed and Far Cry.)
