From the dramatic elevator ride to the rain-soaked cliffs of Shadow Moses to the intense showdown between student and mentor in the final moments of Snake Eater, Hideo Kojima and Konami's iconic spy thriller franchise, Metal Gear, has delivered some of the most memorable moments in gaming history. Spanning multiple console generations, the series has continuously pushed the boundaries of video game storytelling and creativity. The adventures of Solid Snake and Big Boss have cemented their status as legendary, often cited as some of the most influential releases in the medium.

In 2015, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain appeared to conclude the franchise, marking Hideo Kojima's departure from Konami to establish his own studio. However, Konami has since begun to revive the series through re-releases and remakes, such as the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, set for release later this year. As new players dive into this world of espionage, government conspiracies, and iconic characters with distinctive eyepatches, we've organized the chronological order of the Metal Gear Solid series to help both newcomers and returning fans catch up.

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How to play in chronological orderHow to play by release orderHow Many Metal Gear Solid Games Are There?

Every IGN Metal Gear Review

19 ImagesExcluding remakes, ports, and remasters, the Metal Gear series comprises 17 games: 11 mainline titles, five for handheld devices, and one for mobile. However, not all of these are part of the main canon. Some games, like Metal Gear Survive, which is set in an apocalyptic world overrun by a zombie virus, exist outside the primary storyline. Similarly, the PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2, along with the Game Boy Color's Metal Gear: Ghost Babel and the mobile game Metal Gear Mobile, diverge from the established timeline, functioning as alternate-universe spin-offs. Snake's Revenge has also been deemed non-canon by both the community and Kojima.

This leaves 11 games within the main storyline, which form the true Metal Gear Saga, 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 eager to dive into 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 those interested in a more modern entry point or who may be less accustomed to older games, we suggest beginning with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, the most recent mainline title.

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5See it at AmazonMetal Gear Games in Chronological Order

These descriptions include mild spoilers about characters, settings, and key plot points.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Set during the Cold War, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater follows US Special Forces operative Naked Snake as he's tasked with extracting a Russian scientist from the Soviet Union to prevent the development of a weapon of mass destruction called the Shagohod. The mission takes a shocking turn when Snake discovers his mentor, The Boss, has defected to the Soviets. After a brutal confrontation leaves Snake for dead, he's ordered to return, confront The Boss, and dismantle the Shagohod to avert nuclear war. By the end, Naked Snake earns the title Big Boss, but the ordeal leaves him disillusioned with his 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. Captured and accused of treason by his former FOX Unit, Big Boss breaks free and sets out to clear his name by confronting his ex-allies and their leader, Gene. His quest uncovers Gene's plan to create Army's Heaven, a nation for mercenary soldiers. Upon returning to the US, Big Boss establishes the elite special ops team, FOXHOUND.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Four years later, Big Boss has left FOXHOUND and the Patriots, founding Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) with Kazuhira Miller. They defend nations unable to protect themselves, eventually clashing with the Peace Sentinels in Costa Rica. Big Boss uncovers links to his former mentor, The Boss, and a nuclear-capable mech called the Peace Walker. Operating from Motherbase, an offshore oil rig, Big Boss and MSF thwart the Peace Sentinels, discovering the involvement of Cipher, a shadowy government group.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Months after Peace Walker, Ground Zeroes serves as the prologue to Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Big Boss, learning Paz survived their previous encounter, races to extract her from Cipher's Camp Omega. There, he encounters the XOF, led by the sadistic Skull Face. The mission ends in tragedy as XOF attacks Motherbase, leaving Big Boss critically wounded.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years later, a recovering Big Boss, now Venom Snake, leads the Diamond Dogs to stop XOF and Skull Face, who has defected from Cipher and is developing a devastating parasitic weapon. Venom Snake's mission concludes with the establishment of Outer Heaven, a military nation free from government manipulation.

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

6. Metal Gear

Eleven years later, the series introduces Solid Snake, a rookie in FOXHOUND led by Big Boss. Sent to Outer Heaven to stop the construction of a nuclear-capable mech called Metal Gear, Solid Snake uncovers the weapon's potential and confronts Big Boss, who reveals his role in the plot.

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 project in Zanzibar Land, facing a formidable army in the process.

See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Six years on, Solid Snake battles his former FOXHOUND unit, now rogue and threatening nuclear action from Shadow Moses. Facing various foes, including Revolver Ocelot and Liquid Snake, Snake's mission ends with him presumed dead after thwarting the crisis.

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 the transport of a new Metal Gear, only to see it stolen by Revolver Ocelot. Two years after that, the narrative shifts to Raiden, an agent sent to the Big Shell facility, which has been hijacked by the Sons of Liberty. Amidst the chaos, Raiden uncovers deeper secrets and joins forces with Solid Snake to confront Ocelot, now possessed by Liquid Snake's will, and the enigmatic 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, an aging Solid Snake, now called Old Snake, faces his final mission to assassinate Liquid Ocelot, who has rebuilt Outer Heaven and controls major private militaries. As he battles his deteriorating health and the evolving FOXDIE virus, Snake moves toward a final confrontation with his nemesis.

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. After being ambushed by Desperado Enforcement in Africa, Raiden delves deeper into their sinister operations, vowing to bring them down.

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 Metal Gear 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. This modern reimagining of Naked Snake's battle with The Boss promises to revitalize the series. While Konami has not confirmed new original titles without Hideo Kojima, Virtuous Studios hinted at the possibility of remaking other Metal Gear games based on player demand.

Metal Gear Games: Complete Playlist

Here are all the standalone Metal Gear games and spin-offs, listed in order of release. Log in to rank them, mark games as owned, completed, or plan your next playthrough.

See All1Metal Gear (MSX)Konami2Metal GearKonami3Snake's RevengeKonami4Metal Gear 2: Solid SnakeKonami5Metal Gear SolidKonami6Metal Gear Solid: VR MissionsKonami7Metal Gear Solid [2000]Konami OSA (KCEO)8Metal Gear Solid IntegralKonami9Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of LibertyKCEJ10The Document of Metal Gear Solid 2KonamiFor more lists like these, also see Assassin's Creed Games in Order and a list of Far Cry Games in order.