From Snake's daring ascent in Shadow Moses to the climactic showdown in Snake Eater, the Metal Gear saga boasts some of gaming's most iconic moments. Spanning generations and pushing gaming boundaries, Solid Snake and Big Boss's adventures are legendary, considered by many to be pivotal in gaming history.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015) seemingly concluded the franchise, with Kojima's departure from Konami. However, Konami's revived the series with re-releases and remakes, including the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. This resurgence introduces a new wave of players to a world of espionage, conspiracies, and charismatic, eyepatched heroes. To guide newcomers and veterans alike, here's a chronological playthrough of the core Metal Gear Solid games.

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Chronological PlaythroughOrder of ReleaseHow Many Metal Gear Games Are There?

IGN Metal Gear Reviews

19 ImagesExcluding remakes, ports, and remasters, the Metal Gear universe comprises 17 titles: 11 mainline entries, five handheld games, and one mobile game. However, many are considered non-canon, diverging from the main storyline.

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 are alternate-timeline spin-offs. Metal Gear: Ghost Babel (Game Boy Color) is an alternate-universe sequel that contradicts Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge are officially deemed non-canon.

This leaves 11 core storyline games. This chronological narrative spans from the fictional 1960s to the late 2010s.

Where to Begin Your Metal Gear Journey?

We suggest two entry points. For the complete saga, the 2023 Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 (containing the best versions of MGS 1-3) is ideal. Alternatively, for a modern introduction, start with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.

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5See it at AmazonMetal Gear Games: Chronological Order

Minor spoilers ahead regarding characters, settings, and plot points.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

This Cold War-era prequel follows Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative, tasked with retrieving a Russian scientist to prevent the creation of the Shagohod. He discovers his mentor, The Boss, has defected. After a brutal defeat, Snake must track down The Boss and the Shagohod, ultimately becoming Big Boss. This journey leaves him disillusioned with his government.

Read our Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Review or check for updates on the remake.

2. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

Six years later, Big Boss confronts his rogue FOX Unit. Framed for treason, he must clear his name, pursuing his former allies and their leader, Gene. This leads to Big Boss acquiring the resources to establish Army's Heaven, a mercenary force, and later FOXHOUND.

Read our Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops review.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Four years later, Big Boss leads Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) with Kazuhira Miller, defending vulnerable nations. They confront the Peace Sentinels, who possess nuclear weapons and the Peace Walker mech. Big Boss uncovers The Boss's involvement and battles Paz, a Cipher agent.

Read our Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker review.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

This prologue to The Phantom Pain sees Big Boss rescuing Paz from Camp Omega, a Cipher base. He encounters XOF, led by Skull Face, resulting in the destruction of Motherbase and leaving Big Boss near death.

Read our Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes review.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years later, a wounded Big Boss (Venom Snake) leads Diamond Dogs against XOF and Skull Face, who is developing a devastating parasitic weapon. The game culminates in Big Boss's plan to create Outer Heaven.

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

6. Metal Gear

Eleven years later, Solid Snake infiltrates Outer Heaven to destroy Metal Gear, confronting Big Boss.

Read our Metal Gear review.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years later, Snake confronts Big Boss and his new Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land.

Learn more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Six years after Metal Gear 2, Snake battles the rogue FOXHOUND at Shadow Moses Island, facing Ocelot, Psycho Mantis, Grey Fox, and Liquid Snake.

Read our Metal Gear Solid review or explore the best PS1 games.

9. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Two years later, Snake investigates Metal Gear Ray, followed by Raiden's mission at Big Shell, revealing a complex plot involving Ocelot and the Patriots.

Read our Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty review or explore the best PS2 games.

10. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Three years later, an aging Solid Snake ("Old Snake") confronts Liquid Ocelot and his new Outer Heaven.

Read our Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots review.

11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Four years after MGS4, Raiden battles Desperado Enforcement, uncovering dark secrets.

Read our Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance review.

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 seemed uncertain, Konami confirmed a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, releasing August 28, 2025. The possibility of further remakes depends on player demand.

Complete Metal Gear Playlist

Here's a complete list of Metal Gear games and spin-offs, in release order. Log in to rank, track progress, or plan your next playthrough.See All1