From the iconic elevator ascent in Shadow Moses to the gripping mentor-student showdown in Snake Eater, the Metal Gear series, masterfully crafted by Hideo Kojima and Konami, has given us some of the most memorable moments in gaming history. Spanning multiple console generations, the adventures of Solid Snake and Big Boss have not only pushed the boundaries of video game storytelling but have also been hailed as some of the most significant releases in the medium.

Following the apparent conclusion of the series with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain in 2015 and Kojima's departure from Konami, the franchise seemed destined for the annals of gaming history. However, Konami has breathed new life into the series with 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 the world of espionage, government conspiracies, and iconic characters, we've compiled a chronological guide to the Metal Gear Solid series to help both newcomers and returning fans navigate this legendary saga.

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• How to play in chronological order
• How to play by release order

How Many Metal Gear Solid Games Are There?

Every IGN Metal Gear Review

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Excluding remakes, ports, and remasters, the Metal Gear series comprises 17 games in total: 11 mainline entries, five handheld titles, and one mobile game. While this is a substantial collection, several of these titles are considered non-canon, offering alternate storylines that diverge from the main saga.

For instance, Metal Gear Survive (2018) unfolds in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by a zombie virus and falls outside the main canon. Similarly, the PSP titles Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 explore alternate timelines, as does Metal Gear: Ghost Babel for the Game Boy Color, which reimagines events post-Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge have also been officially deemed non-canon.

This leaves us with 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 delve into the narrative of these games.

Which Metal Gear Should You Play First?

For those eager to experience the entire saga, we recommend starting with the Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 released in 2023, which includes the definitive versions of Metal Gear Solid 1–3. For those interested in a more modern entry point or less tolerant of older game mechanics, we suggest beginning with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, the series' latest mainline iteration.

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Metal Gear Games in Chronological Order

These descriptions contain mild spoilers for each game, including characters, settings, and key plot points.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Set during the Cold War, Snake Eater follows Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative, on a mission to extract a Russian scientist and thwart the development of the Shagohod, a weapon of mass destruction. Betrayed by his mentor, The Boss, who has defected to the Soviets, Snake faces a harrowing journey through the jungle. Tasked with eliminating The Boss and securing the Shagohod, Snake emerges from his ordeal as Big Boss, disillusioned by the government he once served.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater or get updates on the Metal Gear Solid 3 remake.

2. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

Six years after Snake Eater, Portable Ops sees Big Boss confronting his former FOX Unit, now turned rogue. Captured and accused of treason, Big Boss escapes and hunts down his former comrades, led by Gene, who aims to create a mercenary nation called Army's Heaven. Big Boss eventually acquires Gene's resources and returns to the US to establish FOXHOUND.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Four years later, Big Boss, having left FOXHOUND, forms Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) with Kazuhira Miller to defend nations unable to protect themselves. When the Peace Sentinels invade Costa Rica, Big Boss uncovers their connection to The Boss and their control over the nuclear-capable Peace Walker. After a battle with Paz, revealed as a Cipher agent, Big Boss continues his fight from Motherbase.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

Shortly after Peace Walker, Ground Zeroes serves as a prologue to The Phantom Pain. Big Boss attempts to rescue Paz, who survived their previous encounter and is now held by Cipher at Camp Omega. He discovers XOF, led by the menacing Skull Face, and narrowly escapes as Motherbase is destroyed, leaving Big Boss near death.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years later, a gravely injured Big Boss awakens in Cyprus and narrowly escapes an assassination attempt. As Venom Snake, he leads the Diamond Dogs to stop Skull Face, now working on a parasitic weapon to destroy the Western world. The game concludes with Big Boss setting the stage for Outer Heaven, a sanctuary for soldiers.

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

6. Metal Gear

Eleven years later, the saga introduces Solid Snake, a rookie FOXHOUND operative under Big Boss's command. Sent to dismantle Outer Heaven and its Metal Gear weapon, Snake uncovers Big Boss's betrayal and confronts him.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years after Metal Gear, Solid Snake learns of Big Boss's survival and his plan to build another Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land. Snake infiltrates the nation, destroys the weapon, and faces Big Boss once more.

See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Six years later, Solid Snake returns to battle his former unit, FOXHOUND, which has gone rogue and taken over Shadow Moses Island to threaten nuclear war. Facing off against members like Revolver Ocelot and Psycho Mantis, Snake discovers the truth about his origins and narrowly escapes a government double-cross.

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, Solid Snake infiltrates an oil tanker to uncover a new Metal Gear, but the mission goes awry, and he's blamed for the tanker's destruction. The narrative shifts to Raiden, a FOXHOUND agent sent to Big Shell, a facility hijacked by the Sons of Liberty. Raiden uncovers deep conspiracies and is joined by Snake in his fight against Ocelot and the 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 dubbed Old Snake, embarks on his final mission to assassinate Liquid Ocelot, who leads a new Outer Heaven. With his body deteriorating due to the cloning process and FOXDIE virus, Snake confronts his past and future in a climactic battle.

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

11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Four years after Guns of the Patriots, Revengeance follows Raiden, now a cyborg, as he works for Maverick Security Consulting. After being attacked by Desperado Enforcement, Raiden uncovers sinister secrets and vows to bring them to justice.

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 once seemed that the Metal Gear series had reached its end, Konami has confirmed a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Showcased during PlayStation’s 2023 summer event, this modern reimagining of Naked Snake's iconic battle with The Boss is set to launch on August 28, 2025, as announced during Sony's February 2025 State of Play.

While no new original games have been confirmed without Kojima's involvement, Virtuous Studios, the developers behind Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, hinted at potential remakes of other series entries, stating, "Regarding remakes of previous games in the series other than Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, we will listen to player demand and consider accordingly."

Metal Gear Games: Complete Playlist

Here is a comprehensive list of all standalone Metal Gear games and spin-offs in release order. Log in to rank them, mark games owned or completed, or create a game plan for what to play next.

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For more lists like these, also see Assassin's Creed Games in Order and a list of Far Cry Games in order.