From the iconic elevator ascent to the rainy cliffs of Shadow Moses in Metal Gear Solid to the climactic battle between student and mentor in the final moments of Snake Eater, Hideo Kojima and Konami's epic spy thriller franchise, Metal Gear, has delivered some of gaming's most memorable moments. This series has spanned multiple console generations, pushing the boundaries of video game storytelling and gameplay. The adventures of Solid Snake and Big Boss are not just legendary; they are considered by many to be among the most influential releases in the history of video games.

In 2015, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain seemed to conclude the franchise, with Hideo Kojima parting ways with Konami to establish his own studio. However, Konami has since revitalized the series with re-releases and remakes, such as the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater set to release later this year. As new players dive into this world of covert operations, shadowy government conspiracies, and iconic characters with cool 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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Every IGN Metal Gear Review

19 ImagesNot including remakes, ports, or remasters, there are 17 total Metal Gear games: 11 mainline games, five on handheld devices, and one on mobile. While this is a significant number, several of these are considered non-canon, as they diverge from the main storyline into alternate narratives.

For instance, 2018's Metal Gear Survive, which is set in an apocalyptic reality with a zombie virus, falls outside the main canon. Similarly, the PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 explore alternative timelines, and the Game Boy Color's Metal Gear: Ghost Babel presents an alternate-universe sequel that overrides the events of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake. Additionally, Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge have been deemed non-canon by both the community and Hideo Kojima.

This leaves 11 games within the main storyline, each contributing to the true Metal Gear Saga, which spans from a fictional alternate-history 1960s to the late 2010s. Let's explore these games in chronological order.

Which Metal Gear Should You Play First?

For those eager to delve 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 who prefer a more modern entry point or have less tolerance for older games, starting with the most recent mainline game, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, is advisable.

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5See it at AmazonMetal Gear Games in Chronological Order

These summaries include mild spoilers, such as characters, settings, and key plot points.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

The saga begins with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, set during the Cold War, where a US Special Forces operative codenamed Naked Snake is tasked with extracting a Russian scientist from the Soviet Union to thwart the development of a weapon of mass destruction called the Shagohod. The mission takes a shocking turn when Naked Snake discovers his former mentor, The Boss, has defected to the Soviets. After a fierce battle and survival in the jungle, Snake, under orders from his commander Zero, must return to Russia to confront The Boss and stop the Shagohod. By the end, Naked Snake adopts the moniker Big Boss, but his disillusionment with his duty and the government sets the stage for future conflicts.

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

Set six years after Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops follows Big Boss as he confronts his former FOX Unit, now gone rogue and staging a revolt against the CIA. Captured and accused of treason, Big Boss escapes and seeks to clear his name by hunting down his former allies and their leader, Gene. The game concludes with Big Boss thwarting Gene's plan to create a mercenary nation called Army's Heaven and using the acquired resources to form FOXHOUND.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.

3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Four years later, in Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, Big Boss, having left FOXHOUND and the Patriots, forms Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) with Kazuhira Miller to protect countries unable to defend themselves. Their mission leads them to confront the Peace Sentinels in Costa Rica, where Big Boss uncovers the involvement of his former mentor, The Boss, and a powerful mech called the Peace Walker. The climax reveals a confrontation with Paz, a Cipher agent, setting the stage for further intrigue.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.

4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

In Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes, set shortly after Peace Walker, Big Boss learns that Paz survived their previous encounter and is being interrogated by Cipher at Camp Omega. His mission to extract her leads to the discovery of XOF, a rogue Cipher cell led by the sadistic Skull Face. The mission ends in disaster as XOF attacks Motherbase, leaving Big Boss severely injured.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years after Ground Zeroes, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain finds Big Boss waking up in a Cyprus hospital, narrowly escaping an assassination attempt. As Venom Snake, he leads the Diamond Dogs in a quest to stop XOF and Skull Face, who are developing a devastating parasitic weapon. The game concludes with Big Boss laying the groundwork 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 original Metal Gear follows rookie soldier Solid Snake, a member of FOXHOUND led by Big Boss, on his first mission to infiltrate Outer Heaven and destroy the Metal Gear mech capable of launching nuclear bombs. The revelation that Big Boss is behind Outer Heaven's plans leads to a climactic confrontation.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

In Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, set four years after the original, Solid Snake returns to stop Big Boss, who has survived and is now building another Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land. Snake's mission involves infiltrating the nation and thwarting Big Boss's plans.

See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Six years after Metal Gear 2, Metal Gear Solid sees Solid Snake return to battle his former unit, FOXHOUND, which has taken over a government facility on Shadow Moses Island. The mission involves thwarting their plan to use a secret Metal Gear and facing off against familiar foes like Revolver Ocelot and Psycho Mantis. The game ends with Snake presumed dead but actually escaping alive.

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, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty introduces Raiden as the new protagonist, sent to infiltrate the Big Shell facility to rescue the US president from the Sons of Liberty. The narrative intertwines with Solid Snake's mission to uncover the secrets behind the facility and confront Revolver Ocelot, now possessed by Liquid Snake's will.

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

Marking the end of the main story, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots follows an aging Solid Snake, now called Old Snake, on his final mission to assassinate Liquid Ocelot and stop his plans for a new Outer Heaven. The narrative delves into Snake's struggle with the FOXDIE virus and his race against time.

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

11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Set four years after Guns of the Patriots, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance focuses on Raiden, now a cyborg working for Maverick Security Consulting. His mission to stop the Desperado Enforcement group leads to a journey of violent justice and revelations about their sinister plans.

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 appeared that Metal Gear was finished as a series, Konami has announced a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, this modern reimagining of Naked Snake's legendary battle with The Boss is set to release on August 28, 2025. While no new original Metal Gear games have been confirmed without Hideo Kojima, Virtuous Studios, the developer behind the remake, has hinted at potential remakes of 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. You can log in to rank them, mark games as owned or completed, or plan which games to play next.

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