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 heart-wrenching showdown in Snake Eater, the series pushed creative boundaries across multiple console generations. Solid Snake and Big Boss's adventures are legendary, considered by many to be pivotal in gaming history.

Following Kojima's departure from Konami in 2015, and the seemingly final chapter with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Konami has reignited the franchise 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, eyepatched heroes. To help both newcomers and veterans navigate this rich universe, we've compiled a chronological order of the core Metal Gear Solid games.

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Excluding remakes, ports, and remasters, the Metal Gear franchise comprises 17 titles: 11 main entries, five handheld games, and one mobile game. However, a significant portion are considered non-canon, diverging from the main storyline or presenting alternate timelines.

Metal Gear Survive (2018), set in a zombie-infested apocalypse, is outside the main continuity. The PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 offer alternate storylines. 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 also officially deemed non-canon.

This leaves 11 games within the core narrative, spanning from the 1960s to the late 2010s. Let's explore this definitive storyline.

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 contemporary introduction, start with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.

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Note: The following descriptions contain minor spoilers.

1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Chronologically first, and soon to receive a modern remake, Snake Eater follows Naked Snake during the Cold War. His mission: extract a Soviet scientist to prevent the creation of Shagohod, a devastating weapon. He discovers his mentor, The Boss, has defected. After a brutal defeat, Snake, under orders from Zero, must hunt down and eliminate The Boss while stopping Shagohod. This journey transforms Naked Snake into Big Boss, a legendary soldier, but leaves him disillusioned.

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 his confrontation with The Boss, Big Boss faces betrayal from his FOX Unit. Captured and accused of treason, he escapes and hunts down his former comrades, uncovering Gene's ambition to create Army's Heaven, a mercenary nation. Big Boss secures the resources intended for this project, ultimately forming FOXHOUND.

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 (Militaires Sans Frontières) with Kazuhira Miller. They confront the Peace Sentinels, a militia wielding nuclear weapons and the powerful Peace Walker mech. Big Boss uncovers The Boss's involvement and Cipher's machinations, culminating in a battle with Paz, a Cipher agent.

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 base. He encounters XOF, led by Skull Face, and suffers a devastating attack on Motherbase, leaving him near death.

Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.

5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Nine years later, a wounded Big Boss, now Venom Snake, leads Diamond Dogs against XOF and Skull Face, who are developing a devastating parasitic weapon. The game concludes with Big Boss laying the groundwork for Outer Heaven.

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

6. Metal Gear

Eleven years after The Phantom Pain, Solid Snake, under Big Boss's command, infiltrates Outer Heaven to destroy Metal Gear, a nuclear-capable weapon. He encounters Grey Fox and ultimately confronts Big Boss.

Read our review of Metal Gear.

7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

Four years later, Snake must stop Big Boss from deploying a new Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land.

See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.

8. Metal Gear Solid

Six years later, Snake confronts the rogue FOXHOUND at Shadow Moses Island, where they control a new Metal Gear and threaten nuclear war. He battles FOXHOUND members, including Revolver Ocelot, Psycho Mantis, and Cyborg Ninja, and faces Liquid Snake.

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 Big Shell, a facility hijacked by the Sons of Liberty. The story reveals deeper conspiracies and the involvement of Liquid Snake through Ocelot.

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 later, an aging Solid Snake ("Old Snake") confronts Liquid Ocelot and his new Outer Heaven. He battles his age and FOXDIE while uncovering Ocelot's plans.

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

11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Four years after Metal Gear Solid 4, Raiden, now a cyborg, confronts Desperado Enforcement, uncovering dark secrets and seeking revenge.

Read our review of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.

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?

While the future of original Metal Gear games remains uncertain without Kojima, Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is confirmed for August 28, 2025. The developers have indicated openness to remaking other titles based on player demand.

Complete Metal Gear Playlist

This playlist includes all standalone Metal Gear games and spin-offs, listed by release date.

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For more game order lists, see Assassin's Creed Games in Order and Far Cry Games in Order.