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 of Shadow Moses's rainy cliffs to the climactic showdown between student and mentor in Snake Eater, the series pushed gaming's narrative and technical boundaries across multiple console generations. Solid Snake and Big Boss's adventures are legendary, often cited as pivotal in gaming history.
Following Kojima's departure from Konami in 2015, and the seemingly conclusive Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Konami has revived 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, government conspiracies, and gravelly-voiced heroes. To help both newcomers and veterans navigate this extensive series, we present the chronological order of the core Metal Gear Solid games.
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Every IGN Metal Gear Review
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Excluding remakes, ports, and remasters, the Metal Gear universe encompasses 17 games: 11 mainline titles, five handheld installments, 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 canon. The PSP's Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 offer alternate timelines. 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 primary storyline, spanning from the 1960s to the late 2010s.
Where to Begin Your Metal Gear Journey?
Two entry points are recommended. For a comprehensive experience, start with 2023's Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1, containing enhanced versions of Metal Gear Solid 1-3. Alternatively, for a more modern introduction, begin with Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
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Metal Gear Games: Chronological Order
(Mild spoilers ahead)
1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Set during the Cold War, Snake Eater introduces Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative tasked with retrieving a rogue scientist. His mission leads him to a shocking betrayal by his mentor, The Boss, forcing him to confront his loyalty and ultimately shaping his transformation into Big Boss.
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 later, Big Boss faces a rebellion within his FOX Unit. Escaping captivity and clearing his name, he uncovers a plot to create a private army, setting the stage for future events.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.
3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Four years on, Big Boss leads Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF), battling a militia with access to nuclear weapons. The mystery deepens as he uncovers connections to his past and the shadowy organization, Cipher.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
A prologue to The Phantom Pain, Big Boss extracts Paz, only to face a devastating attack on Motherbase by XOF, led by the enigmatic Skull Face.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.
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's devastating parasitic weapon. The game culminates in the creation of Outer Heaven.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.
6. Metal Gear
Eleven years later, Solid Snake, under Big Boss's command, infiltrates Outer Heaven to stop a new Metal Gear.
Read our review of Metal Gear.
7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
Four years later, Snake confronts Big Boss and a new Metal Gear in Zanzibar Land.
See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.
8. Metal Gear Solid
Six years later, Snake battles his rogue FOXHOUND unit at Shadow Moses Island.
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 and Raiden confront Metal Gear Ray and the Sons of Liberty at Big Shell.
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 Snake (Old Snake) faces Liquid Ocelot in his final mission.
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 confronts Desperado Enforcement.
Read our review of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
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 has confirmed a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater), slated for release on August 28, 2025. The possibility of further remakes remains open, contingent on player demand.
Complete Metal Gear Game Playlist
Here's a complete list of standalone Metal Gear games and spin-offs, in release order.
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