by Jacob Mar 27,2025
The Metal Gear series, crafted by Hideo Kojima and Konami, stands as a monumental saga in video gaming, known for its iconic moments and narrative depth. From Snake's dramatic elevator ride to the rain-soaked cliffs of Shadow Moses in the original Metal Gear Solid, to the poignant mentor-student showdown in Snake Eater, the franchise has delivered unforgettable experiences across multiple console generations. The adventures of Solid Snake and Big Boss are not just legendary; they are pivotal to the evolution of video games as a storytelling medium.
In 2015, with the release of Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, it seemed the series had reached its conclusion, especially following Kojima's departure from Konami. However, the franchise is experiencing a revival with re-releases and remakes, such as the upcoming Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater set for release later this year. This resurgence introduces the world of espionage, conspiracy, and iconic characters to a new generation of gamers. To help both newcomers and returning fans navigate the complex timeline, we've outlined the chronological order of the Metal Gear Solid series.
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Excluding remakes, ports, and remasters, there are 17 Metal Gear games in total: 11 mainline entries, five on handheld devices, and one on mobile. Notably, several of these are considered non-canon, branching off into their own unique narratives separate from the main storyline.
For instance, Metal Gear Survive (2018) is set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, placing it outside the main canon. The PSP titles Metal Gear: Acid and Metal Gear: Acid 2 also deviate from the established timeline, functioning as alternate-timeline spin-offs. Metal Gear: Ghost Babel for the Game Boy Color offers an alternate-universe sequel that disregards the events of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, thus not fitting into the main timeline. Lastly, Metal Gear Mobile and Snake's Revenge have been officially labeled non-canon by both the community and Hideo Kojima.
This leaves us with 11 games that form the core of the Metal Gear Saga, spanning from the 1960s to the late 2010s. Let's explore these games in chronological order.
For those seeking 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 new to the series or less inclined towards older games, we suggest beginning with the most recent mainline entry, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain.
Prime Day Deal### Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol.1 (PS5)
These summaries contain mild spoilers for each game, including characters, settings, and story beats.
The saga begins with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, set during the Cold War. Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative, is tasked with rescuing a Russian scientist to prevent the development of the Shagohod, a weapon of mass destruction. The mission takes a shocking turn when Snake discovers his mentor, The Boss, has defected to the Soviet Union. After a fierce battle and near-death experience, Snake is ordered to return, confront The Boss, and stop the Shagohod. By the end, Snake adopts the name Big Boss, but the revelations he uncovers leave him disillusioned with his government.
Read our Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater Review or see updates about the Metal Gear Solid 3 remake.
Six years later, in Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, Big Boss confronts his former FOX Unit, now rogue and staging a revolt against the CIA. Captured and tortured, Big Boss escapes and sets out to clear his name, hunting down his former allies and their leader, Gene. The story culminates with Big Boss thwarting Gene's plan to create a mercenary nation, Army's Heaven, and using the acquired resources to form FOXHOUND.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.
In Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, set four years after Portable Ops, Big Boss has left FOXHOUND and founded Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) with Kazuhira Miller. They intervene when the Peace Sentinels invade Costa Rica, discovering a connection to The Boss and a nuclear-capable mech, the Peace Walker. After intense battles and uncovering Cipher's involvement, Big Boss confronts Paz, a Cipher agent, and continues his quest to protect the vulnerable.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes serves as a prologue to The Phantom Pain, set months after Peace Walker. Big Boss learns Paz is alive and being interrogated by Cipher at Camp Omega. During the rescue, he encounters XOF and its leader, Skull Face. The mission ends with Motherbase under attack, leaving Big Boss near death.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes.
Nine years later, in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, Big Boss, now severely injured, wakes in a Cyprus hospital and narrowly escapes an assassination attempt. As Venom Snake, he leads the Diamond Dogs to pursue XOF and Skull Face, who is developing a parasitic weapon to destroy the Western world. The game concludes with Big Boss's plan to create Outer Heaven, a sanctuary for soldiers.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain.
Eleven years on, Metal Gear introduces Solid Snake, a rookie FOXHOUND member under Big Boss's command. Sent to dismantle a weapon of mass destruction in Outer Heaven, Snake uncovers Metal Gear and confronts Big Boss, who reveals his role in the nation's plans.
Read our review of Metal Gear.
In Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, four years after the original, Solid Snake returns to stop Big Boss, who has survived and is now constructing another Metal Gear for Zanzibar Land. Snake infiltrates the nation, destroys the weapon, and faces Big Boss once more.
See more about Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake.
Six years later, in Metal Gear Solid, Solid Snake battles his former FOXHOUND unit, now rogue and threatening nuclear war from Shadow Moses. Snake faces familiar foes, including Revolver Ocelot and a cyborg Grey Fox, and confronts Liquid Snake. The mission ends with Snake presumed dead, but he escapes.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid or see more of the best PS1 games.
Two years after Metal Gear Solid, in Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, a rogue Solid Snake infiltrates an oil tanker to stop a new Metal Gear. Revolver Ocelot steals Metal Gear Ray, sinks the tanker, and frames Snake. Two years later, Raiden, a FOXHOUND agent, is sent to Big Shell, discovering its secrets and meeting a mysterious Iroquois Pliskin, who is revealed to be Solid Snake. Together, they confront Ocelot, now possessed by Liquid Snake, and the Patriots.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty or check out more of the best PS2 games.
In Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, three years after Sons of Liberty, an aging Solid Snake, now called Old Snake, embarks on his final mission to assassinate Liquid Ocelot, who controls a new Outer Heaven. Snake, battling the effects of rapid aging and the FOXDIE virus, confronts Ocelot in a climactic battle.
Read our review of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.
Four years after Guns of the Patriots, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance follows Raiden, now a cyborg working for Maverick Security Consulting. After an attack by Desperado Enforcement, Raiden uncovers dark secrets and vows to bring the organization down, embarking on a path of violent justice.
Read our review of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.
Although it appeared the series had ended, Konami has announced a remake of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, titled Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, set for release on August 28, 2025. This modern reimagining will bring Naked Snake's legendary journey back to life. While no new original entries have been confirmed, Virtuous Studios has hinted at the possibility of remaking other Metal Gear games based on player demand.
Here are all the standalone Metal Gear games and spin-offs, in order of release. Log in to rank them, mark games owned, completed, or create a game plan for what to play next.See All
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