GameTimeline

Release & story order

Metal Gear Solid timeline

Metal Gear from the MSX originals through Delta: Snake Eater—US release dates, in-universe chronology from the Cold War prequel arc to Guns of the Patriots, and how to start whether you want classic twists or modern open-world stealth.

Updated August 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When each game shipped. Kojima's 1998 PlayStation breakthrough came years after the Japan-only MSX Metal Gear games—MGS3 and MGSV are prequels released mid-series. Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 bundles the MSX pair with MGS through MGS3 on modern platforms.

  • First playthrough → Release order (start MGS 1998 or Master Collection Vol. 1)—each game assumes you played the previous shipped entry; Story order is for lore replays
  • Classic release path → MGS (1998) → MGS2 → MGS3 → MGS4 → Peace Walker → MGSV (GZ → TPP); add MSX MG/MG2 when ready
  • Story-first replay → switch to Story order (MGS3/Delta through MGSV, then MSX Metal Gear → MGS1 → MGS2 → MGS4)
  • Can't stand retro controls → MGS1's Previous Operations menu summarizes MSX—or start MGSV, then backfill (spoilers out of order)
  • Modern buy → Master Collection Vol. 1 + Vol. 2 + MGSV + Delta; skip Rising unless you want Raiden's optional 2018 epilogue
Story order tips

When events happen in fiction, from Naked Snake in 1964 through Old Snake in 2014. Big Boss's arc (MGS3 → Peace Walker → MGSV) is a continuous prequel block; Solid Snake picks up at Outer Heaven in 1995.

  • Big Boss block: MGS3 (1962 prelude + 1964) → Portable Ops (1970, optional) → Peace Walker (1974) → Ground Zeroes (1975) → The Phantom Pain (1984)
  • Solid Snake block: Metal Gear (1995) → Metal Gear 2 (1997 background → 1999 Zanzibar) → MGS1 (2005) → MGS2 (2007 Tanker, two-year gap, 2009 Big Shell) → MGS4 (2014)
  • Rising (~2018) is optional—about four years after MGS4; explained in the questions below
  • On Story order, some entries are hidden to avoid spoilers—click to reveal them, or turn on Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Metal Gear

    Metal Gear

    MSX2StealthClassic

    Metal Gear (1987) is Solid Snake’s MSX2 debut—infiltrate Outer Heaven and stop a walking battle tank.

    Overview
    Top-down stealth action that invented the Metal Gear fantasy before 3D cinematic espionage. Later chapters still answer the stealth systems and themes this entry set.
    In-game setting
    1995 Outer Heaven fiction year. Story tab places it after Big Boss’s 1960s–80s arc.
    Should you play it?
    Series root. Modern players often meet Snake via MGS3 or collections first. Current storefront editions and collections are the practical buy.
    Release date
    MSX2 July 1987 (Japan); later ports/emulation and collection reissues vary.
  2. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

    Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

    MSX2StealthClassic

    Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990) refines MSX stealth—Zanzibar Land, better AI, and denser gadget play.

    Overview
    Smarter guards, radar tools, and a plot bridge into Metal Gear Solid’s continuity. Later chapters still answer the stealth systems and themes this entry set.
    In-game setting
    1999 Zanzibar Land. Direct sequel to Metal Gear before the PlayStation leap.
    Should you play it?
    Essential for MSX lore purists; skippable if starting at MGS1 with summary primers. Current storefront editions and collections are the practical buy.
    Release date
    MSX2 1990; later included in some re-release packages and emulated collections.
  3. Metal Gear Solid

    Metal Gear Solid

    PlayStationPCStealthMainline

    Metal Gear Solid (1998) reinvents Snake in 3D—Shadow Moses, FOXHOUND traitors, and codec theater.

    Overview
    Cinematic stealth landmark: solvepuzzles, boss gimmicks, and fourth-wall play that defined Kojima’s style. Later chapters still answer the stealth systems and themes this entry set.
    In-game setting
    2005 Shadow Moses. Play after MSX games on lore, or start here on accessibility.
    Should you play it?
    Common modern entry. Prefer Master Collection / HD options when available. Current storefront editions and collections are the practical buy.
    Release date
    US September 3, 1998 on PlayStation; PC later. Master Collection Vol.1 reissue path exists.
  4. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

    Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

    PlayStation 2XboxPCStealthMainline

    Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001) shifts to Raiden on the Big Shell—meme-aware politics and AI themes.

    Overview
    Perspective bait-and-switch with environmental storytelling and still-radical media satire. Later chapters still answer the stealth systems and themes this entry set.
    In-game setting
    2007–2009 Big Shell / Plant arc. Seeds Patriots mythology for MGS4.
    Should you play it?
    Direct sequel—finish MGS1 first. Substance edition adds extras. Current storefront editions and collections are the practical buy.
    Release date
    US November 13, 2001 on PS2; Xbox/PC Substance versions later; Master Collection includes it.
  5. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

    Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

    PlayStation 2Xbox 360PS3VitaStealthMainline

    Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004) is 1964 jungle espionage—Naked Snake, camouflage, and the Boss.

    Overview
    Survival stealth with face paint, hunting, and CQC that rewrote series origin myths. Later chapters still answer the stealth systems and themes this entry set.
    In-game setting
    1964 Virtuous Mission / Snake Eater. Story-tab opener for Big Boss’s path. Neighboring story-order titles cover chronology if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Best chronological start for many. Δ Snake Eater remake is the 2025 modern edition. Current storefront editions and collections are the practical buy.
    Release date
    US November 17, 2004 on PS2; HD collections later; Δ remake 2025.
  6. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops
    Optional

    Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

    PSPStealthOptional

    Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (2006) is PSP squad stealth—1970 San Hieronymo and early Big Boss myth building.

    Overview
    Recruit-and-command soldiers in a portable tactical Metal Gear campaign. Later chapters still answer the stealth systems and themes this entry set.
    In-game setting
    1970 bridge toward Peace Walker. Skip only if you accept soft-canon gaps. Neighboring story-order titles cover chronology if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Optional for some canon debates; listed for chronology completeness. Current storefront editions and collections are the practical buy.
    Release date
    US December 5, 2006 on PSP. No easy modern remaster—emulation/original hardware.
  7. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

    Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

    PlayStation 3StealthMainline

    Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008) ages Snake through a war-economy finale against the Patriots.

    Overview
    OctoCamo, Metal Gear Mk. II assist, and cinematic set pieces that close the Solid Snake arc. Later chapters still answer the stealth systems and themes this entry set.
    In-game setting
    2014 Liquid Ocelot war. Caps Snake’s numbered Solid saga before Rising’s spin.
    Should you play it?
    PS3-era finale—play after MGS2. Still awkward to rebuy officially in some regions. Current storefront editions and collections are the practical buy.
    Release date
    US June 12, 2008 on PlayStation 3. Limited reissue history—check local storefront legality.
  8. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

    Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

    PSPPS3Xbox 360StealthMainline

    Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010) builds Mother Base in 1974 Costa Rica—coop bosses and army management.

    Overview
    Base-building stealth that directly prototypes MGSV’s Mother Base fantasy on PSP hardware. Later chapters still answer the stealth systems and themes this entry set.
    In-game setting
    1974 MSF rise. Leads into Ground Zeroes / Phantom Pain. Neighboring story-order titles cover chronology if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Important Big Boss bridge. HD Edition on PS3/360 helps. Current storefront editions and collections are the practical buy.
    Release date
    US June 8, 2010 on PSP; HD Edition later on PS3/Xbox 360.
  9. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
    Optional

    Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

    PS3Xbox 360PCActionOptional

    Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013) is Raiden’s PlatinumGames sword ballet—optional post-MGS4 cyborg spectacle.

    Overview
    Blade Mode zipping and parry-centric action instead of sneaking percentages. Later chapters still answer the stealth systems and themes this entry set.
    In-game setting
    2018 Raiden arc. Skip on a Big Boss–only chronology if desired. Neighboring story-order titles cover chronology if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Optional spin after MGS4. Fine as a style detour, not stealth homework. Current storefront editions and collections are the practical buy.
    Release date
    US February 19, 2013 on PS3/Xbox 360; PC January 2014.
  10. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

    Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

    PS3PS4Xbox 360Xbox OnePCStealthMainline

    Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (2014) is the short 1975 prologue—Camp Omega stealth before Phantom Pain.

    Overview
    Fox Engine vertical slice with tape collecting and brutal MSF fallout setup. Later chapters still answer the stealth systems and themes this entry set.
    In-game setting
    1975 GZ. Directly seeds The Phantom Pain’s opening trauma. Neighboring story-order titles cover chronology if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Required before TPP for story. Often bundled / Definitive experiences. Current storefront editions and collections are the practical buy.
    Release date
    US March 18, 2014 on PS3/PS4/360/One/PC.
  11. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

    Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

    PS3PS4Xbox 360Xbox OnePCStealthMainline

    Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015) is 1984 open-world Mother Base war—Big Boss’s longest infiltration sandbox.

    Overview
    Open-world stealth, Fulton extraction, and tape-driven lore on Fox Engine freedom. Later chapters still answer the stealth systems and themes this entry set.
    In-game setting
    1984 Afghanistan/Central Africa. Incomplete story debates are FAQ territory.
    Should you play it?
    Big Boss path climax. Play after Ground Zeroes (and ideally Peace Walker). Current storefront editions and collections are the practical buy.
    Release date
    US September 1, 2015 on PS3/PS4/360/One/PC. Definitive Edition bundles GZ.
  12. Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater

    Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater

    PS5Xbox Series X/SPCStealthRemake

    Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater (2025) remakes the 1964 jungle classic for current-gen stealth audiences.

    Overview
    Modernized MGS3 presentation while preserving CQC camouflage fantasy for new hardware. Later chapters still answer the stealth systems and themes this entry set.
    In-game setting
    Replaces legacy MGS3 editions for most newcomers. Chronology still 1964. Neighboring story-order titles cover chronology if you skip optional branches.
    Should you play it?
    Preferred 2026 way to play Snake Eater. Same Story slot as MGS3. Current storefront editions and collections are the practical buy.
    Release date
    US 2025 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

FAQ

First playthrough: release vs story order, Previous Operations shortcut, three starter paths, Master Collection, and optional spin-off spoilers.

Release order

Release order. Kojima wrote each game assuming you had played the previous shipped title—prequels MGS3 and MGSV land mid-series like Star Wars prequels after the originals. Story order is cleaner for calendar years but you miss deliberate callbacks (for example Ocelot hits differently if you met him in MGS1 before MGS3). Use Story order on a second run or when you only care about lore dates.

Release order follows Konami's launch dates (1987 MSX through 2025 Delta). Story order starts with MGS3 in 1964 and ends with MGS4 in 2014—prequels MGS3, Peace Walker, and MGSV were made after MGS1 and MGS2. Use Release order for first playthroughs and how the series evolved; use Story order to follow Big Boss then Solid Snake without year jumps on a replay.

Most newcomers: Metal Gear Solid (1998 or Master Collection Vol. 1) in release order—that is the community default. Lore-first second option: Story order from MGS3 or Delta, then Peace Walker and MGSV. Modern-controls option: MGSV: The Phantom Pain first, then backfill—spoilers land out of order. Vol. 1 is the best single buy for MSX through MGS3; Vol. 2 covers MGS4 and Peace Walker HD.

Story & characters

Naked Snake becomes Big Boss (MGS3 through MGSV). You mostly play as Venom Snake in The Phantom Pain—the body double whose legend bridges into MSX Metal Gear (1995). Solid Snake is a clone (Liquid and Solidus too) who leads from Metal Gear and MGS1–4. Story order runs Big Boss's arc first, then Solid Snake's; release order jumps around because prequels shipped after MGS1 and MGS2.

Optional & spin-offs

Collections & remakes

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.