The Metal Gear franchise is one of the most iconic stealth-action series in gaming history, blending tactical espionage, deep political drama, and unforgettable characters. With so many entries across decades, newcomers and veterans alike often ask: how can we play Metal Gear Games in Order?
In this guide, we’ll break down the Metal Gear series order by release date and by the proper chronological story timeline. This way, you can choose whether to experience the series as players did when each game launched or follow Snake’s journey in the narrative’s true sequence.
Metal Gear Games in Release Order
Here’s the full list of every Metal Gear title sorted by its official launch date. Mainline entries are noted for clarity:
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Metal Gear (1987)
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Snake’s Revenge (1990)
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Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990)
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Metal Gear Solid (1998)
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Metal Gear Solid: Ghost Babel (2000)
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Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)
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Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
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Metal Gear Solid: Acid (2004)
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Metal Gear Solid: Acid 2 (2005)
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Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (2006)
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Metal Gear Solid: Mobile (2008)
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Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)
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Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)
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Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013)
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Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (2014)
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Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015)
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Metal Gear Survive (2018)
Metal Gear Games in Chronological Story Order
If you want to experience the saga as it unfolds in Snake’s universe, follow this Metal Gear story timeline order:
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Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
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Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops
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Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
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Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes
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Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
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Metal Gear (1987)
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Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake
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Metal Gear Solid (1998)
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Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
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Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
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Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Whether you follow the Metal Gear release order to see how the series evolved over time, or the chronological story order to experience the full narrative arc of Big Boss, Solid Snake, and Raiden, both approaches highlight why Metal Gear remains a legendary franchise.
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