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 June 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

    Hideo Kojima's MSX2 stealth mission—Outer Heaven and the first Metal Gear.

    Overview
    Top-down infiltration on MSX2 defined the stealth genre before Solid Snake went 3D—cardboard boxes and alert phases start here.
    In-game setting
    Story 1995: Solid Snake's first mission to destroy the TX-55 Metal Gear at Outer Heaven. Originally Japan-only on MSX2.
    Should you play it?
    Dated controls—many newcomers meet this chapter through Master Collection after playing the 3D games. Story order places it after MGSV.
    Release date
    Japan MSX2 launch July 13, 1987. Included in Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 (2023) on modern platforms.
  2. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

    Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

    MSX2StealthClassic

    Zanzibar Land—Solid Snake vs Big Boss on MSX2.

    Overview
    Expanded stealth toolkit, radar, and a deeper political plot—direct sequel to Metal Gear on the same hardware.
    In-game setting
    Story 1999 Zanzibar Land mission; background mercenary conflicts from 1997 lead into the uprising. Snake stops Metal Gear D and confronts Big Boss.
    Should you play it?
    Essential for story order between The Phantom Pain and MGS1. Short by modern standards.
    Release date
    Japan MSX2 launch July 20, 1990. Bundled with Metal Gear in Master Collection Vol. 1.
  3. Metal Gear Solid

    Metal Gear Solid

    PlayStationPCStealthMainline

    Solid Snake on Shadow Moses—the 3D breakthrough.

    Overview
    Full 3D stealth on PlayStation, Codec calls, Psycho Mantis, and cinematic boss fights set the template for the entire series.
    In-game setting
    Story 2005: FOXHOUND seizes Shadow Moses Island with a new Metal Gear REX prototype.
    Should you play it?
    The usual recommendation for first-time players in release order. Twin Snakes (GameCube) is a separate remake—not on this list.
    Release date
    North America PlayStation launch October 21, 1998. Master Collection (2023) adds modern console and PC ports.
  4. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

    Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

    PlayStation 2XboxPCStealthMainline

    Tanker and Big Shell—Raiden enters the franchise.

    Overview
    Split protagonist structure, post-9/11 themes, and still-controversial fourth-wall twists.
    In-game setting
    Story 2007 Tanker chapter: Solid Snake hunts Metal Gear RAY on an oil tanker—blamed when it sinks. Two in-universe years later, 2009 Big Shell chapter: Raiden infiltrates the offshore plant while Snake returns as Iroquois Pliskin.
    Should you play it?
    Play after MGS1. Heavy story spoilers for the whole series—save if you plan strict story order from MGS3.
    Release date
    North America PlayStation 2 launch November 12, 2001. Substance edition added VR missions in 2002.
  5. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

    Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

    PlayStation 2Xbox 360PS3VitaStealthMainline

    Cold War prequel—Naked Snake and The Boss in the Soviet jungle.

    Overview
    Survival camouflage, CQC, and a single continuous outdoor map—Kojima's pivot to 1960s spy thriller.
    In-game setting
    Story opens with 1962 Sokolov defection / Cuban Missile Crisis setup, then 1964 Virtuous Mission and Operation Snake Eater in Tselinoyarsk—where Big Boss's legend begins.
    Should you play it?
    Best story-order starting point for Big Boss. Delta (2025) is a full remake of this game.
    Release date
    North America PS2 launch November 17, 2004. Subsistence (2006) added online and MSX Metal Gear ports.
  6. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops
    Optional

    Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops

    PSPStealthOptional

    PSP follow-up—San Hieronymo and early FOX unit fallout.

    Overview
    Squad recruitment on PSP hardware between MGS3 and Peace Walker.
    In-game setting
    Story 1970: Naked Snake hunts a rogue FOX unit in South America—sets up MSF's origins.
    Should you play it?
    Optional on Story order—some fans skip; Peace Walker recap covers the essentials.
    Release date
    North America PSP launch December 5, 2006. Plus version (2008) added online.
  7. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

    Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

    PlayStation 3StealthMainline

    Old Snake's finale—Liquid Ocelot and the SOP system.

    Overview
    Epic-scale stealth action with long cutscenes tying every prior thread together—originally PS3-exclusive.
    In-game setting
    Story 2014: a rapidly aging Solid Snake ends the Patriots' war economy.
    Should you play it?
    Series capstone for Solid Snake—play after MGS1–2 in any path. Long cutscenes—budget time.
    Release date
    North America PS3 launch June 12, 2008. Later streamed via PS Now; no native current-gen port as of 2026.
  8. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

    Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

    PSPPS3Xbox 360StealthMainline

    Big Boss builds MSF in Costa Rica—Peace Walker AI and The Boss's echo.

    Overview
    Mission-based structure, co-op, and Mother Base management on PSP—prototype for MGSV's open worlds.
    In-game setting
    Story 1974: MSF vs CIA-backed Peace Walker in Central America.
    Should you play it?
    Core Big Boss story between MGS3 and MGSV. Play before Ground Zeroes.
    Release date
    North America PSP launch June 8, 2010. HD Edition (2011) moved it to consoles.
  9. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
    Optional

    Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

    PS3Xbox 360PCActionOptional

    PlatinumGames slash-'em-up starring Raiden—not directed by Kojima.

    Overview
    Character action instead of stealth—cyborg ninja combat at 60fps.
    In-game setting
    Story 2018: Raiden vs private military Desperado Enforcement—after MGS4 in chronology.
    Should you play it?
    Optional epilogue. Different genre—skip if you only want Kojima stealth campaigns.
    Release date
    North America launch February 19, 2013.
  10. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

    Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes

    PS3PS4Xbox 360Xbox OnePCStealthMainline

    Prologue—Camp Omega and the attack on MSF.

    Overview
    Fox Engine open-base infiltration demo bridging Peace Walker to The Phantom Pain.
    In-game setting
    Story March 1975: Big Boss infiltrates a black site in Cuba—XOF's strike ends the prologue.
    Should you play it?
    Short but mandatory for MGSV's story—play immediately before The Phantom Pain.
    Release date
    Worldwide launch March 18, 2014. Often sold alongside or before The Phantom Pain.
  11. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

    Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

    PS3PS4Xbox 360Xbox OnePCStealthMainline

    Open-world Big Boss—Diamond Dogs and Skull Face.

    Overview
    Large-scale open-world stealth, Fulton extraction, and base building—Kojima's last Metal Gear at Konami.
    In-game setting
    Story 1984: Venom Snake rebuilds in Afghanistan and Africa; bridges to Outer Heaven (1995).
    Should you play it?
    End of Big Boss's primary arc. Next in story order is the 1987 Metal Gear—expect a gameplay downgrade.
    Release date
    North America launch September 1, 2015.
  12. Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater

    Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater

    PS5Xbox Series X/SPCStealthRemake

    Unreal Engine remake of MGS3—same 1964 story, modern visuals.

    Overview
    Full remake of Snake Eater on current-gen hardware; original voice performances retained.
    In-game setting
    Same story year as MGS3 (1964)—not a new chapter. Use Story order row for MGS3.
    Should you play it?
    Substitute for MGS3 if you want current-gen graphics; story order unchanged.
    Release date
    Worldwide launch August 28, 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.