You Want to Experience the Metal Gear Saga, But Where Do You Start?
You’ve heard the legends. The intricate story of Solid Snake, Big Boss, and the Patriots is hailed as one of gaming’s greatest narratives. You’re ready to dive in, but a quick search reveals a sprawling series with numbered entries, prequels, and spin-offs released over decades. The question isn’t just “which game is first?” but “what’s the best way to experience this epic?”
Playing Metal Gear Solid in order is a commitment, but it rewards you with a deep, interconnected tale of espionage, philosophy, and betrayal unlike any other. This guide cuts through the confusion, providing two clear paths: the order of release, which is how the story was meant to be uncovered, and the chronological timeline, which follows the events as they happen in the game’s world.
The Two Paths Through Shadow Moses and Beyond
Before we list the games, it’s crucial to understand the core choice. The Metal Gear series has two primary orders: Release Order and Chronological Order. Your choice fundamentally changes your experience.
Release Order is the way the games were originally made and presented to players. You experience the story as it was revealed, with prequels filling in backstory later. This order preserves narrative twists, gameplay evolution, and the creator’s intended pacing. It’s the recommended path for first-time players.
Chronological Order follows the in-universe timeline of events, from the earliest prequel to the final sequel. This can be satisfying for understanding the full history linearly but often spoils major revelations and can feel jarring due to drastic shifts in gameplay technology and design philosophy across decades.
The Definitive Release Order Playthrough
This is the way. Start here to get the authentic, twist-filled journey.
Metal Gear Solid (1998)
Begin at the beginning. Originally for PlayStation, this is where the 3D series started. You play as Solid Snake infiltrating the Shadow Moses Island nuclear facility. It establishes the core gameplay loop of stealth, the deep lore, and the iconic characters. Modern players can access it via the Master Collection Vol. 1 or legacy platforms.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)
A direct sequel that evolves the gameplay and narrative ambition exponentially. It introduces Raiden and delves into themes of information control and digital legacy. Playing it right after MGS1 is essential for the story’s impact.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)
A prequel set in the 1960s during the Cold War. You play as Naked Snake, who will become Big Boss. This game shifts to a jungle survival setting and explains the origins of the series’ major conflicts. Its emotional weight hits hardest when you already know the future from MGS1 and 2.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)
This PlayStation 3 epic serves as a conclusion to Solid Snake’s story, tying together threads from the previous games. It’s a lore-dense, cinematic experience that only works if you’ve completed the original trilogy.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)
Originally a PSP title, this is a direct sequel to MGS3, following Big Boss building his military nation, Militaires Sans Frontières. Its gameplay is mission-based and designed for portable play, but its story is critical for understanding the bridge to the final chapter.
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (2014) & The Phantom Pain (2015)
Treat Ground Zeroes as a prologue. Then, move into The Phantom Pain, which concludes the story of Big Boss and leads directly into the events of the very first Metal Gear games from 1987. This duo features unparalleled open-world stealth gameplay.
The Complete Chronological Timeline
If you’re on a second playthrough or are solely dedicated to historical clarity, this is the order of events within the Metal Gear universe.
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (1964)
The chronological starting point. Witness the mission that creates the legend of Big Boss and sets the entire saga in motion.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (1970)
Set after the events of MGS3. While its canonicity has been debated, it details Big Boss’s formation of FOXHOUND. It’s available on PSP and is included in some legacy collections.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (1974)
Big Boss establishes his outer heaven, MSF, in Costa Rica. This game is essential for the chronological flow and directly sets up the next entry.
Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (1975)
A short, critical story mission that serves as the devastating bridge between Peace Walker and The Phantom Pain.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (1984)
The final chapter in the Big Boss saga, showing his transformation into the villain of the original games and the creation of the twin Snakes.
Metal Gear (1987) & Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990)
The 2D MSX originals. Solid Snake, under the command of Big Boss (now a villain), takes down the Metal Gear weapons. These stories are summarized in later games, but playing them shows the full circle.
Metal Gear Solid (1995)
Solid Snake’s return from retirement to the Shadow Moses incident.
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2007/2009)
Raiden’s mission on the Big Shell and Arsenal Gear.
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2014)
Old Snake’s final mission in a world ravaged by the Patriots’ system.
Choosing Your Platform and Collection
Thankfully, playing the series is easier than ever, though not all games are on all platforms. Here’s your hardware guide.
The Master Collection Vol. 1 is your entry point. Available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, it includes Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2, and Metal Gear Solid 3, along with the original 2D MSX games. This covers the absolute core of the story.
For Metal Gear Solid 4, you will need a PlayStation 3 or the PlayStation Plus Premium streaming service (where available), as it has never been ported elsewhere.
Peace Walker is included in the HD Collection (PS3, Xbox 360) and is also available for purchase on modern PlayStation stores via backward compatibility. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is widely available on all modern platforms.
Essential Tips for Your First Infiltration
Master the Radar. In the early games (MGS1-3), your radar is your best friend. It shows enemy vision cones and patrol routes. Watch it constantly.
Use First-Person View. Don’t just rely on the third-person camera. Tapping the aim button in MGS2 and 3 lets you peek around corners and aim precisely, a vital stealth tool.
Save Often, and in Multiple Slots. These are narrative-heavy games with long cutscenes. You don’t want to repeat an hour of gameplay because you got spotted. Use multiple save slots at key points.
Embrace the Codec. When in doubt, call your support team. The radio codec conversations are not just for story; they often give you critical hints for puzzles and boss strategies.
Non-Lethal is a Valid Path. You can often tranq enemies instead of killing them. In some games, this yields rewards like special items or a better ending.
Navigating Common Roadblocks and FAQs
What about the non-numbered spin-offs?
Games like Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance or Metal Gear Survive are set in the universe but are tangential side stories with different gameplay. They are not required for the core saga and can be enjoyed separately if the themes interest you.
Do I need to play the old 2D Metal Gear games?
Not strictly. Their stories are thoroughly recapped in Metal Gear Solid 1 and 4. However, playing them (included in the Master Collection) provides deeper appreciation for the series’ roots.
The controls feel dated. Any advice?
The early games use a “tank control” scheme where you turn in place. It takes getting used to. The Master Collection offers optional modern control settings for MGS2 and 3 that map movement to the left stick, which is highly recommended for new players.
How long will this entire journey take?
This is a massive undertaking. Each main game is 15-20 hours for a standard playthrough, with MGSV being 40+ hours. For the full release order, you’re looking at a 150+ hour commitment. Pace yourself.
Your Mission Briefing: The Strategic Conclusion
The Metal Gear Solid series is a landmark in interactive storytelling. To get the most from its complex narrative, start with Metal Gear Solid and follow the release order through to The Phantom Pain. This path respects the creator’s vision and ensures every shocking reveal lands with maximum impact.
Secure the Master Collection Vol. 1, allocate your rations, and prepare to infiltrate. Your mission is not just to complete these games, but to engage with their themes of identity, legacy, and the cost of war. The saga awaits, Snake.
