So you wanna dive into the Metal Gear universe? Smart move. But figuring out where to start with these games feels like defusing a nuclear warhead blindfolded. I remember trying to play these back in college – started with MGS4 and had zero clue why that old guy in the microwave scene mattered. Total confusion. Let's fix that for you.
Why Getting the Order Right Actually Matters
Metal Gear isn't just shoot-bad-guys-and-win. It's this crazy political spy novel crossed with sci-fi, packed with clones, AI conspiracies, and guys named after bodily functions. Play it wrong and you'll miss half the mind-blowing twists. Trust me, watching Solid Snake meet Big Boss hits different when you've lived through the guy's backstory.
There are two ways to tackle the metal gear games in order: by release date (how most of us experienced them) or story chronology (for hardcore fans). We'll break down both.
The Release Order: How History Unfolded
Playing by release date lets you see the tech evolve. The 1987 original feels ancient now, but man, that first time seeing 3D Snake in MGS1? Game-changer. Here's the full lineup:
| Game Title | Year | Original Platform | Key Developments | Modern Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal Gear | 1987 | MSX/NES | Invented stealth genre | Metal Gear Solid 3 Subsistence (PS2), Legacy Collection (PS3) |
| Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake | 1990 | MSX | Improved mechanics, complex story | Same as above |
| Metal Gear Solid | 1998 | PS1 | 3D gameplay, voice acting, cinematic cutscenes | GOG, PlayStation Store |
| Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty | 2001 | PS2 | Plant chapter controversy, themes of misinformation | HD Collection (PS3/X360) |
| Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater | 2004 | PS2 | CQC system, survival mechanics, jungle setting | HD Collection, 3DS version |
| Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots | 2008 | PS3 | OctoCamo, aging Snake, conclusion to Solid's story | PlayStation Now streaming |
| Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker | 2010 | PSP | Base-building, co-op missions, Monster Hunter tie-ins | HD Collection |
| Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes | 2014 | PS3/PS4/Xbox/PC | Open-world prologue, controversial themes | Standalone or with MGSV: Definitive |
| Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain | 2015 | PS4/Xbox One/PC | Full open world, base management, unfinished story | All modern platforms |
Personal take? Metal Gear Solid 3 holds up best today. That jungle still feels alive. But Metal Gear Solid 2? Weirdly predicts social media and fake news. Scary accurate now.
Annoying Truth: Konami delisted the original Metal Gear Solid from PSN in 2021. Physical PS1 copies go for $80+ on eBay. Absolute nightmare for new players.
Where to Play the Classics in 2023
- PC Players: GOG has MGS1 and MGS2 (requires fan patches for controllers). MGSV runs beautifully on modern rigs.
- PlayStation Owners: PS3 is still the king via Legacy Collection (includes MG1, MG2, MGS1-4, PW). PS5 only has MGSV.
- Xbox Fans: Backwards compatible HD Collection (MGS2/3/PW) plus MGSV.
Chronological Story Order: The Saga Timeline
Want to experience the saga like history class? This metal gear games in order approach starts with Big Boss's origin. Heavy stuff.
| Timeline Year | Game Title | Protagonist | Major Plot Points | Play Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater | Naked Snake | Cold War espionage, birth of Big Boss | 15-20 hrs |
| 1974 | Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker | Big Boss | Building Mother Base, nuclear deterrence | 25-40 hrs |
| 1975 | Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes | Big Boss | Camp Omega rescue mission | 2 hrs (main) |
| 1984 | Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain | Venom Snake | Revenge, Diamond Dogs, Quiet subplot | 45-100+ hrs |
| 1995 | Metal Gear | Solid Snake | Outer Heaven uprising | 4-6 hrs |
| 1999 | Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake | Solid Snake | Zanzibar Land, final Gray Fox fight | 6-8 hrs |
| 2005 | Metal Gear Solid | Solid Snake | Shadow Moses, Liquid Snake reveal | 10-15 hrs |
| 2007-2009 | Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty | Raiden/Snake | Big Shell incident, Patriots reveal | 15-20 hrs |
| 2014 | Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots | Old Snake | Liquids Ocelot, war economy endgame | 20 hrs |
Controversial opinion? Playing chronologically ruins MGS3's ending. That final salute hits harder when you don't know Big Boss becomes a warlord. Still gives me chills.
Required Reading for Timeline Playthrough
- Portable Ops (2006): PSP-only bridge between MGS3 and PW. Not on modern platforms.
- Metal Gear Rising: Non-canon Raiden spin-off set after MGS4. Pure hack-n-slash.
- Snake's Revenge: NES "sequel" not directed by Kojima. Officially ignored.
Where New Players Should Actually Start
Look, I love chronological purists, but starting with MGS3's 1964 jungle means missing callbacks later. My honest advice:
- Option 1 (For Commitment): MGS1 → MGS2 → MGS3 → Peace Walker → MGSV → MGS4
- Option 2 (For Modern Gamers): MGS3 → MGSV → MGS1 → MGS2 → MGS4
- "Just Give Me Kojima's Best": MGS3 → MGS1 → MGS2 → MGSV
Tried getting my buddy into Metal Gear last year. He quit during MGS1's backtracking. Some people just can't handle classics.
Essential Metal Gear Games FAQ
What's the shortest Metal Gear game?Ground Zeroes (2 hours). Longest? The Phantom Pain (50+ hours). Peace Walker's monster hunts add 20+ hours alone.
Can I skip the original MSX games?
Yes... but MG2's story holds up. Emulate it with save states. Those old landmines are brutal.
Why isn't Metal Gear Solid V chronological order listed first?
Playing MGSV before MG1/2 spoils Big Boss's downfall. Venom Snake's twist lands better post-classics.
Which games are considered non-canon?
Ghost Babel (GBC), Acid series (PSP), Survive (2018). All fun but irrelevant to Solid Snake's saga.
Will Metal Gear Solid 4 ever leave PS3?
Rumored for years. Konami's radio silence makes me doubt it. Emulation requires beefy PC.
Preservation Crisis: Can You Still Play Them All?
Konami's handling of the series drives me nuts. As of 2023:
- Lost Games: MGS4 (PS3 exclusive), Portable Ops (PSP), original MG1/MG2 (only via collections)
- At Risk: MGS1 digital versions disappearing. Physical discs aging poorly.
- Safe Bets: MGSV on everything, HD Collection on Xbox via backwards compatibility
My 2008 MGS4 disc started skipping last year. Panic-bought another copy. This franchise deserves better.
Emulation Ethics
Legally gray area. If you own the game? PS2 emulators handle MGS3 beautifully at 4K. Xbox Series X runs HD Collection at 60fps. But PSP emulation for Peace Walker? Lifesaver.
Final Thoughts: Why This Order Matters
Metal Gear games in order reveal Kojima's genius. Seeing gameplay evolve from 1987's grid-based stealth to MGSV's open world? Wild ride. And no other series makes you question war, AI, and memes while fighting a guy on rollerblades.
Still mad about The Phantom Pain's cut content though. Chapter 3 should've happened.
Anyway - start with MGS1 if you can find it. Or just jump to Snake Eater. Either way, turn off the console during Codec calls. Your family will thank you.
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