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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →For the story chronology, start with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (1964), then play Peace Walker, Ground Zeroes (1975), The Phantom Pain (1984), the two original Metal Gear games, and the Solid Snake-era titles through Metal Gear Solid 4 (2014). Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is an optional follow-up set in 2018. This order follows when the events happen, not when the games were released; choose release order instead if you want the series’ original reveal sequence.
Spoilers: Konami warns that its chronology contains major spoilers. The list below names the games and their story years, followed by brief context about their place in the series.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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METAL GEAR SOLID | MASTER COLLECTION Vol. 2 - PlayStation 5 | $49.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol. 1 - PS5 | $33.59 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol 1 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol 1 [GRA PS4]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ORg2BygsL._SL160_.jpg)
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Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol 1 [GRA PS4] | $49.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Metal Gear Solid games in story chronological order
- Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater — 1964. The earliest core entry in this chronology, covering the Virtuous Mission and Operation Snake Eater.
- Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker — after Snake Eater, before Ground Zeroes. Konami’s cited chronology places it between those games; the cited material does not state an exact year. Big Boss builds Mother Base and Militaires Sans Frontières amid his conflict with Cipher.
- Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes — 1975. This prologue to The Phantom Pain takes place one year after Peace Walker.
- Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain — 1984. Set nine years after Ground Zeroes, following the fall of Mother Base.
- Metal Gear — 1995. The Outer Heaven uprising bridges the Big Boss-era games and the later Solid Snake story.
- Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake — 1999. The Zanzibar Land uprising precedes the events of Metal Gear Solid.
- Metal Gear Solid — 2005. Solid Snake returns for the Shadow Moses incident.
- Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty — 2007–2009. Its story spans events across both years.
- Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots — 2014. The culmination of Solid Snake’s main story.
- Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance — 2018 (optional). This later follow-up is best treated as an epilogue, not a required mainline entry.
Konami’s official timeline and Legacy Collection chronology support the dated placements. Its chronology places Peace Walker between Snake Eater and Ground Zeroes, but the cited excerpt does not give Peace Walker an exact year. Konami’s series timeline and Legacy Collection chronology provide the underlying sequence.
Why the chronology differs from release order
Story chronology sorts the games by the fictional calendar. Release order sorts them by when players first encountered them. For example, the original Metal Gear was released in 1987 but is set in 1995, while Snake Eater was released decades later and takes place in 1964. Playing in chronology means starting with a later-released prequel, so you encounter some backstory before the games that originally revealed it.
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- GAME LIST: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version), Metal Gear: Ghost Babel. Versions for other regions of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version) can be downloaded separately from the store. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker supports online play for up to 6 players.
- DIGITAL BOOKS: Metal Gear Solid 4: Screenplay Book, Metal Gear Solid 4: Master Book, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Screenplay Book, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Master Book. All are accessible via the in-game Start Menu.
- METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1 SAVE-DATA BONUS*: If a user has saved data for any title included in METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol.1, you can receive in-game items usable in Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version) respectively. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Bonus: Gold Camouflage. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (HD Collection version) Bonus: GOLD Uniform.
- Choose chronological order if you want events to unfold in in-world sequence.
- Choose release order if preserving the original reveal sequence matters more to you.
Neither is universally correct; they prioritize different experiences. The sequence above answers the story-chronology question, rather than blending release dates with fictional years.
Should you include the original Metal Gear games?
Yes, if you want the full story chronology. Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake sit between the 1984 events of The Phantom Pain and the 2005 events of Metal Gear Solid. Skipping them is a reasonable choice if you do not want to play the older games, but it leaves out the Outer Heaven and Zanzibar Land uprisings. A plot recap can help bridge that gap.
Rank #2
- Title Lineup:Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid (Including VR Missions/Special Missions), Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (HD Collection version), Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (HD Collection version), Metal Gear (NES/FC version), Snake's Revenge
- Video: Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel, Metal Gear Solid 2: Digital Graphic Novel
- Digital book: Metal Gear Solid: Screenplay Book, Metal Gear Solid: Master Book, Metal Gear Solid 2: Screenplay Book, Metal Gear Solid 2: Master Book, Metal Gear Solid 3: Screenplay Book, Metal Gear Solid 3: Master Book, Metal Gear & Metal Gear 2: Screenplay Book, Metal Gear & Metal Gear 2: Master Book
- Soundtrack: Metal Gear Solid: Digital Soundtrack
What about Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops?
This timeline does not assign Portable Ops a definitive position. The cited official chronology material does not settle its placement or status clearly enough to recommend inserting it into the required order. Treat it as outside this core sequence rather than guessing at a year.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to find several games together
Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1 is one collection to check when looking for multiple entries in a package. Konami’s product page describes its collection of series games, but does not establish current price, stock, or availability by region. Check the listed titles, platform compatibility, physical or digital format, and your region’s edition before buying: Konami’s Master Collection Vol. 1 page.
Rank #3
- Play at home and on the go
- An ideal gift idea for a loved one
- Game is simple to understand and quick to play
The historical Metal Gear Solid: The Legacy Collection was a PlayStation 3 package that included selected games and Blu-ray video extras. It is a reminder to verify exactly what a bundle contains, not current platform or availability advice. Konami’s Legacy Collection page documents that package.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Title Lineup: Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, Metal Gear Solid (Including VR Missions/Special Missions), Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (HD Collection version), Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (HD Collection version), Metal Gear (NES/FC version), Snake's Revenge
- Video: Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel, Metal Gear Solid 2: Digital Graphic Novel
- Digital book: Metal Gear Solid: Screenplay Book, Metal Gear Solid: Master Book, Metal Gear Solid 2: Screenplay Book, Metal Gear Solid 2: Master Book, Metal Gear Solid 3: Screenplay Book, Metal Gear Solid 3: Master Book, Metal Gear & Metal Gear 2: Screenplay Book, Metal Gear & Metal Gear 2: Master Book
- Soundtrack: Metal Gear Solid: Digital Soundtrack
- The origin of stealth action returns. METAL GEAR SOLID: MASTER COLLECTION Vol. 1 unifies the beginning of the METAL GEAR gameplay experience in one single package. Infiltrate enemy fortresses all over the globe, complete your missions with stealth and experience the thrilling cinematic story of the METAL GEAR series.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
