GameOrder.gg — Metal Gear Checklist
GameOrder.gg — free franchise play orders and collector guides
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The Metal Gear franchise has 13 entries. Play in Release Order for newcomers, Chronological Order for lore completionists.
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| OwnedYour shelfOwn | # | Title | Year | Platform | CIBComplete In BoxCIB $ | WarningsFakes · Region · Audio | Find / Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metal GearRecommended ⓘ | 1987 | NES | SimpleWhat is CIB? →— | — | ||
| 2 | Metal Gear 2: Solid SnakeRecommended ⓘ | 1990 | MSX2 | Simple— | — | ||
| 3 | Metal Gear SolidEssential ⓘ Black label commands premium over Greatest Hits green label | 1998 | PS1 | Moderate— | ⚠️ Rental | ||
| 4 | Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of LibertyEssential ⓘ | 2001 | PS2 | Moderate— | ⚠️ Rental | ||
| 5 | Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake EaterEssential ⓘ | 2004 | PS2 | Complex— | — | ||
| 6 | Metal Gear Solid: Portable OpsRecommendedDELISTED | 2006 | PSP | —— | — | ||
| 7 | Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the PatriotsEssentialDELISTED Removed from PS3 store Feb 17 2026. Physical copy or Master Collection Vol.2 (Aug 27 2026) required. | 2008 | PS3 | Complex— | — | ||
| 8 | Metal Gear Solid: Peace WalkerEssentialDELISTED Removed from PSP store Feb 17 2026. | 2010 | PSP | Moderate— | — | ||
| 9 | Metal Gear Rising: RevengeanceSpinoff ⓘ | 2013 | PS3 | Simple— | — | ||
| 10 | MGSV: Ground ZeroesEssential ⓘ | 2014 | PS4 | Simple— | — | ||
| 11 | MGSV: The Phantom PainEssential ⓘ | 2015 | PS4 | Moderate— | — | ||
| 12 | Metal Gear SurviveOptional ⓘ | 2018 | PS4 | Simple— | — | ||
| 13 | Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake EaterOptional ⓘ | 2025 | PS5 | Simple— | — |
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Essential marks the installments that carry the spine of Metal Gear's main story and world-building — the ones collectors and lore-focused players treat as must-play for the core narrative. On GameOrder, Essential titles include Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, MGSV: Ground Zeroes, and MGSV: The Phantom Pain.
Recommended entries meaningfully enrich the franchise — strong stories, fan favorites, or connective tissue that pays off after the essentials, without being strictly required. Recommended picks here: Metal Gear, Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake, and Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops.
Optional games are fair to skip for continuity; they are side paths, experiments, or lighter fare that fans can pick up when they want more, not when they need the main plot. Optional tagged titles: Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and Metal Gear Survive.
Spinoff titles sit apart from the primary saga — different genres, timelines, or branding — and are best treated as extras after you know the heart of the series. Spinoff entries listed: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance.