Bloody Hell, Metal Gear Solid's Timeline is a Trip – Let's Unpack It Chronologically!

AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·

Bloody Hell, Metal Gear Solid's Timeline is a Trip – Let's Unpack It Chronologically!

Untangling the gloriously convoluted Metal Gear Solid timeline is a wild ride, but with Konami dusting off classics like the upcoming MGS Delta: Snake Eater, now's the perfect time to chronologically dive into the legendary saga of Big Boss and Solid Snake, despite the myriad non-canon spin-offs and the lingering question marks about the franchise's future without Kojima.

Right, so you know that feeling when you try to explain the plot of *Kingdom Hearts* to someone, and their eyes just glaze over? Multiply that by ten, add a dash of Cold War espionage, sprinkle in some genetically engineered super-soldiers, and you're roughly in the postcode of trying to untangle the *Metal Gear Solid* timeline. Bloody hell, it's a saga!

Hideo Kojima and Konami, bless their chaotic hearts, crafted a series so profoundly iconic, so riddled with twists and philosophical musings, that it practically etched itself into the very fabric of gaming history. From Snake's dramatic elevator ride in Shadow Moses to the gut-wrenching final stand in *Snake Eater*, these aren't just moments; they're the sort of digital wizardry that makes you wonder what reality-bending spell they cast to create them. Honestly, the influence is so massive, many reckon *Metal Gear* is among the most important IPs ever to grace our screens.

For years, it felt like *Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain* (back in 2015, if you can believe it) was the mic drop, the final, melancholic curtain call after Kojima decided to pack up his genius and form his own studio. But, as any seasoned gamer knows, nothing truly stays 'over' in this industry. Konami, ever the curious alchemists, has started rummaging through their old spellbooks, conjuring up re-releases and remakes. Case in point: *Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater*, shimmering on the horizon later this year. Suddenly, we've got a whole new generation (and plenty of us old snakes) diving into this gloriously bonkers world of spies, shady conspiracies, and dudes with an uncanny knack for cool eyepatches.

So, if you're feeling a bit lost – like you've accidentally stepped through a portal into a parallel dimension where history is… fluid – fear not, mate. We're about to embark on a chronological expedition through the *Metal Gear* saga. It's less a straight line and more a tangled ball of yarn that's been through a washing machine with a super-soldier for good measure. Let's dig in and figure out why it all matters, shall we?

### The Canon Conundrum (Or, Which Spells Actually Work?)

But first, a quick word about the wider *Metal Gear* universe. See, the main saga? That's about eleven games that actually fit into the grand narrative. But Konami and Kojima, in their infinite wisdom (or perhaps just for a bit of experimental fun), also birthed seventeen *total* games. That leaves a fair chunk of 'em chilling outside the main canon, doing their own thing. It's like they cast a spell, and a few alternate realities just kinda... popped out, creating their own unique takes on the universe.

Take 2018's *Metal Gear Survive*, for instance. While it offered some interesting co-op elements, its apocalyptic, zombie-infested reality definitely sidesteps the main storyline. It's like a 'what if' scenario that went a bit too far. Then you've got the PSP's *Metal Gear: Acid* and *Acid 2*, which are essentially card-based strategy spin-offs. Great for a bit of tactical fun, but they chart their own course, rather than sticking to the main timeline. And who could forget the Game Boy Color's *Metal Gear: Ghost Babel*? An alternate-universe sequel that, in a bold move, just said 'nah' to *Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake*'s events. Bold, maybe, but decidedly non-canon.

Even *Metal Gear Mobile* and the NES's *Snake's Revenge* got the official 'non-canon' stamp from the community and even Kojima himself, apparently. Honestly, it's like trying to keep track of a wizard's experimental potions – some are clearly part of the master plan, and others are just for a bit of a laugh. So, for our purposes, we're focusing on those core eleven, the ones that weave together into one epic, albeit convoluted, tale stretching from a fictional alternate-history 1960s to the late 2010s.

### Where to Begin Your MGS Adventure (Without Getting Lost in the Jungle)

For those brave souls looking to dive in, I reckon you've got two decent starting points. If you're keen on the complete, unadulterated saga, grab the 2023's *Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 1*. It bundles the best available versions of *Metal Gear Solid 1-3*, giving you a solid foundation (pun intended). Alternatively, if you're just testing the waters – or, let's be honest, you've got a lower tolerance for older game mechanics (no shame in that, mate!) – then jumping into *Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain* is a surprisingly good shout. It’s the most contemporary, visually stunning, and arguably most mechanically refined entry, offering a brilliant taste of the franchise's core appeal.

### The Metal Gear Solid Timeline: A Chronological De-tangle

Fair warning: these blurbs contain mild spoilers, but honestly, with MGS, half the fun is seeing *how* the chaos unfolds. Think of it as peeking at a recipe's ingredients list, not the final dish.

**1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (The Genesis of a Legend)**

Ah, where it all truly begins, chronologically speaking. This Cold War cracker, soon to get the glorious *Delta* remake treatment, throws you into the jungle boots of Naked Snake, a US Special Forces operative. His mission: extract a Russian scientist and stop a super-weapon. Sounds simple, right? Nope. His mentor, The Boss, seemingly betrays the US. After a brutal defeat, Snake is tasked by Zero to hunt down and eliminate his former teacher. This journey isn't just about saving the world; it’s about duty, betrayal, and the birth of a legend. Naked Snake becomes Big Boss, his soul scarred, disillusioned with the government he serves – the man who will become both hero and villain.

**2. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (FOX Unit's Folly)**

Six years after The Boss's tragic end, we rejoin Big Boss as he's caught in a new mess. His former squad, FOX Unit, has gone rogue, betraying the CIA. Accused of treason after his capture and escape, Boss hunts down his former allies and their ruthless leader, Gene, to clear his name. This game is crucial for showing Big Boss’s growing independence and his early steps toward building his own military ideal, eventually forming FOXHOUND. The seeds of Outer Heaven are being sown.

**3. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (The Birth of Motherbase)**

Four years on, Big Boss has well and truly peaced out from FOXHOUND and the shadowy 'Patriots.' Now, he and Kazuhira Miller have founded Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF) – a private army for those who can't protect themselves. They’re dragged into a conflict in Costa Rica against the 'Peace Sentinels,' where Boss discovers his former mentor, The Boss, is somehow involved, and they’ve got nukes and a terrifying mech, the Peace Walker. This is where Motherbase, that iconic offshore oil rig, truly comes into its own. The game culminates in a massive battle and the revelation that Paz, a seemingly innocent ally, is actually a secret agent for Zero's nefarious organization, Cipher.

**4. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (The Calm Before the Storm)**

Just months after *Peace Walker*, this acts as a prologue to *The Phantom Pain*. Big Boss is on a rescue mission: Paz survived, and she's being interrogated by Cipher at Camp Omega. She holds critical secrets about Cipher and MSF. While infiltrating, he stumbles upon XOF, a mysterious Cipher cell led by the utterly sadistic, scarred Skull Face. The prologue ends in absolute tragedy: Snake extracts Paz, only for Motherbase to be utterly destroyed by XOF, wiping out MSF and leaving Big Boss on the brink of death. A truly gut-punching setup.

**5. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (The Venomous Descent)**

Nine years later, Big Boss – now Venom Snake – awakens in a Cyprus hospital, severely injured and narrowly escaping assassination with Revolver Ocelot’s help. Vowing revenge against XOF, he forms the Diamond Dogs, tracing Skull Face to Africa. There, he uncovers XOF's devastating parasitic weapon aimed at the Western world. This game delves deep into identity, revenge, and the cost of war, culminating with Venom Snake setting in motion his plans for Outer Heaven – a military nation for soldiers free from manipulation. This is where the legend truly bifurcates, mate.

**6. Metal Gear (The Rookie's Gambit)**

Jump forward 11 years! We meet Solid Snake, a rookie FOXHOUND soldier. And who's running FOXHOUND? None other than Big Boss, acting as Snake's mentor. Snake's first mission: infiltrate Outer Heaven (sound familiar?), a military nation building a weapon of mass destruction – the mech codenamed Metal Gear. The game culminates in Solid Snake and Big Boss coming to blows, with Boss revealing he was behind Outer Heaven. The student confronts the mentor, beginning a cycle of conflict that echoes throughout the series.

**7. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (The Mentor's Encore)**

Only four years later, Solid Snake is back in action. Why? Because Big Boss, being the resilient chap he is, survived their last encounter and is now building *another* Metal Gear for the fictional nation of Zanzibar Land. Teaming up with various allies, Snake infiltrates Zanzibar Land to destroy this new super-weapon, leading to another confrontation with Big Boss and his army. This further cements the rivalry and the cyclical nature of power and conflict in the MGS universe.

**8. Metal Gear Solid (The PlayStation Revolution)**

Six years after *Metal Gear 2*, Solid Snake returns in what became a landmark title for the PlayStation. This time, he's battling his former unit, FOXHOUND, which has gone rogue and seized control of a secret government facility on Shadow Moses Island. They're threatening nuclear war with a new Metal Gear unless they get Big Boss's corpse and a hefty ransom. Snake faces off against iconic FOXHOUND members like Revolver Ocelot, Psycho Mantis, and a cyborg Grey Fox, plus the charismatic (and slightly unhinged) Liquid Snake. The game ends with Snake 'killed-in-action' by Colonel Campbell and presumed dead, double-crossed by the government. He escapes, now a rogue operative.

**9. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (The Raiden Reveal)**

Two years later, a now-rogue Solid Snake infiltrates an oil tanker, hunting a new Metal Gear prototype. Revolver Ocelot steals it, sinks the tanker, and Snake gets the blame. Fast-forward another two years, and we get a new protagonist: Raiden, a FOXHOUND agent sent to 'Big Shell' – an offshore decontamination facility hijacked by the 'Sons of Liberty.' Raiden uncovers far more than he bargained for, including Big Shell's true purpose and a surprising ally in 'Iroquois Pliskin' (spoiler: it's Solid Snake). The game peels back layers of conspiracy, revealing the puppet masters: the Patriots. Solid Snake joins Raiden, vowing to hunt down Ocelot (now possessed by Liquid Snake) and the Patriots.

**10. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (Old Snake's Last Stand)**

Three years after *Sons of Liberty*, this marks the end of Solid Snake’s story. Due to accelerated aging from his cloning and the FOXDIE virus, he's now 'Old Snake' with only a year left to live. His final mission: assassinate Liquid Ocelot, who’s running a new Outer Heaven composed of powerful private militaries. Equipped with nanomachines, Snake faces his ultimate nemesis, battling his own body and the mutating FOXDIE, all while uncovering Ocelot's mysterious plan involving Big Boss's corpse and the Patriots. It’s a truly epic, emotional, and lore-heavy conclusion to Solid Snake's incredible journey.

**11. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (Raiden's Violent Justice)**

The final chapter in the current timeline, this one picks up four years after *Guns of the Patriots*. Raiden, now a full-blown cyborg, works for Maverick Security Consulting. During an operation in Africa, he’s ambushed by a rival group, Desperado Enforcement, and left for dead by Jetstream Sam. Wounded but undeterred, Raiden's investigation into Desperado uncovers dark secrets about their allies. This shifts the focus from stealth to exhilarating, over-the-top hack-and-slash action, with Raiden dishing out his own brand of violent justice. It's a wildly different flavour but still ties up Raiden's story arc in spectacular fashion.

### What's Next for Metal Gear? (And Jeff's Gentle Skepticism)

Well, *Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater* is definitely the big ticket item, rebuilding that Cold War classic from the ground up. Shown with a cinematic trailer during PlayStation’s 2023 summer showcase, and with its release date finally dropping – August 28, 2025, according to Sony's State of Play – it feels a bit like a magical artefact has finally been unearthed. IGN's early peeks reckon the stealth-action mechanics are still solid gold, and Kojima's signature blend of political drama and campiness is well and truly intact, which is great news for both newcomers and grizzled veterans.

But what about the *future* future, eh? That's where a bit of Jeff's gentle skepticism kicks in. Konami hasn't exactly been shouting from the rooftops about making entirely *new* Metal Gear games without the maestro Kojima at the helm. Virtuous Studios, the folks behind Delta, did float the idea of more remakes, saying they'll 'listen to player demand.' And fair dinkum, I get it. Remakes are often a safe bet, a way to re-engage with beloved IPs without risking too much. But it leaves you wondering, doesn't it? Will Konami ever dare to conjure up an original story, or are we just destined for a glorious, polished tour through the past? Only time, and perhaps another cryptic message from a shadowy government organisation, will tell.

Regardless of what lies ahead, the *Metal Gear* saga is a monumental achievement in gaming. It's messy, it's brilliant, and it absolutely demands your attention. So grab your cardboard box, learn how to crawl, and dive into one of gaming's most unforgettable adventures. You won't regret it, mate.

Original article by Callum Williams for IGN South Africa.

Tags: Metal Gear Solid, Gaming History, Timeline Guide, Konami, Game Remakes

Original article: IGN South Africa