All games in Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 1 in chronological order

The Metal Gear series has a very set timeline, but it does not go in order of the games' release dates. To truly appreciate what Kojima has given to the world, one must understand the struggles of Naked Snake before appreciating his relationship with Solid Snake. Metal Gear is certainly known for being a little cinematic, so here is the timeline order for the games in the Master Collection Vol. 1 so you can follow the story.

What order should I play Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 1 in?

The Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 1 covers all the games in the series up till 2004. The order that the games came out in, though, in no way matches their order in the timeline. To start out the full story, you should actually play the latest game in the collection.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

When playing through the collection, you're going to run into a character called Big Boss. He is more of a villain in later games, but everything in the timeline starts with his first mission as Naked Snake. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater shows the maiden mission of FOX (A precursor to FOXHOUND), as well as introducing characters like Revolver Ocelot (another huge character in the series) and The Boss (yes, there are lots of "bosses" in the series).

Metal Gear

Despite being the first Metal Gear game to actually be released, this game takes place much later than the Cold War-set Snake Eater. As such, the game features a much older Big Boss, who is in charge of Solid Snake, the main character going forward. His mission in this game is to infiltrate a place called "Outer Heaven," where agent Gray Fox has disappeared (he will show up again, though, several times). This game also features the first version of a "Metal Gear," which essentially means a bipedal large mecha with nuclear weapon capabilities.

Related: How to Play all Metal Gear Games in Order

Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake

This is a direct sequel to Metal Gear. Here, Solid Snake has to travel to Zanzibar Land to stop them from holding hostage a supply of beneficial chemicals called OILIX. There are plenty of surprises in store for Solid Snake, though, including a Metal Gear controlled by Gray Fox himself.

Metal Gear Solid

Often considered on the best games of all time, this entry in the Metal Gear series has Solid Snake infiltrating the freezing, dark, and surprisingly technologically advanced island of Shadow Moses. Here, he faces off against members of FOXHOUND, his original s unit, one of which is Revolver Ocelot. Behind everything, though, is Liquid Snake, the only villain cool enough to wear sunglasses in sub-zero temperatures at night. Gray Fox also makes a return, but there might be more to his character this time around.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Although Solid Snake does appear here, this game is notable for being the first mission for Raiden. His basic mission is to rescues some hostages from a huge oil rig, but as usual for Metal Gear, there is much more going on behind the scenes of this game. You will get to uncover the secrets behind The Patriots, who the La Li Lu Le Lo are, and a very interesting thing going on with Revolver Ocelot's arm.

Want more Metal Gear guides? Pro Game Guides has you covered with Will there be a Metal Gear Rising Revengeance 2?