Every gamer has that one franchise, the one that shaped their idea of what games could be. For us, that’s Metal Gear Solid. Hideo Kojima’s wild, weird, and wonderful universe of espionage, cardboard box disguises, and fourth-wall-breaking moments made us feel pretty cool…even when we fumbled and set off every alarm. Those games weren’t just about hiding from guards. They were about tangled loyalties, nuclear conspiracies, and the question of what it means to be a hero in a world that changes the rules of every mission. Sometimes, ranking these games feels like picking your favorite song from a killer album. Each brings a different flavor. So, let’s break down what we’re looking for. Story and characters have to grab us. We want gameplay that surprises, soundtracks that linger long after the controller’s down, and a legacy that keeps us talking years later. Of course, what truly makes one MGS game “one of the best Metal Gear Solid games” is always a little personal, which is half the fun!
Best Metal Gear Solid Games
If you’re new to the saga or coming back for another nostalgia trip, these are the Metal Gear Solid games worth remembering, ranked from “maybe give it a try” to “clear a weekend and dive in.”
8. Metal Gear Survive (2018, PS4/XB1/PC)
- Focuses on survival, crafting, and base defense.
We’d love to say every Metal Gear game is a masterpiece, but Survive is, to be honest, the franchise’s black sheep. Taking the series in a bizarre, zombie-survival direction, it asks players to scavenge, craft, and sometimes question whether this is really Metal Gear at all. There’s base-building, some decent co-op, and not much of the series’ signature storytelling. If you’re in it for tactical weirdness and don’t mind a less “Kojima” experience (he had nothing to do with this), fire it up. Otherwise, it’s a curiosity best left for diehards and the truly curious.
7. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (2006, PSP)
- Introduces soldier recruitment and squad-based missions.
Remember when handheld games felt like you were bringing real gaming with you, instead of just a side-show? Portable Ops, among the best Metal Gear Solid games, was that game for a lot of us. It tried really hard to deliver the Metal Gear spirit on the PSP. The mission-based structure was clever; recruiting soldiers and building a squad directly fed into the lore between MGS3 and Peace Walker. The controls could sometimes be a pickle, but wow, did it feel good sneaking and collecting stories on the go. While not essential, it’s a surprisingly heartfelt piece of the saga.
6. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010, PSP/Remastered)
- Focuses on nuclear deterrence.
Peace Walker hit like a revelation for a portable game. Suddenly, you had in-depth base management, co-op multiplayer (that actually worked), and a story that was as much about philosophy as it was about gadgets and boss fights. Playing late into the night, headphones on, the sound design and layered plot really pulled us in. Though it started as a handheld title, its impact on the DNA of the series (especially MGSV) is huge. The bite-sized missions and camaraderie among your squad still stand out.
5. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (2014, PS3/PS4/Xbox/PC)
- Sets a darker tone with themes of torture and loss.
Ground Zeroes, one of the best Metal Gear Solid games, is like the pilot episode that teases a must-watch season. This short, sweet prologue to Phantom Pain took place all in one tense camp, giving us a taste of open-world stealth. The first time we experimented with sneaking, rescuing prisoners, or just finding odd cassette tapes, there was always a new surprise tucked into a corner. Some fans grumbled about its brevity, but we remember those “what if I try this?” moments more than the complaints.
4. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015, PS3/PS4/XB/PC)
- Tells Big Boss’s descent through morally gray decisions.
Speaking of surprises, Phantom Painthen cranked the formula up to eleven. You drop into sprawling environments with a toolbox of gadgets and a thousand ways to approach your mission. At times, it almost felt too open; if such a thing is possible! Yet, commanding a base, raising your own wolf buddy, and riding across dusty Afghan plains gave us hours (and hours) of freedom and fun. The unfinished story still gets talked about, but every time “Sins of the Father” played as a chopper whisked us away, we felt like we were part of something epic.
3. Metal Gear Solid (1998, PS1/Remakes/PC)
- Cinematic cutscenes and memorable boss fights.
PlayStation’s original Metal Gear Solid, which is definitely among the best Metal Gear Solid games, is where things got wild for most of us. Codec calls, sneaking along snowy ramps, outwitting the psychic villain Psycho Mantis by switching controller ports; this was the game that made us realize, “Wow, games can really mess with your head.” Every boss fight, from the mysterious ninja to the unstoppable Metal Gear Rex, was memorable. For many, this was their first taste of Kojima’s blend of philosophy, action, and absolute weirdness, and it’s still a high-water mark.
2. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008, PS3)
- Adaptive camouflage and dynamic battlefield.
Rarely does a sequel wrap up loose ends with as much emotional punch as MGS4. There were scenes here that had us reaching for the tissue box; a true farewell to Solid Snake’s saga. Kojima leaned hard into cinematic storytelling, and while some cutscenes were… Well, really long, the payoffs were worth it. Returning faces, big nods to longtime fans, and a truly climactic sense of finality make this one unforgettable.
1. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004, PS2/Remasters)
- Survival mechanics like hunting, healing, and camouflage.
Snake Eater, one of the best Metal Gear Solid games, is the package deal: a Cold War espionage story, rugged jungle survival, and that legendary “Snake Eater” theme song. CQC (close-quarters combat), camouflage, and eating wildlife? Sign us up. The Boss, one of gaming’s most powerful antagonists, delivers a plot twist that hits us right in the emotions. This is the rare game where every system, from stamina to soundtrack, perfectly fits the setting. If you’ve ever rolled away from a crocodile and giggled instead of gasped, you know what we mean.
Honorable Mentions: Spin-Offs and Side-Steps
Every big series has those oddball siblings you can’t help but love. The surreal, card-based tactics of Metal Gear Acid and the hack-and-slash chaos of Revengeance both earn a loyal following. Ghost Babel on Game Boy Color is a hidden gem. And for anyone who wants a modern glow-up, The Twin Snakes (a GameCube remake of MGS1) has some over-the-top moments worth a look. They’re all wild rides outside the main MGS path.
How Music & Sound Make MGS Unforgettable
Sound design in the best Metal Gear Solid games? It’s legendary. Think of that alert “!” sound; instant panic and excitement. Remember creeping through grass, listening for a guard’s footsteps or the tension before a boss fight? The music does as much storytelling as the dialogue. Harry Gregson-Williams crafted scores that made each mission feel like a blockbuster movie, while the main “Snake Eater” theme could turn a regular trek through the jungle into pure drama.
Why Metal Gear Still Inspires Us and the World
Metal Gear Solid changed the way games tell stories. It’s responsible for some of gaming’s most-loved memes (“Kept you waiting, huh?”), endless debates about which boss was hardest, and even inspired other devs to experiment with stealth and cinematic flair. You’ll find cosplay at every con, and almost everyone in gaming knows Snake and Big Boss, even if they’ve never played. Few games have left as lasting a mark, and Kojima’s influence shows up every time we see a developer get ambitious.
Final Reflection: Our Metal Gear Memories
Looking back, every Metal Gear game feels like a little time capsule; a reminder of when sneakiness, mystery, and head-scratching plot twists ruled our gaming nights. No other series blends seriousness, silliness, and strategy quite like this. Have your own ranking of the best Metal Gear Solid games, a hilarious boss-battle memory, or a goofy Snake impression? We want to hear it; let’s keep the spirit of Foxhound alive in the comments! Whether you’re dusting off your PS2 or unboxing the latest console remake, remember: it’s not just about winning; it’s about sneaking, thinking on your feet, and making every encounter memorable. What’s your favorite MGS moment? Join the conversation below!
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FAQs: The Metal Gear Solid Ranking Explained
1. Why didn’t Phantom Pain make it to #1, despite its gameplay?
While The Phantom Pain gave us endless freedom and creative stealth options, its story felt incomplete; many players (us included) love a satisfying ending as much as deep gameplay.
2. Can you play these games out of order?
You technically can, but you’ll spoil some big reveals. We recommend starting with MGS1 or MGS3 for the most emotional punch.
3. Do the older games hold up today?
Surprisingly well! The controls can feel a bit dated, but the storytelling, atmosphere, and memorable boss fights are as strong now as they were at launch.
4. What’s the best way to introduce friends to Metal Gear Solid?
Start with Snake Eater or the original MGS. Their blend of action, intrigue, and fun quirks will hook most newcomers, and they hold up beautifully.
