Every Metal Gear game, ranked
All 10 Metal Gear games we hold, spanning 1987 to 2015: 2 ranked by the GamingPickz Score and plotted below, the rest listed in release order so nothing in the series is missing. Together they carry 196,721 Steam reviews.
Where to start
- For the best-reviewed: Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (GamingPickz Score 8.2), the highest-rated entry we can score.
- For canon order: begin with Metal Gear (1987) and follow the release-order timeline below.
The Metal Gear games on the grid
Compare the whole catalogueThe same 2 games, plotted rather than listed. The two axes below are the ones the ranking is built from, so a game sitting high and right is a game the formula placed near the top. Change either axis to see the field a different way. Where we hold a publisher wordmark, the game is drawn as its mark rather than a dot.
2 games have both
Axes are fitted to these 2 games rather than the full 0 to 100 scale, because a filtered list shares a narrow band and would otherwise sit in one corner. End values are marked. A point on the left edge is the lowest of thesegames, not a low score.
Players. The share of Steam reviews marked positive, pulled toward the catalogue average in proportion to how few reviews stand behind it. A game with 200 reviews moves a long way toward the average; one with 200,000 barely moves at all. Without this a title sitting at 100 percent on nine reviews outranks Half-Life 2 at 98 percent on 278,000.
Popularity. A blend of two things that are not the same. Audience is how many people wrote a Steam review, which is a floor on how many played it. Reach is how many language editions of Wikipedia document the game, which is cultural footprint rather than sales. A game can score high on one and low on the other: a huge free-to-play title has audience without reach, and a landmark console exclusive has reach without a Steam audience at all. Where both exist they are averaged; where only one does, that one carries it.
- Mobile
- Multi-platform
Every point links to that game's entry. The value map and the reception map are fixed views of the same data.
How positions are decided
No paid placement, no favouritism, live third-party data
- Placed by the published method, not by us. Every coordinate is computed from the axis definitions and weights printed on this site. Nobody moves a point. See the axes.
- Nothing here is paid for. No sponsored placements, no promoted slots, no arrangement of any kind affects a position. If that ever changes it will be labelled and sit outside the ranking.
- No favouritism, including our own. The 16 games we have written full reviews of are scored by exactly the same formula as the other 1,510, from the same third-party inputs, and they land where it puts them. Our own opinion of a game does not enter its coordinates.
- A position is not an endorsement. It says how a game was received and what it costs, not that we recommend it. Where we do recommend something, it carries a written review with a name on it.
- Fetched from live third-party data. Player sentiment from Steam, critic aggregates as published on store pages, prices checked hourly, attention from Wikipedia. Each figure carries its source and the date it was read, and we do not adjust any of them.
Every game by critic score
The grid above is built from Steam data, so it can only place the Metal Gear games that were on Steam. This one uses the Metacritic critic aggregate, which the older console-only entries have too, so the whole series lands on a single chart: critic score against release year.
On Steam (also has a GamingPickz Score) Console-only (Metacritic only)
2 best Metal Gear games, ranked
Ordered by GamingPickz Score. Every figure links back to the source that produced it.
- 1
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Best for: Playing with other people
8.2GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceMetal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain at a glance Released 2015 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 92% positive of 107,873 Critics 91/100 Price $19.99 Steam Deck playable Install size 28 GB Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 92% shrinks to 92.0 on 107,873 reviews, then blends with the 91 critic aggregate, giving 8.2.
What the data supports- 92% positive across 107,873 reviews is a strong signal at that volume, where a few enthusiasts cannot move the number.
Worth checking first- Carries in-game purchases. Check what they cost before committing.
- Flagged for mature content on its store page.
- 2
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Best for: A consistently well-received pick in this category
8.2GamingPickz Scorehigh confidenceMetal Gear Rising: Revengeance at a glance Released 2013 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 96% positive of 88,848 Critics 83/100 Price $29.99 Steam Deck verified Install size 25 GB Accessibility 1 declared feature Raw 96% shrinks to 95.9 on 88,848 reviews, then blends with the 83 critic aggregate, giving 8.2.
What the data supports- Valve has tested it and rates it Verified on the Steam Deck.
Worth checking first- Players rate it well above critics, 96 against 83. Usually a sign it improved after launch, or that it delivers something reviewers undervalued.
Only the 2 Metal Gear games with Steam review data can be scored and ranked. The complete series, scored or not, is charted in order below.
Best and worst entry
The best-received Metal Gear game we can score is Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain at 8.2. The lowest is Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance at 8.2, a 0.0-point spread across the series. The GamingPickz Score is a composite of player sentiment, critics and popularity, computed the same way for every game.
Cheapest way in, and best value
- Cheapest right now: Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain at $19.99. Prices are read live from Steam and move.
- Best value: Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, the most GamingPickz Score per dollar in the series at its current price.
On a Steam Deck
Valve's own Deck compatibility rating for the Metal Gear entries on Steam:
- Verified: Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
- Playable: Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain
Platforms across the series
Where the 10 Metal Gear games have landed, counting every entry we hold:
| Platform family | Entries |
|---|---|
| PC | 6 of 10 |
| PlayStation | 7 of 10 |
| Xbox | 4 of 10 |
| Nintendo | 2 of 10 |
| Mobile | 1 of 10 |
The Metal Gear series, game by game
Every Metal Gear game we hold, in release order. Each description is the game's own, from Steam where it has a listing and Wikipedia for the older entries, never ours.
- 1987
Metal Gear
not scoredMetal Gear is a 1987 action-adventure stealth game developed and published by Konami for the MSX2. Originally released in Japan and parts of Europe in July 1987, it is the first mainline game in the Metal Gear series, the fifth chronologically, and the first video game developed by Hideo Kojima. Players control Solid… (Wikipedia)
Plot
Setting Metal Gear takes place in 1995, which is not defined in the Japanese MSX2 version of the game, and referred to the year as "19XX", the release of Metal Gear Solid established the date within its narrative. The game forms the first entry in an overarching plot concerning the character of Solid Snake, with the origins of the game's plot being later explored in 2015's Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain . Characters See also: List of characters in… (Wikipedia)
Characters
See also: List of characters in the Metal Gear series The player's character is Solid Snake, a rookie member of the special forces group FOXHOUND sent on his first mission. He is assisted via radio by his commanding officer Big Boss , who offers information about mission objectives and items. Snake can also contact people in a local resistance movement composed of leader Schneider, a former architect who guides Snake through the layout of the fortress… (Wikipedia)
Reception
The MSX2 version of Metal Gear was ranked on MSX Magazine s top 20 best selling MSX games in Japan for five months, debuting at no. 4 on the October 1987 issue and peaking at no. 3 the following month. (Wikipedia)
- 1998
Metal Gear Solid
Metacritic 94Metal Gear Solid is a 1998 action-adventure stealth game developed and published by Konami for the PlayStation. Directed, produced, and written by Hideo Kojima, the game is the third mainline installment in the Metal Gear series, the seventh chronologically, and serves as a sequel to the MSX2 game Metal Gear 2: Solid… (Wikipedia)
Plot
Setting Metal Gear Solid takes place in an alternate history in which the Cold War continued into the 1990s, ending at some point near the end of the 20th century. The game takes place in 2005, six years after the events of Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake , and form the third chapter in an overarching plot concerning the character of Solid Snake. Characters Main article: List of Metal Gear characters § Introduced in Metal Gear Solid The protagonist is Solid… (Wikipedia)
Characters
Main article: List of Metal Gear characters § Introduced in Metal Gear Solid The protagonist is Solid Snake ( Akio Otsuka / David Hayter ), a legendary infiltrator and saboteur. During the mission, Snake receives support and advice via codec radio. Colonel Roy Campbell , Solid Snake's former commanding officer , supports Snake with information and tactics. (Wikipedia)
Reception
Reception Prior to release, the game's demonstrations at several trade shows between 1996 and 1998 had received a positive response. This had generated significant worldwide interest in the game prior to its release in 1998. Critical reception Metal Gear Solid received "universal acclaim", according to review aggregator website Metacritic . (Wikipedia)
- 2001
Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty
Metacritic 96Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty is a 2001 action-adventure stealth game developed and published by Konami for the PlayStation 2. Directed, produced, designed, and written by Hideo Kojima, it is the fourth mainline game in the Metal Gear series, the eighth chronologically, and the sequel to Metal Gear Solid (1998).… (Wikipedia)
Plot
Setting Sons of Liberty takes place within an alternate history of events, in which the Cold War ended during the late 1990s. The game's story focuses on two narratives that occur around and near New York City the first in 2007, two years after the events of Metal Gear Solid ; and the second in 2009. The game's plot is the fourth chapter of an overarching plot concerning the character of Solid Snake. (Wikipedia)
Characters
Main article: List of characters in the Metal Gear series The main protagonist of Metal Gear Solid 2 is a young rookie agent named Raiden . He is supported by his commanding officer, the Colonel , and Rosemary , his girlfriend. Allies formed on the mission include Lt. (Wikipedia)
Reception
Reception Critical reception Metal Gear Solid 2 received "universal acclaim" according to review aggregator website Metacritic , where it is one of the highest-rated games on the website, and remains the highest-rated exclusive on the PlayStation 2. Game Informer gave the game a score of 10/10, while GameSpot gave the game a 9. 6 rating, stating, "It boils down to this: You must play Metal Gear Solid 2 . (Wikipedia)
- 2004
Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater
Metacritic 91Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater is a 2004 action-adventure stealth game developed and published by Konami for the PlayStation 2. It was released in late 2004 in North America and Japan, and in early 2005 in Europe and Australia. Written, produced and directed by Hideo Kojima, the game is the fifth mainline installment… (Wikipedia)
Plot
Setting Snake Eater takes place in an alternate history of events, set within the Cold War during the 1960s. The game's story acts as a prequel to the entire Metal Gear series, exploring the origins of several events covered by previous games, as well as being the first chronological chapter in an overarching story following Big Boss. Characters Main article: List of characters in the Metal Gear series The protagonist of Snake Eater , Naked Snake ( David… (Wikipedia)
Characters
Main article: List of characters in the Metal Gear series The protagonist of Snake Eater , Naked Snake ( David Hayter / Akio Ōtsuka ), known as Big Boss in subsequent games, is a young former Green Beret assigned to the CIA unit FOX . During his mission, Snake is assisted by fellow FOX members over his radio: Major Zero ( Jim Piddock / Banjō Ginga ), commander of FOX and a former member of the British Special Air Service (SAS), who provides Snake with… (Wikipedia)
Reception
Snake Eater was a commercial success, selling 2. 38 million units in Asia and America by December 2004, and 3. 6 million copies worldwide by August 2005. (Wikipedia)
- 2004
Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes
Metacritic 85Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes is a 2004 action-adventure stealth game developed by Konami and Silicon Knights and published by Konami for the GameCube. It is a remake of 1998's Metal Gear Solid. (Wikipedia)
Reception
Reception Much like the original Metal Gear Solid was met with positive reviews from critics, The Twin Snakes received an 85. 58% and 85/100 from GameRankings and Metacritic , respectively. IGN gave The Twin Snakes 8. (Wikipedia)
- 2008
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Metacritic 94Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is a 2008 action-adventure stealth game developed by Kojima Productions and published by Konami for the PlayStation 3. It is the sixth Metal Gear game directed by Hideo Kojima. Set five years after the events of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, the story centers around a… (Wikipedia)
Plot
Setting See also: Metal Gear § Storyline Guns of the Patriots is set within an alternate history timeline in which the Cold War continued into the 1990s, ending before the turn of the century. The events themselves take place in 2014, and form the final chapter in the storyline covering the character of Solid Snake, providing conclusions to the events that led up to Guns of the Patriots . The world's economy relies on continuous civil wars fought by… (Wikipedia)
Reception
Critical reception Reception Metal Gear Solid 4 received universal acclaim, according to review aggregator website Metacritic . The first review was a 10/10 from PlayStation Official Magazine – UK , commenting " MGS4 shifts gears constantly, innovating again and again". The game has been awarded 10/10 from Game Informer , as well as a perfect score in all categories (graphics, control, sound, and fun factor) from GamePro , Famitsu (40/40), and Empire . (Wikipedia)
- 2010
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Metacritic 89Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is a 2010 stealth game developed by Kojima Productions and published by Konami. It is the seventh Metal Gear game written, directed, and designed by Hideo Kojima, and the fifth installment of the Metal Gear Solid series, as well as the fourth Metal Gear game made specifically for the… (Wikipedia)
Plot
Peace Walker begins on November 4, 1974. Big Boss is running his own mercenary unit in Colombia after leaving the United States, following the death of The Boss during Operation Snake Eater ten years prior. A mysterious paramilitary group equipped with a startling quantity of quality weapons, called the "Peace Sentinels", has been deployed in Costa Rica . (Wikipedia)
Characters
The game's returning protagonist is Big Boss , otherwise known as Snake ( David Hayter / Akio Ōtsuka ), who is leading a new mercenary group called Militaires Sans Frontières (commonly abbreviated as MSF). He is assisted in this endeavor by MSF deputy chief Kazuhira Miller ( Robin Atkin Downes / Tomokazu Sugita ). They are eventually joined later in the game by Sandinista rebel leader Amanda Valenciano Libre ( Grey DeLisle / Romi Park ) and her younger… (Wikipedia)
Reception
Critical reception Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker On Metacritic , the game holds a score of 89, indicating "generally favorable reviews". It was given a perfect score of 40/40 in the May 5, 2010 issue of Japanese magazine Weekly Famitsu ; making it the fourteenth game to achieve a perfect score, as well as the first title for the PSP. PSM3 awarded the game 91%, commenting on the game's ability to "take the best bits from every Metal Gear Solid game – the… (Wikipedia)
- 2013
Developed by Kojima Productions and PlatinumGames, METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE takes the renowned METAL GEAR franchise into exciting new territory with an all-new action experience. The game seamlessly melds pure action and epic story-telling that surrounds Raiden – a child soldier transformed into a half-human, half-cyborg ninja who... (Steam)
Plot
Setting and characters The events of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance are set in the year 2018, four years after the events of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots . The Patriots, a powerful deep state running the world's war economy , have been destroyed, and PMCs have splintered into numerous factions. The player controls Raiden ( Quinton Flynn ), a former Liberian child soldier turned into a cyborg that now works for the PMC Maverick Security… (Wikipedia)
Reception
Reception Producer Atsushi Inaba took to his Twitter feed to address fans' concerns over the project. He acknowledged the mixed reaction to the unveiling of Rising , but hoped players would spot "a glimpse of the future" in the trailer. Inaba promised its "love and respect will shine through. (Wikipedia)
- 2015
Ushering in a new era for the METAL GEAR franchise with cutting-edge technology powered by the Fox Engine, METAL GEAR SOLID V: The Phantom Pain, will provide players a first-rate gaming experience as they are offered tactical freedom to carry out open-world missions. (Steam)
Plot
Setting In the aftermath of the events of Ground Zeroes and the destruction of Militaires Sans Frontières (MSF), Big Boss ( Kiefer Sutherland / Akio Ōtsuka ) falls into a coma. Nine years later, he awakens and helps lead a new mercenary group, Diamond Dogs . Adopting the codename " Venom Snake ", he ventures into Afghanistan during the Soviet–Afghan War and the Angola Zaire border region during the Angolan Civil War to track down the people responsible… (Wikipedia)
Characters
See also: List of characters in the Metal Gear series In contrast to previous Metal Gear installments, Kojima Productions conducted the voice acting and motion capture with English-speaking actors and stuntmen first. While facial motion capture was used before for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots , it was done separately from the actual voice acting. The Japanese voice acting was dubbed over the English cast's performance afterward, in contrast… (Wikipedia)
Reception
Critical reception Reception Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain received "universal acclaim" from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic . Reviewers considered it to be one of the best Metal Gear games. It has also been cited as one of the greatest stealth games, and one of the greatest video games of all time . (Wikipedia)
- —
METAL GEAR SOLID V: GROUND ZEROES
not scoredNo sourced description on file.
Metal Gear, head to head
Two entries side by side on score, price, specs and reception:
Metal Gear vs other series
How Metal Gear stacks up against other series in the same genre, as a whole:
Also: Metal Gear vs Just Cause, Metal Gear vs Saints Row, Metal Gear vs Serious Sam, Metal Gear vs Borderlands, Metal Gear vs Car Mechanic Simulator, Metal Gear vs Crysis, Metal Gear vs Dead Island, Metal Gear vs Dishonored, Metal Gear vs Mafia, Metal Gear vs Max Payne, Metal Gear vs Red Faction, Metal Gear vs Sniper Elite, Metal Gear vs Sniper Ghost Warrior, Metal Gear vs Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon, Metal Gear vs America's Army, Metal Gear vs Bright Memory, Metal Gear vs Burnout Paradise, Metal Gear vs Homefront, Metal Gear vs Jurassic World Evolution, Metal Gear vs POSTAL, Metal Gear vs RAGE, Metal Gear vs Red Dead Redemption, Metal Gear vs Sea of Thieves, Metal Gear vs Shadow Warrior, Metal Gear vs Slime Rancher, Metal Gear vs Sniper, Metal Gear vs Squad, Metal Gear vs Subnautica, Metal Gear vs Thief, Metal Gear vs Transport Fever, Metal Gear vs Universe Sandbox, Metal Gear vs Z1 Battle Royale, Metal Gear vs Zombie Army
Common questions
How many Metal Gear games are there?
We hold 10 Metal Gear games in the catalogue, released between 1987 and 2015. 2 of them carry enough Steam data to rank; the rest are listed in release order below, including console-only entries with no Steam listing.
Which Metal Gear game is best?
By the GamingPickz Score, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain rates highest at 8.2. That is a composite of player sentiment, the critic aggregate and popularity, computed the same way for every game, not our opinion. The full ranking is above.
What order should I play the Metal Gear games in?
Release order is listed below, from 1987 to 2015. For most series that is also story order, but we list dates rather than telling you a canon; the timeline is read from Wikidata.
More franchises
Browse every game franchise ranked the same way, or head to the full grid.