Ranking the Metal Gear Series – From Worst to Best

The Metal Gear series is one of the most influential and unique sagas in video game history. Created by Hideo Kojima, it not only revolutionized the stealth genre but also proved that games could be a sophisticated medium for telling complex, mature stories. Over the years, the series has undergone numerous experiments—not all of them successful. So, it’s time for a full ranking of every mainline and spin-off title in the franchise—from worst to best.






15. Metal Gear Survive (2018)

A Commercial Nightmare

Metal Gear Survive is the only game in the series made entirely without Hideo Kojima’s involvement—and his absence is painfully felt. This awkward spin-off, filled with generic zombies, aggressive microtransactions, and a complete lack of identity, was seen by fans as a betrayal of the series’ spirit. There’s virtually nothing here that evokes Kojima’s philosophical musings, political intrigue, or signature humor. Players worldwide treated Survive as a purely commercial experiment that not only adds nothing to the franchise but actively degrades it. This is a game that should be forgotten, and its existence serves as proof of how crucial Kojima’s creative vision was to the series.






14. Metal Gear (MSX, 1987)

The Beginning of a Legend

The first Metal Gear, released on the MSX in 1987, laid the foundation for the entire saga and introduced the stealth DNA that would become the series’ trademark. Though revolutionary for its time, pioneering a completely new approach to stealth gameplay, today it remains mostly a historical curiosity. Its primitive graphics, clunky mechanics, and the MSX’s hardware limitations make it a tough sell for modern players. Still, without this title, there would be no later masterpieces—Metal Gear is a milestone that started one of gaming’s most important franchises.







13. Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (MSX, 1990)

Kojima’s First "True" Story

Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake is a far more advanced sequel that laid the groundwork for the narrative style of future entries. Here, we see the first clear traces of Kojima’s philosophical themes and deeper storytelling. While it offers better mechanics and a more complex plot, it’s still a product of its time—hard to digest for players without nostalgia or patience for retro design. Nevertheless, it’s a crucial step in the series’ evolution, hinting at its future greatness.






12. Metal Gear Ac!d 2 (2005)

A Card-Based Sequel with Humor

Metal Gear Ac!d 2 is an experimental turn-based card game that surprises with its colorful art style and absurd humor. Though it improves on the first Ac!d in terms of balance and depth, it remains a niche experience disconnected from the main series. For some fans, it’s a refreshing change of pace, but for most, it’s just an unnecessary oddity. Kojima’s lack of involvement is palpable—this is a game for a very specific audience.






11. Metal Gear Portable Ops+ (2007)

Multiplayer-Only and Wasted Potential

Portable Ops+ is an expansion to Portable Ops that ditched the story entirely in favor of multiplayer. Unfortunately, the lack of a single-player campaign, weak server support, and a limited player base caused it to fade into obscurity quickly. This one’s strictly for collectors—without a solid single-player foundation, the project feels like a missed opportunity.






10. Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (2015)

A Masterpiece of Gameplay, an Unfinished Story

The Phantom Pain delivers the best gameplay in the series and one of the most refined action systems in gaming. Its open world, unprecedented freedom, and deep base-building mechanics place it among the industry’s greatest achievements. Unfortunately, the story ends abruptly, and the cut finale leaves players unsatisfied. It’s a technical marvel that lacks the emotional depth of earlier entries.






9. Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes (2014)

A Prologue Priced Like a Full Game

Ground Zeroes is a short but intense prelude to The Phantom Pain. Its dark tone, excellent mechanics, and gripping narrative make it an essential part of the series. However, its high price for relatively little content sparked controversy. This could have been a great DLC—not a standalone release.





8. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance (2013)

A Crazy, Stylish Spin-Off

Revengeance is a fast, brutal slasher starring Raiden, ditching traditional stealth for over-the-top action. While not everyone loved this direction, it’s undeniably charismatic. With an amazing soundtrack, absurd humor, and epic boss fights, it’s one of the most entertaining spin-offs.






7. Metal Gear Ac!d (2004)

A Risky but Intriguing Experiment

The first Ac!d is a turn-based card strategy game that completely broke from series conventions. Though frustrating at times, it surprises with its depth and atmosphere. This is a game for fans of unconventional ideas—not for everyone, but it’s gained a cult following.






6. Metal Gear Portable Ops (2006)

An Underrated Big Boss Tale with the Seeds of Future Mechanics

Portable Ops is a milestone often overlooked in series discussions, yet it deserves far more attention. As the first full-fledged portable entry, it achieved the impossible—bringing Metal Gear’s essence to the PSP. It introduced key elements to Big Boss’s mythology, showing his transformation from soldier to leader. The soldier recruitment system (capturing enemies in the field) was a prototype for Peace Walker and MGSV. Despite hardware limitations, it offered a surprisingly deep story with memorable characters like Gene and Null. The clunky controls and handheld compromises held it back, but it’s a title that deserves reevaluation—it bridged classic MGS with the series’ modern approach.





5. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)

A Visionary Anticipation of Disinformation and Identity Crisis

MGS2 is arguably the most prophetic game in history, ahead of its time by two decades. The initial outrage over replacing Snake with Raiden turned out to be a brilliant narrative move—Kojima made us share the protagonist’s disorientation. Themes of information manipulation, artificially constructed reality, and identity crises in a digital world feel terrifyingly relevant today. Arsenal Gear, the S3 Plan, and the AI GW eerily predicted fake news and algorithmic control. The game experiments with form, breaking the fourth wall like never before (remember "Turn off the console!"), while the Big Shell mission remains one of the series’ best levels. This is a work that ages like fine wine, demanding intellectual engagement.






4. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (2010)

The Most Comprehensive Portable Action Game Ever Made

Peace Walker is a technical and design miracle—how did they fit such an enormous game on a tiny UMD? This portable entry not only matches the quality of console titles but surpasses them in many ways. The Mother Base management system became the foundation for MGSV, and the "Extra Ops" missions provided dozens of hours of extra gameplay. The story, depicting the birth of Outer Heaven, shows Big Boss at his most human, especially in his relationships with Paz and Chico. The Metal Gear Zeke battles and co-op mode were groundbreaking for a handheld. This game proved that mobile titles could offer full, rich experiences—no other PSP game came close to its ambition.






3. Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004)

The Perfect Blend of Gameplay and a Moving Story

Snake Eater is Kojima’s narrative masterpiece—a tale of loyalty, betrayal, and the cost of sacrifice that hits harder than most war dramas. The survival mechanics (hunting animals, treating wounds) created unparalleled immersion. The Cobra Unit boss fights (especially the emotional duel with The End) remain the gold standard for enemy design. The opening sequence, with Snake skydiving to "Snake Eater," is one of gaming’s most iconic moments. And the final salute at The Boss’s grave, with "Way to Fall" playing… that stays with you forever. In terms of blending gameplay and emotion, MGS3 is unmatched.






2. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (2008)

An Epic, Tearful Farewell to Solid Snake’s Saga

MGS4 set an impossibly high bar—it had to tie up a 20-year-long story. And it succeeded, satisfying even the most demanding fans. The return to Shadow Moses is a masterclass in nostalgia, and the final battle with Liquid Ocelot aboard Outer Haven is perhaps gaming’s most epic climax. The OctoCamo and Psyche Meter added new tactical layers, while scenes like Naomi’s death and Snake’s farewell to Otacon brought tears. Yes, the cutscenes are long (Act 3 is practically a movie), but each one matters. This is a game that knows it’s a goodbye—to Solid Snake and to an era of gaming—and it delivers with the dignity this legend deserves.






1. Metal Gear Solid (1998)

A Masterpiece That Defined Modern Action Games

The original MGS on PlayStation isn’t just a game—it’s a cultural phenomenon that forever changed the industry. From the moment Snake infiltrates Shadow Moses, it pulls you into its atmosphere like few games can. The boss designs (Psycho Mantis reading your memory card, Vulcan Raven in the freezer) remain unmatched. Two hours of music, including the legendary Irish-language "The Best Is Yet To Come," create an unforgettable soundtrack. Its groundbreaking use of engine-driven storytelling (the torture scene, Codec calls) proved games could tell mature narratives. Even today, nearly 30 years later, it retains its power—evidenced by endless speedruns and mods. For many players (including this writer), it was their first PlayStation game, replayed thousands of times. In the Master Collection, it still dazzles just as it did in 1998. This isn’t just the best Metal Gear—it’s one of the most important games in history.