The best Metal Gear games, ranked

Celebrating over 30 years of tactical espionage and cardboard boxes

Sneak a look at the Snake's greatest adventures as we count down the best Metal Gear games...

7. METAL GEAR RISING: REVENGEANCE

Who needs stealth when you have a sword capable of severing limbs? Platinum's spin-off somehow manages to make the reviled Raiden likeable. 

Year: 2013
Platforms: PC/PS3/Xbox 360

6. METAL GEAR SOLID 4: GUNS OF THE PATRIOTS

MGS4 is a glorious disaster; a patchwork of disparate levels and indulgent cutscenes. Still, it plays brilliantly, and the ending is hugely moving.

Year: 2008
Platforms: PS3

5. METAL GEAR SOLID: PEACE WALKER

Years before MGS5, the ambitious Peace Walker let you build up your very own Mother Base. It's incredible Kojima managed to squeeze this onto PSP. 

Year: 2010
Platforms: PSP, PS3, PS Vita, Xbox 360

4. METAL GEAR SOLID 5: THE PHANTOM PAIN

It may not have as many classic fourth-wall breaking moments as MGS fans would like, but The Phantom Pain is one of the best open-world games ever. 

Year: 2015
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360

3. METAL GEAR SOLID 2: SONS OF LIBERTY

A dazzling, if divisive blockbuster that shunted Snake out of the limelight in favor of MGS whipping boy Raiden. Still, this is one hell of a stealth game. 

Year: 2001
Platforms: PS2, Xbox, PC, PS3, Vita, Xbox 360

2. METAL GEAR SOLID

Probably the original PlayStation's finest moment, this classic sneaker plays out like a Die Hard-aping 10 hour action film. A seminal stealth classic. 

Year: 1998
Platforms: PS3

1. METAL GEAR SOLID 3

Naked Snake's Cold War sneak 'em-up remains the best game in the series. Bold, somber, and hugely playful, MGS3 is a landmark masterpiece. 

Year: 2004
Platforms: PS2, 3DS, PS3, PS Vita, Xbox 360

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