A Legendary Career in Stealth: Every Metal Gear Game With Solid Snake

Few characters in gaming history command as much respect and fascination as Solid Snake. The grizzled, chain-smoking special operations soldier is the face of Hideo Kojima’s seminal Metal Gear franchise. While the series’ complicated lore has since branched out to explore the story of his “father,” Big Boss, and other characters, Solid Snake’s saga remains the heart of the series. From his origins as a rookie operative to his final, heroic mission, his journey is a masterclass in stealth action and an emotional narrative about war, family, and legacy. This list details every main game in which Solid Snake is the primary protagonist, chronicling his rise and his eventual, tragic end.

It’s important to differentiate between Solid Snake, the clone of Big Boss, and the other “Snakes” who have appeared in the series, such as Naked Snake (who becomes Big Boss) and Venom Snake. Solid Snake’s story is a self-contained saga that spans several key titles. Fans looking to experience the original story of the legendary soldier should focus on these essential games. This has led to a major increase in CPC keywords like “buy Metal Gear Solid Master Collection” and “Metal Gear Solid 4 remastered.”

Solid Snake’s Canonical Appearances by Release Order

This is the best way to experience the story for the first time, as it mirrors the way players were introduced to the lore and its many twists and turns.

• Metal Gear (1987)

  Solid Snake’s very first mission. This is the game that started it all. As a rookie member of the FOXHOUND special forces unit, Solid Snake is sent into the rogue nation of Outer Heaven to rescue his fellow operative, Gray Fox, and investigate a new weapon of mass destruction. While the original MSX2 game is very different from the later 3D titles, it establishes the core stealth-action gameplay and introduces many of the franchise’s most iconic characters.

• Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (1990)

  A direct sequel to the original, this game takes place in Zanzibar Land, a new fortified nation. Solid Snake is called out of retirement to rescue a kidnapped scientist who holds the key to a new energy source. This title introduced many features that would become staples of the series, including a radar system and the ability to crouch and crawl. It’s a key chapter that bridges the gap between the 8-bit era and the modern classics.

• Metal Gear Solid (1998)

  This is the game that solidified the franchise’s global reputation. Released on the PlayStation, it reintroduces Solid Snake, now retired, to the world. He is forced back into action to infiltrate a nuclear weapons disposal facility on Shadow Moses Island, which has been seized by the rogue FOXHOUND unit. The game’s cinematic cutscenes, deep narrative, and revolutionary stealth gameplay set a new standard for the industry. The remake, Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes (2004) on the Nintendo GameCube, is a more action-oriented but equally important retelling.

• Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (2001)

  This title is famous for its controversial narrative choice of having players control a new protagonist, Raiden, for the majority of the game. However, Solid Snake is a central figure in the story, appearing as a mysterious ally under the alias “Iroquois Pliskin.” The game begins with a playable prologue where Solid Snake infiltrates a tanker to find the new Metal Gear Ray. It’s a mind-bending, philosophical journey that explores themes of information control and identity.

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

  This game serves as the grand finale to Solid Snake’s story. Taking place in the year 2014, Solid Snake has been prematurely aged due to a genetic defect. Now known as “Old Snake,” he is sent on one final mission to assassinate Liquid Ocelot and dismantle the global network of control. The game is a love letter to the entire series, tying up loose ends and providing a moving and definitive conclusion to the saga of the world’s greatest soldier. It is widely considered an emotional masterpiece and a must-play for any fan of the franchise.

Solid Snake’s Story in a Nutshell (Chronological Order)

For those who want to follow Solid Snake’s personal timeline from start to finish, the order is a bit different from the release schedule.

• Metal Gear (Set in 1995)
• Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake (Set in 1999)
• Metal Gear Solid (Set in 2005)
• Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty (The main story is set in 2009)
• Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (Set in 2014)

This timeline excludes games where Solid Snake is not the main playable character, such as Metal Gear Solid: Ghost Babel, Metal Gear Acid, or his cameo appearances in other games like Super Smash Bros.. These titles offer different takes on the character and the universe but are not part of his main, canonical journey.

As Konami continues to bring the legacy of Metal Gear Solid to modern platforms with the Master Collection and the highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater remake, the legend of Solid Snake is far from over. His legacy of stealth, heroism, and the fight against a world controlled by a corrupt system continues to resonate with gamers everywhere, solidifying his place as one of the most iconic and beloved protagonists in the history of the medium. The recent availability of these classic titles has fueled a new generation of players, all eager to experience the story of the man, the myth, the legend: Solid Snake.