Yes that's right I've never actually played the Metal Gear Solid series before, but I'm considering on getting MGS4 but I'm not sure if I should play the first three.

So do you think I should play the first three Metal Gear Solid games, and well I be really confused if I just started playing MGS4 or does it even matter with the storyline or anything else?

Id recommend playing the first 3 games if you want to understand the story.

If you want to play a great game and/or sit through some very short cutscenes, just go straight to 4.

And by short i mean LONG

Playing the first three games would improve the MGS4 experience dramatically, but it is by no means a necessity. My boss never played MGS 1-3, and he loved MGS4.

i think no ... because u will ruin the story .. thats happend with me before.

I don't have a choice - I have a 40 GB PS3.

Another way to understand the story is to read wikipedia. That what i recommend to people who havent played mgs. I myself never played the msx ones and went their for reference.

And yes, i would recommend because even without the amazing story mgs4 has the best gameplay ever.

I know people who didn't like MGS4, they just didn't like the stealth concept. I recommend you to rent it first. If you want to understand the story play the other ones or search in youtube.

Oh yea, another way to learn about the other mgs games is to look at the metal gear retrospective by gametrailers

downlaod the MGS database off the PSN, It says add-on but it isnt. Its also free.

To add on to what ssj12 said, the MGS database will hide all information about MGS4 until you have beaten the game.  When you have a complete MGS4 savegame, it unlocks any information regarding MGS4.