I would recommend at least getting MGS 1 off the Playstation store and beating that. But if you want the Full (3d) metal gear effect play them in this order - 3 , 1, 2 , 4

Since you have a Wii, go back and get MGS: The Twin Snakes. It's a remake of the 1998 game. It's a little cheesier than the original (the cutscenes and acting were re-done and a little over-done) but it still packs a great story and great visuals. If you enjoy it, go back and get the other three.

Play them in order. Do it for me!

I will say what everyone else said. You have to play all the other 3 games. Though if you play the 3rd one you have already played the best experience you will find the in the MGS series.

The 4th one has some really amazing gameplay and all, but the story and just about everything outside the gameplay was convoluted, unimaginative, or simple. It's also a little short of 10 hours of cut scenes. They all make sense and look fine and there is a story there. It's just that I felt like I was watching one of those bad CGI movies. Spirits Within or Appleseed, though Appleseed was pretty cool. I would not put MGS4 as an example of video games as art since it tries to be a movie, and does not play to the medium's strengths. The 3rd MGS was the best!

As said above, check out some wikis just to get the gist of what's going on. The game is VERY story heavy so to understand it you'll need some reference. Plus mid-game, the story is summed up nicely in one of the cinematics anyway.

However, even with no knowledge whatsoever you can still fully enjoy the gameplay and everything that this game alone provides. Like 'CGI-Quality' said, it's simply one of the best and most artistic experiences in interactive entertainment to date.

What order is the MGS series?Is it MGS1 thats on the psn,MGS2 sons of liberty,MGS3 snake eater,and MGS4 guns of patriots?If is then what the hell is MGS2 twin snakes,Mgs subsitence

Order is MGS1, MGS2, MGS3, MGS4 (duh!)

But in all seriousness. The twin snakes was a....N64? game cube? version of MGS with some bonus content and redone artwork. The MGS2: Substance and MGS3: subsistence (or whatever they are called) are just re-releases with some additional content (not in game but training missions or more movies, stuff like that)

You would probably enjoy it more having played the others, but it is still possible to enjoy 4 without having done so, at least that was the case with me...

You are misinformed. Metal Gear Solid timeline is in this order: MGS3, MGS, MGS2, MGS4. If you like, you can download Metal Gear Solid Database from PSN which chronicles all events in a fashionable way. It's FREE. I would highly recommend that you play these games however.

So I should play it in the order
MGS3, MGS, MGS2, MGS4?

Don't be silly.

MGS1 (story and characters)

MGS2 (surprise twist)

MGS3 (flashback to how it all began)

MGS4 (stunning conclusion)