Okay, should I play the gamecube one too? Twin Snakes or whatever?

And if I need to play Twin Snakes where does that fit in the order?

I suggest playing the game in the order they were made rather than the chronologically most of the series was made up by Kojima along the way so you will get a better understanding if you play by the order they were released, so start with MGS (PS1), MGS2, MGS3, MGS:PO(psp), MGS4, theres also Metal Gear and Metal Gear  that were on the MSX2, they are canon and can be played on disc 2 of MGS3 subsistance, however, a basic outline of the storyline is explained in MGS1 (make sure you watch the extra scenes before you begin playing MGS) so MG and MG2 are not as important (MG and MG2 have been heavily retconned anyway)

Well I wont be able to play the PSP MGS games cause I don't have a PSP. Is it a  must to play those ones also?

Portable ops was basically summed up in MGS4, so it isn't necessary I guess

Peace Walker coming in May will fit into an important part of the MGS timeline that hasn't been really explained yet so this one will be important

you can always go to the MGS wiki, it more reliable than the MGS database on PSN, I still use the wiki to understand and remember elements of the storyline and I have played the games numerous times, there is a lot of content and themes packed into MGS it is impossible really to understand it to the fullest degree

The Twin Snakes is a re-make of Metal Gear Solid 1. It features graphics updated for the Gamecube instead of Playstation 1 graphics. It also features some of the game-play elements established in Metal Gear Solid 2 (since the Gamecube remake was made after the Metal Gear Solid 2 came out). That is why the Gamecube version is the superior version. The cinematics were redone in "The Twin Snakes" and some feel that they are not as engaging as the original.

Also, since MGS1, every Metal Gear has been re-made with special editions. If you are serious and not just yanking us around, the best version of each game is:

MGS: The Twin Snakes (Gamecube)
Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance (Playstation 2)
Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistance (Playsation 2)
Metal Gear Solid 4 (only version for Playstation 3)

Buy them and play them in that order. Or buy the collection and get the original 3 games at once. They won't be the best versions, but they'll be all that you need.

I recommend MGS (PS1) version over Twin Snakes, not only is the original better in everyway except graphics but you'll have a hard time finding a copy of the Twin Snakes (unless you go ebay which will cost a least $40) MGS on PSN is $10 or you can buy the essentials collection for $30

Thanks, I'll look into those.

I would strongly encourage you to play MGS4 even if you haven't played the earlier games. I'd never played any of them before MGS4 and I loved it. The story is told well enough that you never feel too confused.

If you do want to play the earlier games anyway Lewis has the right order to play them in, and AnarchyWest is right that Twin Snakes is expensive and rare. But if you can get hold of a copy I think it's a better bet than MGS1. MGS purists object to the Twin Snakes but it is much better looking, which will matter more for someone new to the series (I for one can't cope with PS1 graphics).

He didn't ask for timeline order, I was making a funny

Though if you really wanna get technical it's

MGS3, MGS: PO, MGS: PW (not released yet), MGS, MGS2, MGS4 and yeah the MGS Database is worth perusing if you are interested.

And I agree with everyone else play in the order it was released because if you play chronologically (timeline wise) some of the moments in MGS3 will have less impact.

I considerd adding Portable Ops and an lol but that would be trivial :P