A year after celebrating its 20th anniversary, Capcom's iconic monster-hunting franchise is set to thrill fans once again with the release of Monster Hunter Wilds in 2025. This series has evolved across multiple generations of gaming consoles, achieving monumental success with Monster Hunter World in 2018 and Monster Hunter Rise in 2021, which are not only the best-selling games in the franchise but also Capcom's top-selling titles of all time.
Monster Hunter Wilds is scheduled to launch on February 28, prompting us to reflect on the rich history of the franchise. We've curated a chronological list of the 12 most significant Monster Hunter games, focusing on the core entries that have shaped the series.
How Many Monster Hunter Games Are There?
The Monster Hunter franchise boasts over 25 games, including base games, spinoffs, mobile titles, and enhanced versions. For our list, we've highlighted the 12 most relevant Monster Hunter games, excluding mobile-only and arcade-exclusive releases like Monster Hunter i and Monster Hunter Spirits, discontinued MMOs such as Monster Hunter Frontier and Monster Hunter Online, and the Japan-exclusive Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village developed by FromSoftware, which resembles Animal Crossing.
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Which Monster Hunter Game Should You Play First?
The Monster Hunter series does not follow a continuous narrative, giving you the flexibility to start with any game. If you're considering diving into the series in 2025, you might want to wait for initial reactions to Monster Hunter Wilds, releasing on February 28. For those eager to experience the series before Wilds, we recommend Monster Hunter World for its focus on exploration and immersion, or Monster Hunter Rise if you prefer a game that emphasizes speed and fluidity.
Out February 28
Monster Hunter Wilds - Standard Edition
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Every Monster Hunter Game in Release Order
Monster Hunter (2004)
Monster Hunter, developed alongside Auto Modellista and Resident Evil: Outbreak, was part of Capcom's initiative to explore the PS2's online capabilities, as Ryozo Tsujimoto explained to Eurogamer in 2014. This inaugural game established the series' core mechanics, where players undertake quests to hunt monsters, using harvested materials to craft and upgrade weapons and armor for battling even stronger foes. An expanded version, Monster Hunter G, was released exclusively in Japan the following year.
Monster HunterCapcom Production Studio 1
Monster Hunter Freedom (2005)
In 2005, Monster Hunter found a new home on portable consoles with Monster Hunter Freedom, an enhanced port of Monster Hunter G tailored for single-player on the PSP. This entry kickstarted a trend where portable versions outsold their home console counterparts, a pattern that persisted until the success of Monster Hunter World in 2018.
Monster Hunter FreedomCapcom Production Studio 1
Monster Hunter 2 (2006)
Capcom returned to the home console for Monster Hunter 2 (also known as Monster Hunter Dos), released exclusively in Japan for the PS2. This sequel introduced a day-night cycle and gems, enriching the customization of weapons and armor.
Monster Hunter 2Capcom Production Studio 1
Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (2007)
Monster Hunter Freedom 2, the second handheld game in the series, built upon Monster Hunter 2 by adding new content and focusing on single-player experiences. It was further expanded with Monster Hunter Freedom Unite in 2008, which introduced new monsters, missions, maps, and the ability to have a Felyne fighter accompany the player in battle.
Monster Hunter Freedom 2Capcom Production Studio 1
Monster Hunter 3 (2009)
Monster Hunter 3 (also known as Monster Hunter Tri) debuted in Japan in 2009, with a global release following in 2010. Originally planned for the PS3, it was released exclusively on the Wii, introducing underwater combat among new monsters, weapons, and locations. Later, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate was released for the Wii U and 3DS, featuring new monsters, an updated single-player experience, and a new multiplayer area.
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Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (2010)
Following the trend, Monster Hunter 3 was adapted for the PSP as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, and later for the PS3 as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD Ver. Despite not being released in the West, it became the best-selling handheld-exclusive Monster Hunter game, with 4.9 million copies sold.
Monster Hunter Portable 3rdCapcom Production Studio 1
