"Master the Sequence: Playing Monster Hunter Games in Order"

A year after celebrating its 20th anniversary, Capcom's iconic monster-hunting franchise is set to make a grand return in 2025 with Monster Hunter Wilds. This series, which has spanned multiple generations of home and portable consoles, reached new heights with Monster Hunter World in 2018 and Monster Hunter Rise in 2021—these titles not only became the best-selling games in the series but also Capcom's top-selling games of all time.

With Monster Hunter Wilds scheduled for release on February 28, we take a nostalgic journey through the franchise's history by presenting a chronological list of the series' most significant games.

How Many Monster Hunter Games Are There?

There are over 25 Monster Hunter games, including base games, spinoffs, mobile entries, and enhanced versions. However, for the purpose of this list, we've selected the 12 most influential Monster Hunter games. This compilation excludes mobile and arcade-exclusive titles (such as Monster Hunter i and Monster Hunter Spirits), discontinued MMOs (like Monster Hunter Frontier and Monster Hunter Online), and the Japan-exclusive, FromSoftware-developed game, Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village, which resembles Animal Crossing.

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Which Monster Hunter Game Should You Play First?

There is no overarching story that spans the entire Monster Hunter franchise, so you're free to choose which game to start with. If you're diving into the world of Monster Hunter in 2025, consider waiting for initial reactions to Monster Hunter Wilds, set to launch on February 28. If you're eager to experience the series before committing to Wilds, we recommend starting with Monster Hunter World for its emphasis on exploration and immersion, or Monster Hunter Rise if you prefer speed and fluid gameplay.

Out February 28

Monster Hunter Wilds - Standard Edition

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Every Monster Hunter Game in Release Order

Monster Hunter (2004)

Monster Hunter, along with Auto Modellista and Resident Evil: Outbreak, was developed to explore the PS2's online capabilities, as Capcom's Ryozo Tsujimoto explained to Eurogamer in 2014.

The inaugural Monster Hunter game established the series' core mechanics, where players, solo or online, undertake quests to hunt monsters, using the materials gathered from the environment and defeated beasts to craft and upgrade weapons and armor, preparing to challenge even more formidable creatures.

An expanded version, Monster Hunter G, was released the following year, exclusively in Japan.

Monster Hunter
Capcom Production Studio 1
Mar 11, 2004

Monster Hunter Freedom (2005)

Monster Hunter Freedom, released in 2005, marked the series' transition to portable consoles with an enhanced port of Monster Hunter G optimized for single-player on the PSP. This entry sold over a million copies, initiating a trend where portable versions of Monster Hunter outsold home console counterparts until the breakthrough of Monster Hunter World in 2018.

Monster Hunter Freedom
Capcom Production Studio 1
Dec 1, 2005

Monster Hunter 2 (2006)

Capcom returned to home consoles with 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, enhancing the customization of weapons and armor.

Monster Hunter 2
Capcom Production Studio 1
Feb 16, 2006

Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (2007)

Monster Hunter Freedom 2, the second handheld entry, built upon Monster Hunter 2 with new content and a focus on single-player. It was further expanded in 2008 with Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, which introduced new monsters, missions, maps, and the ability to fight alongside a Felyne companion.

Monster Hunter Freedom 2
Capcom Production Studio 1
Feb 22, 2007

Monster Hunter 3 (2009)

Monster Hunter 3 (also known as Monster Hunter Tri) launched in Japan in 2009 and internationally in 2010. Initially developed for the PS3, it became a Wii exclusive. It introduced underwater combat, along with new monsters, weapons, and locations.

Later, it was released for Wii U and 3DS as Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, featuring new monsters, an updated single-player experience, improved graphics, and a new multiplayer area.

Monster Hunter Tri
Capcom Production Studio 1
Aug 1, 2009

Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (2010)

Following the trend, Monster Hunter 3 was adapted for the PSP as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd. Unlike its predecessors, it also saw a console release on 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 3rd
Capcom Production Studio 1
Dec 1, 2010