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A year after celebrating its 20th anniversary, Capcom's iconic monster-hunting franchise is set to captivate fans once again with the release of Monster Hunter Wilds in 2025. This prolific series has evolved across multiple generations of home and portable consoles, achieving new heights with Monster Hunter World in 2018 and Monster Hunter Rise in 2021, which stand as the best-selling games in the series and Capcom's top-selling titles of all time.
As Monster Hunter Wilds gears up for its February 28 release, we take a nostalgic journey through the franchise's history, presenting a chronological list of the most pivotal games in the series.
How Many Monster Hunter Games Are There?
There are over 25 Monster Hunter games, encompassing base games, spinoffs, mobile entries, and enhanced versions. For this list, we've curated the 12 most significant Monster Hunter games, excluding mobile and arcade exclusives (like Monster Hunter i and Monster Hunter Spirits), discontinued MMOs (Monster Hunter Frontier, Monster Hunter Online), and the Japan-exclusive, FromSoftware-developed, Animal Crossing-inspired game, Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village.
Every IGN Monster Hunter Review
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Which Monster Hunter Game Should You Play First?
The Monster Hunter series does not follow a continuous storyline, allowing you the freedom to start with any game. If you're new to the series in 2025, consider waiting for the community's feedback on Monster Hunter Wilds, set to launch on February 28. For those eager to dive in before Wilds, we recommend starting with either Monster Hunter World or Monster Hunter Rise. World is ideal for those who enjoy exploration and immersion, while Rise caters to players who prefer 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 was part of Capcom's trio of games exploring the PS2's online capabilities, alongside Auto Modellista and Resident Evil: Outbreak. This inaugural title established the series' core mechanics, where players, solo or online, undertake quests to hunt monsters, using harvested materials to craft and upgrade gear for tackling even more formidable foes. An expanded version, Monster Hunter G, was released exclusively in Japan the following year.
Monster Hunter
Capcom Production Studio 1
Monster Hunter Freedom (2005)
The series 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 until Monster Hunter World broke the mold in 2018.
Monster Hunter Freedom
Capcom Production Studio 1
Monster Hunter 2 (2006)
Returning to home consoles, Monster Hunter 2 (also known as Monster Hunter Dos) was released exclusively in Japan for the PS2. It introduced a day-night cycle and gems, enhancing customization options for weapons and armor.
Monster Hunter 2
Capcom Production Studio 1
Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (2007)
The second handheld game, Monster Hunter Freedom 2, built upon its home console counterpart, MH2, with new content and a focus on single-player. It was further expanded in 2008 with Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, which added new monsters, missions, maps, and the ability to have a Felyne fighter join the player in battle.
Monster Hunter Freedom 2
Capcom Production Studio 1
Monster Hunter 3 (2009)
Monster Hunter 3 (also known as Monster Hunter Tri) debuted in Japan in 2009 and internationally in 2010. Initially developed for the PS3, it was released as a Wii exclusive, introducing underwater combat among new monsters, weapons, and locations. It later expanded to the Wii U and 3DS as Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, with new monsters, a revamped single-player experience, updated graphics, and a new multiplayer area.
Monster Hunter Tri
Capcom Production Studio 1
Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (2010)
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 3rd
Capcom Production Studio 1
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