How to Play the Monster Hunter Games in Order

Capcom's Monster Hunter franchise, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, roars back in 2025 with Monster Hunter Wilds. This prolific series, spanning multiple console generations, achieved new heights with Monster Hunter World (2018) and Monster Hunter Rise (2021), Capcom's two best-selling titles ever.

Launching February 28th, Monster Hunter Wilds prompts a retrospective on the franchise's key installments, chronologically listed below. Note: this curated list focuses on the most significant entries, excluding mobile, arcade, and discontinued MMO titles like Monster Hunter Frontier, Monster Hunter Online, and the Japan-exclusive Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village.

The Monster Hunter Game Selection Dilemma:

The Monster Hunter series lacks a continuous narrative, offering flexibility in entry points. Newcomers in 2025 might prefer awaiting Monster Hunter Wilds reviews. However, Monster Hunter World (emphasizing exploration and immersion) or Monster Hunter Rise (prioritizing speed and fluidity) provide excellent starting points.

Every Monster Hunter Game (Selected Highlights):

• Monster Hunter (2004): The foundational title, establishing core gameplay: hunting monsters, crafting equipment, and tackling progressively challenging hunts, either solo or online. A Japanese-only expansion, Monster Hunter G, followed.

• Monster Hunter Freedom (2005): An enhanced Monster Hunter G port for PSP, marking the series' successful transition to handheld consoles. Its million-plus sales initiated a trend of portable versions outselling console counterparts.

• Monster Hunter 2 (2006): A PS2 exclusive (Japan only), introducing day-night cycles and gems for enhanced customization.

• Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (2007) & Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (2008): Building on MH2, Freedom 2 and its expansion, Unite, introduced new monsters, missions, maps, and Felyne companions.

• Monster Hunter 3 (2009) & Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (2013): A Wii exclusive (initially), later ported to Wii U and 3DS as Ultimate, featuring underwater combat (a later removed feature), and significant content additions.

• Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (2010): A PSP and PS3 (HD version) release, the best-selling handheld-exclusive Monster Hunter title.

• Monster Hunter 4 (2013) & Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (2015): Initially a 3DS exclusive (Japan), Ultimate (globally released) enhanced traversal with improved verticality and fluid movement, alongside a richer single-player experience.

• Monster Hunter Generations (2015) & Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (2017): A 3DS title (initially), later enhanced for Switch as Ultimate, blending classic and new mechanics, introducing Hunting Styles and Arts.

• Monster Hunter Stories (2016): An RPG spinoff, shifting to turn-based combat, emphasizing story and exploration. Available on 3DS, PS4, Switch, PC, and mobile.

• Monster Hunter World (2018) & Monster Hunter World: Iceborne (2019): A critical and commercial triumph, boasting seamless open-world design, streamlined gameplay, and global online support. Iceborne expanded the game significantly.

• Monster Hunter Rise (2021) & Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak (2022): The second best-selling entry, building on World and Generations Ultimate, introducing the Wirebug for enhanced traversal. Sunbreak provided a substantial expansion.

• Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (2021): A sequel to Monster Hunter Stories, refining the JRPG elements with turn-based combat, character customization, and a strong narrative.

• Monster Hunter Wilds (2025): The upcoming mainline entry, building upon World and Rise, promising dynamic environments and enhanced immersion.

Future of Monster Hunting:

Beyond Monster Hunter Wilds, Capcom and TiMi Studio Group are collaborating on Monster Hunter Outlanders, a free-to-play mobile game featuring multiplayer hunting and a vast open world. The release date remains unannounced.