"Mastering Monster Hunter: Play Order Guide"

As we approach the release of Monster Hunter Wilds in 2025, a year after celebrating its 20th anniversary, Capcom's iconic monster-hunting franchise continues to evolve. The series has spanned multiple generations of home and portable consoles, achieving remarkable success with Monster Hunter World in 2018 and Monster Hunter Rise in 2021, which stand as the franchise's best-selling titles and Capcom's top-selling games of all time.

With the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds scheduled for February 28, it's the perfect time to reflect on the franchise's rich history. Below, we've compiled a chronological list of the 12 most significant Monster Hunter games, excluding mobile and arcade exclusives, discontinued MMOs, and the Japan-only, FromSoftware-developed game, Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village.

How Many Monster Hunter Games Are There?

There are over 25 Monster Hunter games, encompassing base games, spinoffs, mobile titles, and enhanced editions. However, for this list, we focus on the 12 most impactful Monster Hunter games.

Every IGN Monster Hunter Review

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Which Monster Hunter Game Should You Play First?

With no overarching narrative connecting the games, you're free to dive into any entry. If you're considering starting your Monster Hunter journey in 2025, you might want to wait for feedback on Monster Hunter Wilds, set to release on February 28. Alternatively, for a taste of the series before committing to Wilds, we recommend either Monster Hunter World or Monster Hunter Rise. World offers a richer exploration and immersion experience, while Rise focuses on 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, alongside Auto Modellista and Resident Evil: Outbreak, was developed as part of Capcom's initiative to explore the PS2's online capabilities, as shared by Capcom's Ryozo Tsujimoto in a 2014 Eurogamer interview.

The inaugural Monster Hunter game set the groundwork for the franchise, introducing key mechanics. Players embark on quests to hunt monsters, utilizing materials from the world and defeated monsters to craft and upgrade their gear, preparing for encounters with increasingly formidable foes.

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

Monster Hunter
Capcom Production Studio 1
Mar 11, 2004
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Monster Hunter Freedom (2005)

The series found a new home on portable consoles with Monster Hunter Freedom, an enhanced port of Monster Hunter G optimized for single-player on the PSP. This entry marked the beginning of a trend where portable versions outsold their home console counterparts, a pattern that continued until the success of Monster Hunter World in 2018.

Monster Hunter Freedom
Capcom Production Studio 1
Dec 1, 2005
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Monster Hunter 2 (2006)

Capcom revisited home consoles with Monster Hunter 2, released exclusively in Japan for the PS2. This sequel introduced a day-night cycle and gems, enhancing customization options for weapons and armor.

Monster Hunter 2
Capcom Production Studio 1
Feb 16, 2006
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Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (2007)

The second handheld installment, Monster Hunter Freedom 2, built upon the core of Monster Hunter 2 with new content tailored for single-player. It was further expanded in 2008 with Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, which introduced additional monsters, missions, maps, and the option to have a Felyne fighter join battles.

Monster Hunter Freedom 2
Capcom Production Studio 1
Feb 22, 2007
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Monster Hunter 3 (2009)

Monster Hunter 3, also known as Monster Hunter Tri, initially launched in Japan in 2009 and later internationally in 2010. Originally intended for the PS3, it became a Wii exclusive. The game introduced underwater combat, new monsters, weapons, and locations.

It was later enhanced and released for the Wii U and 3DS as Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, featuring new monsters, a revamped single-player experience, updated graphics, and a new multiplayer area.

Monster Hunter Tri
Capcom Production Studio 1
Aug 1, 2009
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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. Unlike previous portable iterations, it also received a PS3 version titled 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
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