As we approach the release of Monster Hunter Wilds on February 28, 2025, it's a perfect time to reflect on the storied history of Capcom's iconic monster-hunting franchise. Celebrating over two decades since its inception, the series has evolved through multiple generations of gaming consoles, culminating in the monumental success of Monster Hunter World in 2018 and Monster Hunter Rise in 2021, which stand as the best-selling entries in the franchise and Capcom's top-selling games to date.
With the anticipation building for Monster Hunter Wilds, we've curated a chronological list of the 12 most significant games in the series, focusing on the core titles that have shaped its legacy. This list excludes mobile and arcade exclusives, discontinued MMOs, and unique spin-offs like Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village, developed by FromSoftware and exclusive to Japan.
The Monster Hunter series boasts over 25 games, encompassing base games, spin-offs, mobile entries, and enhanced versions. For our purposes, we've narrowed it down to the 12 most relevant titles that have defined the franchise's journey.
The Monster Hunter series does not follow a continuous narrative, allowing newcomers to start with any game. If you're considering diving into the series in 2025, you might want to wait for the community's feedback on Monster Hunter Wilds. For those eager to experience the series before Wilds, we recommend starting with either Monster Hunter World or Monster Hunter Rise. World offers a rich, immersive experience with a focus on exploration, while Rise emphasizes speed and fluidity in gameplay.
Out February 28
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The inaugural Monster Hunter game set the stage for the franchise, introducing core mechanics that would become its hallmark. Players embarked on quests to hunt monsters, using materials to craft and upgrade gear, a system that has remained central to the series. An expanded version, Monster Hunter G, was released exclusively in Japan the following year.
Monster Hunter
Capcom Production Studio 1
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Related Guides: Overview, Introduction, Basics, Walkthrough: One Star Quests
The series found a new home on portable consoles with Monster Hunter Freedom, an enhanced port of Monster Hunter G tailored for the PSP. This entry marked the beginning of a trend where portable versions outsold their home console counterparts, a pattern that continued until the release of Monster Hunter World.
Monster Hunter Freedom
Capcom Production Studio 1
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Returning to home consoles, Monster Hunter 2 (also known as Monster Hunter Dos) introduced new features like a day-night cycle and gems, enhancing the customization of weapons and armor. This game was released exclusively in Japan for the PS2.
Monster Hunter 2
Capcom Production Studio 1
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The second handheld entry, Monster Hunter Freedom 2, built upon the foundation of Monster Hunter 2 with new content and a focus on single-player gameplay. Its expansion, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, further enriched the experience with additional monsters, missions, and the introduction of Felyne companions.
Monster Hunter Freedom 2
Capcom Production Studio 1
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Related Guides: Overview, Village Quests
Monster Hunter 3 (also known as Monster Hunter Tri) introduced underwater combat and was initially released for the Wii, later expanding to the Wii U and 3DS as Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate with enhanced content and multiplayer features.
Monster Hunter Tri
Capcom Production Studio 1
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Related Guides: Overview, Basics, Quests, Moga Village Quests
An adaptation of Monster Hunter 3 for the PSP, Monster Hunter Portable 3rd also saw a PS3 release 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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