In 2025, one year after celebrating its 20th anniversary, Capcom's renowned monster-hunting franchise makes a grand return with Monster Hunter Wilds. This series has seen numerous iterations across various home and portable consoles, with standout successes like 2018's Monster Hunter World and 2021's Monster Hunter Rise, which are not only the best-selling titles in the series but also rank as Capcom's top two best-sellers of all time.

With Monster Hunter Wilds set to launch on February 28, we're taking a nostalgic journey through the franchise's evolution by presenting a chronological list of its most pivotal games.

How Many Monster Hunter Games Are There?

There are over 25 Monster Hunter games when you count all base games, spinoffs, mobile releases, and enhanced editions. However, our curated list focuses on the 12 most significant Monster Hunter games. This list omits mobile-only and arcade-exclusive titles like Monster Hunter i and Monster Hunter Spirits, defunct MMOs such as Monster Hunter Frontier and 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?

Since there's no overarching narrative connecting the Monster Hunter games, you have the freedom to start with any title. If you're diving into the series in 2025, consider waiting for reactions to Monster Hunter Wilds, due out on February 28. For those eager to experience the series before committing to Wilds, we recommend starting with either Monster Hunter World or Monster Hunter Rise. World is ideal for those who enjoy deep exploration and immersion, while Rise caters to players who value 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, along with Auto Modellista and Resident Evil: Outbreak, was developed to tap into the market potential of the PS2's online network, as Capcom's Ryozo Tsujimoto revealed to Eurogamer in 2014.

The inaugural Monster Hunter established the franchise's core mechanics, tasking players, whether solo or online, with quests to hunt monsters. Using materials gathered from the environment and the defeated beasts, players craft and upgrade weapons and armor to take on increasingly formidable foes. The following year saw the release of an expanded version, Monster Hunter G, exclusively in Japan.

Monster Hunter
Capcom Production Studio 1
Mar 11, 2004Rate this game

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Monster Hunter Freedom (2005)

Monster Hunter Freedom marked the series' transition to portable consoles in 2005, offering an enhanced port of Monster Hunter G optimized for solo play on the PSP. This title kicked off a trend where portable versions of Monster Hunter outsold their home console counterparts, a trend that continued until the monumental success of Monster Hunter World in 2018.

Monster Hunter Freedom
Capcom Production Studio 1
Dec 1, 2005Rate this game

Monster Hunter 2 (2006)

Monster Hunter 2 (also known as Monster Hunter Dos) brought the series back to home consoles, released exclusively in Japan for the PS2. This second mainline entry introduced a day-night cycle and gems, enhancing customization options for weapons and armor.

Monster Hunter 2
Capcom Production Studio 1
Feb 16, 2006Rate this game

Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (2007)

Monster Hunter Freedom 2, the second portable title, adapted the core gameplay of its home console counterpart (MH2) and added new content with a focus on single-player experience. The game was further expanded with Monster Hunter Freedom Unite in 2008, introducing new monsters, missions, maps, and the ability to have a Felyne fighter accompany the player in battle.

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

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Monster Hunter 3 (2009)

Monster Hunter 3 (also known as Monster Hunter Tri) debuted in Japan in 2009, with an international release in 2010. Initially developed for the PS3, it ultimately became a Wii exclusive. The game introduced new monsters, weapons, locations, and the short-lived underwater combat mechanic.

It later expanded to the Wii U and 3DS as Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, featuring new monsters, a revamped single-player mode, enhanced graphics, and a new multiplayer area.

Monster Hunter Tri
Capcom Production Studio 1
Aug 1, 2009Rate this game

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Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (2010)

Monster Hunter 3 was adapted and ported to the PSP as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, with a subsequent console release on 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
Dec 1, 2010Rate this game