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 generations of consoles, reached new heights with Monster Hunter World (2018) and Monster Hunter Rise (2021), Capcom's two best-selling games ever.

With Monster Hunter Wilds launching February 28th, 2025, let's explore the franchise's history through its most significant titles.

The Monster Hunter Universe: A Vast Landscape

While over 25 Monster Hunter games exist (including base games, spin-offs, mobile titles, and enhanced versions), this list focuses on the 12 most impactful. Excluded are mobile and arcade exclusives (Monster Hunter i, Monster Hunter Spirits), defunct MMOs (Monster Hunter Frontier, Monster Hunter Online), and the Japan-exclusive Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village.

Starting Your Monster Hunting Journey

The Monster Hunter series lacks a continuous narrative, allowing players to begin with any title. Newcomers in 2025 might prefer to await Monster Hunter Wilds reviews. However, Monster Hunter World (emphasizing exploration and immersion) and Monster Hunter Rise (prioritizing speed and fluidity) are excellent starting points.

Chronological Overview of Key Monster Hunter Games:

• Monster Hunter (2004): The foundational title, introducing core gameplay mechanics: hunting monsters, gathering materials, crafting equipment, and facing progressively tougher challenges. Monster Hunter G, an enhanced Japanese-only version, followed.

PlayStation 2

• Monster Hunter Freedom (2005): The PSP debut, a refined Monster Hunter G experience optimized for single-player handheld gaming. Its success launched a trend of portable titles outselling console versions.

PlayStation Portable

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

PlayStation 2

• Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (2007) & Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (2008): Building upon MH2, with added content and single-player focus. Freedom Unite further expanded the game with new monsters, missions, and a Felyne companion.

PlayStation Portable

• Monster Hunter 3 (2009) & Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (2013): Initially a Wii exclusive, introducing underwater combat (later removed). 3 Ultimate expanded upon the original with enhanced visuals, new content, and a reworked single-player experience across Wii U and 3DS.

Nintendo Wii

• Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (2010): A PSP and PS3 release, Capcom's best-selling handheld Monster Hunter title.

PlayStation 3 & PlayStation Portable

• Monster Hunter 4 (2013) & Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (2015): A 3DS exclusive (initially in Japan), enhancing vertical traversal and single-player storytelling. 4 Ultimate was a global release for New Nintendo 3DS.

Nintendo 3DS

• Monster Hunter Generations (2015) & Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (2017): A 3DS title blending past mechanics, introducing Hunting Styles and Arts. Generations Ultimate was the first Switch entry.

Nintendo Switch & Nintendo 3DS

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

Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS

• Monster Hunter World (2018) & Monster Hunter World: Iceborne (2019): A critical and commercial triumph, with a streamlined open world, enhanced online play, and simultaneous global release. Iceborne is a massive expansion.

PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

• Monster Hunter Rise (2021) & Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak (2022): Building on World and Generations Ultimate, introducing the Wirebug for enhanced mobility. Sunbreak is a substantial expansion.

Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S

• Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (2021): A sequel to the original Stories, refining the RPG elements.

Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC

• Monster Hunter Wilds (2025): The upcoming mainline entry, combining elements of World and Rise.

PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC

The Future of Monster Hunting

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