A year after its 20th anniversary, Capcom's monster-hunting behemoth returns in 2025 with Monster Hunter Wilds. This prolific series has spanned generations of consoles, reaching new heights with 2018's Monster Hunter World and 2021's Monster Hunter Rise—the franchise's, and Capcom's, two best-selling games ever.
With Monster Hunter Wilds launching February 28th, let's journey through the series' history, exploring its most impactful titles in chronological order.
Counting base games, spin-offs, mobile entries, and enhanced versions, the Monster Hunter family boasts over 25 games. This list, however, focuses on the 12 most significant entries. Excluded are mobile and arcade-only titles (Monster Hunter i, Monster Hunter Spirits, etc.), defunct MMOs (Monster Hunter Frontier, Monster Hunter Online), and the Japan-exclusive, Animal Crossing-esque Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village developed by FromSoftware.
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The Monster Hunter series lacks a continuous narrative, offering flexibility in your starting point. New to the hunt in 2025? Consider waiting for Monster Hunter Wilds’ reception on February 28th. If you're eager to begin now, Monster Hunter World or Monster Hunter Rise are excellent choices. World prioritizes exploration and immersion; Rise emphasizes speed and fluidity.
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As Ryozo Tsujimoto of Capcom revealed to Eurogamer in 2014, Monster Hunter, alongside Auto Modellista and Resident Evil: Outbreak, was part of a three-game initiative to gauge the PS2's online network potential.
The original Monster Hunter laid the series' foundation, introducing core mechanics. Players, solo or online, undertake quests to hunt monsters, using harvested materials to craft and upgrade weapons and armor for tougher hunts. An expanded version, Monster Hunter G, followed exclusively in Japan.
Monster HunterCapcom Production Studio 1Rate this gameRelated GuidesOverviewIntroductionBasicsWalkthrough: One Star Quests
In 2005, the series found its portable home on the PSP with Monster Hunter Freedom, an enhanced port of Monster Hunter G optimized for single-player. Capcom reported sales exceeding one million copies, initiating a trend where portable Monster Hunter titles outsold their console counterparts—a trend that persisted until Monster Hunter World's 2018 success.
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Capcom returned to home consoles with Monster Hunter 2 (Monster Hunter Dos), a PS2 exclusive for Japan. It introduced a day-night cycle and gems, expanding weapon and armor customization.
Monster Hunter 2Capcom Production Studio 1Rate this game
Monster Hunter Freedom 2, the second handheld entry, built upon its console counterpart (MH2) with new content and a single-player focus. Further expanded in 2008's Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, it added monsters, missions, maps, and a Felyne fighter companion.
Monster Hunter Freedom 2Capcom Production Studio 1Rate this gameRelated GuidesOverviewVillage Quests
Monster Hunter 3 (Monster Hunter Tri) debuted in Japan in 2009, launching internationally in 2010 as a Wii exclusive (initially planned for PS3). New monsters, weapons, locations, and the short-lived underwater combat were introduced. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate later arrived on Wii U and 3DS, adding new monsters, enhanced single-player, updated visuals, and a new multiplayer area.
Monster Hunter TriCapcom Production Studio 1Rate this gameRelated GuidesOverviewBasicsQuestsMoga Village Quests
Similar to its predecessors, Monster Hunter 3 was adapted for PSP as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, also receiving a PS3 release as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD Ver. Despite its Western absence, it's Capcom's best-selling handheld-exclusive Monster Hunter title, with 4.9 million units sold.
Monster Hunter Portable 3rdCapcom Production Studio 1Rate this game
Monster Hunter 4, initially a Japan-only 3DS release, saw global launch as the enhanced Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (Monster Hunter 4G in Japan) for the New Nintendo 3DS. This generation notably improved traversal with increased verticality and smoother movement, enhancing single-player with a richer story and more NPCs.
Monster Hunter 4CapcomRate this gameRelated GuidesOverviewWalkthroughCaravan QuestsBasics
Monster Hunter Generations (Monster Hunter X in Japan), another 3DS exclusive, blended old and new mechanics from the series' history, as described in our review as "a greatest hits album." Hunting Styles and Arts added new layers to customization and combat. Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (Monster Hunter Generations XX in Japan) followed, becoming the first Monster Hunter game on Nintendo Switch.
Monster Hunter Generations UltimateCapcomRate this gameRelated GuidesOverviewThings to Do FirstThings Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate Doesn't Tell YouWhat's New in Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate?
Monster Hunter Stories, a spin-off RPG, traded real-time action for turn-based combat, emphasizing story and exploration. Initially on 3DS, it expanded to PS4, Switch, PC, and mobile.
Monster Hunter StoriesCapcom+2Rate this gameRelated GuidesOverviewAmiibo Functionality and UnlockablesDLCPre-Order Bonuses
Monster Hunter World, a critical and commercial triumph, stands as the series' best-selling title (27 million copies) and boasts a Metascore of 90. Capcom shifted primary development back to home consoles (PS4, Xbox One), aiming for broader Western appeal with a seamless open world, simplified systems, global online support, and simultaneous worldwide release. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, a massive expansion, added new monsters, mechanics, and a substantial story.
Monster Hunter WorldCapcomRate this gameRelated GuidesOverviewBeginner's Guide to Monster Hunter WorldHow to get the Frozen Speartuna Greatsword - Trophy Fishin' Event QuestIceborne Expansion
Monster Hunter Rise, second only to World in sales and Metascore, emphasizes verticality through the Wirebug mechanic, enabling wall-climbing and smoother traversal. It builds on Generations Ultimate and World, retaining streamlined elements from World while incorporating features like separate Village and Hub questlines from older titles. Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak expanded the game with new story, monsters, and locations.
Monster Hunter RiseCapcom+2Rate this gameRelated GuidesOverviewSunbreak ExpansionSunbreak Armor - Master RankSunbreak Layered Armor
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, co-developed by Marvelous Inc., continues the RPG spin-off, utilizing turn-based combat, character customization, and a story-driven approach. It features a party system similar to Pokémon games, allowing players to fight alongside monsters (Monsties).
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of RuinCapcomRate this gameRelated GuidesOverviewUpdate 2 - Kulve Taroth, Boltreaver Astalos, Hellblade GlavenusTips and Things MHS2 Doesn't Tell YouHow to Unlock Deviant Monster Quests
Monster Hunter Wilds, launching February 28th on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, builds upon World and Rise, featuring dynamic environments and improved action and immersion. As our 2024 preview highlighted, it blends the accessibility of Rise with the spectacle of World.
Monster Hunter WildsCapcom WishlistRelated GuidesOverviewMonster Hunter Wilds Beta DetailsMultiplayer Guide - Crossplay, Link Parties and MoreMonster Hunter Wilds Monsters
How Capcom’s Belief in the Series Made it a Worldwide HitHow the Monster Hunter Wilds Team Select Their Beastly LineupMonster Hunter Wilds Developers Talk Weapon ChangesBehind Monster Hunter Wilds' New Approach to Starting Weapons and Hope Series GearMonster Hunter Wilds: The Final Preview
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