A Complete Guide to Playing Monster Hunter Games in Sequence

A year after celebrating its 20th anniversary, Capcom’s acclaimed monster-hunting series makes a triumphant return in 2025 with the eagerly anticipated release of Monster Hunter Wilds. This storied franchise has thrived across various home and handheld platforms, achieving remarkable heights with 2018’s Monster Hunter World and 2021’s Monster Hunter Rise—both of which stand as the series’ top-selling titles and Capcom’s all-time best-selling games.

As we eagerly approach the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds on February 28, let’s reflect on the franchise’s evolution through a chronological overview of its most significant titles.

Over 25 Monster Hunter titles exist when factoring in main installments, spin-offs, mobile games, and enhanced editions. In this article, we’ve curated a list of the 12 most influential Monster Hunter games, intentionally omitting mobile and arcade-exclusive titles (such as Monster Hunter i and Monster Hunter Spirits), discontinued MMOs (including Monster Hunter Frontier and Monster Hunter Online), and the Japan-exclusive, FromSoftware-developed title Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village.

There isn’t a unified narrative across the Monster Hunter collection, so players are free to start with any entry. If you plan to dive into the franchise in 2025, it may be wise to wait for feedback on Monster Hunter Wilds upon its release on February 28. However, if you’re eager to experience the series beforehand, we suggest trying Monster Hunter World or Monster Hunter Rise. World tends to attract those who appreciate exploration and immersive environments, while Rise appeals more to those who prioritize speed and fluid gameplay.

Monster Hunter Wilds – Standard Edition

Complete List of Monster Hunter Games by Release Date

Monster Hunter (2004)

The original Monster Hunter was developed alongside Auto Modellista and Resident Evil: Outbreak as part of a trio of titles exploring the PS2’s online capabilities, as explained by Capcom’s Ryozo Tsujimoto in a 2014 interview with Eurogamer.

This first Monster Hunter title laid the groundwork for the series, presenting many of the gameplay mechanics that define it. Players embark on quests to hunt monsters, either solo or cooperatively online, using gathered materials and monster parts to forge and enhance their weapons and armor before challenging even mightier monsters.

A refined version titled Monster Hunter G followed, released exclusively in Japan the next year.

Monster Hunter Freedom (2005)

The franchise established its identity on handheld devices in 2005 with Monster Hunter Freedom, an enhanced port of Monster Hunter G that catered to single-player experiences on the PSP. This inaugural portable installment sold over a million copies, as reported by Capcom, marking the beginning of a trend where the handheld versions of Monster Hunter consistently outperformed their home console equivalents—until the unexpected triumph of Monster Hunter World in 2018.

Monster Hunter 2 (2006)

For the second main entry, Capcom revitalized the series on home consoles with Monster Hunter 2 (also known as Monster Hunter Dos), released exclusively for the PS2 in Japan. This title introduced a day-night cycle and the inclusion of gems, broadening customization options for weapons and armor.

Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (2007)

The series’ second handheld installment, Monster Hunter Freedom 2, built upon its PlayStation 2 predecessor and expanded the single-player experience with additional content. This game was later enhanced with Monster Hunter Freedom Unite in 2008, adding new monsters, missions, maps, and the ability for players to have a Felyne companion join them in battle.

Monster Hunter 3 (2009)

Monster Hunter 3 (also known as Monster Hunter Tri) launched in Japan in 2009 before reaching international audiences in 2010. Originally intended for the PS3, it was ultimately released as a Wii exclusive. This installment introduced exciting new monsters, weapons, and areas, including a unique underwater combat system.

It would later reappear on the Wii U and 3DS as Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, featuring additional monsters, an enhanced single-player mode, improved graphics, and a new multiplayer zone.

Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (2010)

Following the trend established by its predecessors, Monster Hunter 3 was adapted for the PSP under the title Monster Hunter Portable 3rd. In a notable departure from earlier portable versions, this game also saw a release on the PS3 as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD Ver.

Despite its absence from Western markets, Monster Hunter Portable 3rd still ranks as the best-selling title among Capcom’s handheld-exclusive Monster Hunter games, with an impressive 4.9 million copies sold.

Monster Hunter 4 (2013)

Initially made available only on the 3DS, Monster Hunter 4 saw its release exclusively in Japan. Its enhanced version, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (known as Monster Hunter 4G in Japan), marked its international debut as a launch title for the New Nintendo 3DS. This series iteration introduced new mechanics enhancing vertical movement and fluid character navigation, along with an enriched narrative featuring deeper stories and a more populous NPC cast.

Monster Hunter Generations (2015)

Capcom released Monster Hunter Generations (known as Monster Hunter X in Japan) following Monster Hunter 4, another 3DS exclusive. This installment was likened to a ‘greatest hits’ collection of sorts, integrating classic and new mechanics from the series’ decade-long history. A notable feature of Generations was the introduction of Hunting Styles and Arts, which enhanced combat and customization options.

Generations later saw a revised edition called Monster Hunter Generations XX in Japan and Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate released globally, marking the series’ debut on the Nintendo Switch.

Monster Hunter Stories (2016)

Monster Hunter Stories is a unique spin-off that transitions the action-packed series into the realm of RPGs. True to its genre, Stories swaps out the real-time action for a turn-based combat structure while placing a greater emphasis on narrative and exploration.

Originally available on the 3DS, it has since expanded to platforms such as PS4, Switch, PC, and mobile devices.

Monster Hunter World (2018)

Monster Hunter World represents the pinnacle of the series, achieving both critical acclaim and commercial success. With 27 million units sold, it stands as both the best-selling game in the franchise and at Capcom. It has also received a Metascore of 90, making it the highest-rated installment to date.

With World, Capcom returned development focus to home consoles, specifically the PS4 and Xbox One. The game aimed to engage a broader Western audience by adopting a more fluid open-world format, simplifying the intricate mechanics of the franchise, fully incorporating online gameplay with global servers, and ensuring simultaneous worldwide releases.

A substantial expansion, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, followed the next year, introducing an array of new monsters, mechanics, and a storyline rivaling the original game’s scale.

Monster Hunter Rise (2021)

Monster Hunter Rise ranks as the franchise’s second top seller, trailing only World in terms of both sales and Metascore. The sub-title ‘World’ reflects the previous game’s wider appeal, while ‘Rise’ emphasizes a heightened focus on vertical gameplay, a design choice bolstered by the introduction of the Wirebug, allowing for wall-climbing and more agile movement.

Rise builds upon the earlier Switch title, Generations Ultimate, while also evolving with elements from World, as both games were developed concurrently. According to our review, “much of the streamlining World introduced has been incorporated into Rise,” while also reintroducing features like separate Village and Hub questlines for single-player and multiplayer, as well as the capability to adjust weapon playstyles—concepts from earlier series entries.

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, an expansion to the game, launched the following year, delivering new quests, monsters, and environments.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (2021)

Capcom followed the success of Rise with Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, a continuation of the 2016 RPG. Co-developed with Marvelous Inc. (known for Story of Seasons), Wings of Ruin embraces traditional JRPG elements such as turn-based combat, character customization, and a strong storyline. This sequel allows players to team up with monsters (known affectionately as Monsties) instead of simply hunting them, creating a party dynamic reminiscent of Pokémon games.

Monster Hunter Wilds (2025)

Monster Hunter Wilds, set to launch on February 28 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, will be the newest installment in the franchise. It’s a significant mainline entry that enhances the design features of World and Rise, promising “dynamic, ever-evolving environments” along with what Capcom claims to be the series’ “most sophisticated combat and improved immersion.”

In our 2024 preview of Monster Hunter Wilds, we noted that it “embraces the inviting aspects of Rise while maintaining the grand scale and spectacle that established World as a lasting favorite.”

Future Monster Hunter Titles

The next release for the franchise is the aforementioned Monster Hunter Wilds, set to launch on February 28 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For detailed insights, be sure to check out our extensive IGN First coverage:

Capcom is also collaborating with TiMi Studio Group (known for Call of Duty Mobile and Pokémon Unite) on a free-to-play mobile experience titled Monster Hunter Outlanders, which features multiplayer elements and promises a vast open world. The release date for Outlanders has yet to be revealed.

Jordan is a freelance writer covering games, television, and movies for IGN.

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