A year after celebrating its 20th anniversary, Capcom’s iconic monster-hunting franchise is set to make a grand return in 2025 with the release of Monster Hunter Wilds. This series has journeyed through various home and portable consoles, achieving remarkable success with Monster Hunter World in 2018 and Monster Hunter Rise in 2021, which stand as not only the franchise's best-selling entries but also Capcom's top-selling games of all time.

Scheduled for release on February 28, 2025, Monster Hunter Wilds prompts us to reflect on the rich history of the franchise. We've curated a chronological list of the 12 most significant Monster Hunter games, focusing on those that have defined the series.

How Many Monster Hunter Games Are There?

The Monster Hunter series boasts over 25 titles, encompassing base games, spinoffs, mobile entries, and enhanced versions. For our list, we've selected the 12 most impactful games, excluding mobile-only and arcade-exclusive titles like Monster Hunter i and Monster Hunter Spirits, as well as discontinued MMOs such as Monster Hunter Frontier and Monster Hunter Online. We've also omitted the Japan-exclusive, FromSoftware-developed game, Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village, which resembles Animal Crossing.

Every IGN Monster Hunter Review

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Which Monster Hunter Game Should You Play First?

The Monster Hunter franchise doesn't follow a continuous storyline, giving you the freedom to start with any game. If you're considering diving into the series in 2025, you might want to wait for the reception of Monster Hunter Wilds, set to launch on February 28. For those eager to experience the series sooner, Monster Hunter World offers a deep, immersive experience with its focus on exploration, while Monster Hunter Rise appeals to players who value speed and fluid gameplay.

Out February 28

Monster Hunter Wilds - Standard Edition

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Every Monster Hunter Game in Release Order

Monster Hunter (2004)

Monster Hunter was developed alongside Auto Modellista and Resident Evil: Outbreak to explore the PS2’s online potential, as revealed by Capcom’s Ryozo Tsujimoto in a 2014 interview with Eurogamer. This game established the franchise's core mechanics, where players, alone or with others online, undertake quests to hunt monsters, using materials to craft and upgrade gear for battling even more formidable foes.

An expanded version, Monster Hunter G, was released exclusively in Japan the following year.

Monster Hunter

Capcom Production Studio 1

Mar 11, 2004

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Monster Hunter Freedom (2005)

The franchise found a new home on portable consoles with Monster Hunter Freedom, an enhanced port of Monster Hunter G optimized for single-player on the PSP. This entry sold over a million copies, kickstarting a trend where portable versions outsold home console releases until Monster Hunter World broke the pattern in 2018.

Monster Hunter Freedom

Capcom Production Studio 1

Dec 1, 2005

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Monster Hunter 2 (2006)

Capcom returned to the home console with Monster Hunter 2 (also known as Monster Hunter Dos), released exclusively in Japan for PS2. This sequel introduced a day-night cycle and gems, enhancing weapon and armor customization.

Monster Hunter 2

Capcom Production Studio 1

Feb 16, 2006

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Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (2007)

Monster Hunter Freedom 2 marked the second handheld entry, building upon Monster Hunter 2 with additional content and a stronger single-player focus. It was further expanded in 2008 with Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, which introduced new monsters, missions, maps, and the option to have a Felyne fighter join the battle.

Monster Hunter Freedom 2

Capcom Production Studio 1

Feb 22, 2007

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Monster Hunter 3 (2009)

Monster Hunter 3 (also known as Monster Hunter Tri) launched in Japan in 2009, expanding internationally in 2010. Initially developed for the PS3, it became a Wii exclusive, introducing underwater combat alongside new monsters, weapons, and locations.

It later evolved into Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for Wii U and 3DS, adding new content, enhanced single-player experiences, updated graphics, and a new multiplayer area.

Monster Hunter Tri

Capcom Production Studio 1

Aug 1, 2009

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Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (2010)

Monster Hunter 3 was adapted for the PSP as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, and later released on PS3 as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD Ver. Despite its absence in Western markets, 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, 2010

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