"Mastering Monster Hunter: A Step-by-Step Guide to Playing the Series in Order"

A year after celebrating its 20th anniversary, Capcom's iconic monster-hunting franchise is set to make a grand return in 2025 with Monster Hunter Wilds. This prolific series has spanned multiple generations of home and portable consoles, achieving new heights with the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Monster Hunter World in 2018 and Monster Hunter Rise in 2021, which are not only the best-selling games in the series but also Capcom's top-selling titles of all time.

With Monster Hunter Wilds slated for release on February 28, 2025, we take a moment to reflect on the franchise's rich history by presenting a chronological list of the most significant games in the series.

How Many Monster Hunter Games Are There?

There are over 25 Monster Hunter games, encompassing base games, spinoffs, mobile entries, and enhanced versions. For this list, we've curated the 12 most pivotal Monster Hunter games, excluding mobile- and arcade-exclusive titles (such as Monster Hunter i and Monster Hunter Spirits), discontinued MMOs (Monster Hunter Frontier and Monster Hunter Online), and the Japan-exclusive, FromSoftware-developed game Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village, which resembles Animal Crossing.

Every IGN Monster Hunter Review

12 Images### Which Monster Hunter Game Should You Play First?

The Monster Hunter series does not have a continuous storyline, allowing you to start with any game. If you're new to the series in 2025, consider waiting for the community's feedback on Monster Hunter Wilds, set to launch on February 28. For those eager to dive in before Wilds, we recommend starting with either Monster Hunter World or Monster Hunter Rise. World is ideal for those who enjoy exploration and immersion, while Rise caters to players who prefer speed and fluidity.

Out February 28### Monster Hunter Wilds - Standard Edition

2See it at AmazonEvery Monster Hunter Game in Release Order

Monster Hunter (2004)

Monster Hunter, alongside Auto Modellista and Resident Evil: Outbreak, was developed to explore the market potential of the PS2's online network, as Capcom's Ryozo Tsujimoto shared with Eurogamer in 2014.

The inaugural Monster Hunter established the franchise's core mechanics, where players, either solo or with others online, undertake quests to hunt monsters. The materials gathered from the environment and defeated monsters are used to craft and upgrade weapons and armor, preparing for battles against even more formidable foes.

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

Monster HunterCapcom Production Studio 1Mar 11, 2004

Rate this gameRelated GuidesOverviewIntroductionBasicsWalkthrough: One Star Quests### Monster Hunter Freedom (2005)

In 2005, the series 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 marked the beginning of a trend where portable versions outsold their home console counterparts, a trend that continued until the breakout success of Monster Hunter World in 2018.

Monster Hunter FreedomCapcom Production Studio 1Dec 1, 2005

Rate this game### Monster Hunter 2 (2006)

Capcom returned to home consoles for the series' second main entry, Monster Hunter 2 (also known as Monster Hunter Dos), released exclusively in Japan for the PS2. This game introduced a day-night cycle and gems, enhancing weapon and armor customization options.

Monster Hunter 2Capcom Production Studio 1Feb 16, 2006

Rate this game### Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (2007)

Monster Hunter Freedom 2, the second handheld game in the series, built upon its home console counterpart, MH2, with new content and a focus on single-player. The game was further expanded in 2008 with Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, which introduced new monsters, missions, maps, and the ability to have a Felyne fighter join the player in battle.

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

Rate this gameRelated GuidesOverviewVillage Quests### Monster Hunter 3 (2009)

Monster Hunter 3 (also known as Monster Hunter Tri) debuted in Japan in 2009 and was released internationally in 2010. Initially developed for the PS3, it was ultimately released as a Wii exclusive. This third mainline game introduced new monsters, weapons, locations, and the series' short-lived underwater combat.

It was later released on the Wii U and 3DS as Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, featuring new monsters, a revamped single-player experience, updated graphics, and a new multiplayer area.

Monster Hunter TriCapcom Production Studio 1Aug 1, 2009Rate this gameRelated GuidesOverviewBasicsQuestsMoga Village Quests### Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (2010)

Following the trend, Monster Hunter 3 was adapted and ported to the PSP as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd. Unlike its predecessors, this game also received a console release on the PS3 as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD Ver.

Despite not being released in the West, Monster Hunter Portable 3rd became the best-selling handheld-exclusive Monster Hunter game, with 4.9 million copies sold.

Monster Hunter Portable 3rdCapcom Production Studio 1Dec 1, 2010

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