Following its 20th anniversary, Capcom’s iconic monster-hunting series gears up for 2025 with Monster Hunter Wilds. Spanning multiple console generations, the franchise reached new heights with the critically acclaimed Monster Hunter World in 2018 and Monster Hunter Rise in 2021, marking Capcom’s two best-selling titles to date.

With Monster Hunter Wilds set to launch on February 28, we revisit the franchise’s legacy with a curated list of its most significant games, arranged by release date.

Total Number of Monster Hunter Games

The Monster Hunter series includes over 25 titles, encompassing mainline games, spinoffs, mobile releases, and enhanced editions. For this guide, we’ve selected the 12 most impactful Monster Hunter games, excluding mobile- and arcade-only titles (e.g., Monster Hunter i, Monster Hunter Spirits), discontinued MMOs (e.g., Monster Hunter Frontier, Monster Hunter Online), and the Japan-exclusive, Animal Crossing-inspired Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village by FromSoftware.

Every IGN Monster Hunter Review

Best Monster Hunter Game to Start With

The Monster Hunter series lacks a continuous narrative, allowing players to begin with any title. For those diving in during 2025, consider waiting for feedback on Monster Hunter Wilds, releasing February 28. If you’re eager to explore the series now, Monster Hunter World offers rich exploration and immersion, while Monster Hunter Rise prioritizes fast-paced, fluid gameplay.

Monster Hunter Wilds - Standard Edition

Monster Hunter Games in Release Order

Monster Hunter (2004)

Launched alongside Auto Modellista and Resident Evil: Outbreak, Monster Hunter was part of Capcom’s initiative to tap into the PS2’s online capabilities, as noted by Capcom’s Ryozo Tsujimoto in a 2014 Eurogamer interview.

The original Monster Hunter established the franchise’s core mechanics, with players undertaking quests to hunt monsters solo or online, gathering materials from the environment and defeated creatures to craft and enhance gear for tougher battles.

An expanded edition, Monster Hunter G, was released exclusively in Japan in 2005.

Monster HunterCapcom Production Studio 1Mar 11, 2004

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Monster Hunter Freedom (2005)

In 2005, Monster Hunter Freedom brought the series to portable gaming with an enhanced port of Monster Hunter G, optimized for solo play on the PSP. Selling over a million copies, as reported by Capcom, it marked the start of the franchise’s dominance on handheld platforms, a trend that persisted until Monster Hunter World’s success in 2018.

Monster Hunter FreedomCapcom Production Studio 1Dec 1, 2005

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Monster Hunter 2 (2006)

Capcom revisited home consoles with Monster Hunter 2 (also known as Monster Hunter Dos), a Japan-exclusive PS2 release. This sequel introduced a day-night cycle and gems, expanding options for weapon and armor customization.

Monster Hunter 2Capcom Production Studio 1Feb 16, 2006

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Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (2007)

The second portable entry, Monster Hunter Freedom 2, adapted Monster Hunter 2 for PSP with new content and a single-player focus. Its 2008 expansion, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, introduced new monsters, missions, maps, and a Felyne companion for battles.

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

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Monster Hunter 3 (2009)

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

It was later ported to Wii U and 3DS as Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, featuring new monsters, enhanced single-player gameplay, updated visuals, and a new multiplayer hub.

Monster Hunter TriCapcom Production Studio 1Aug 1, 2009

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Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (2010)

Following its predecessors, Monster Hunter 3 was adapted for PSP as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, with a PS3 release as Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD Ver. Despite its Japan-only release, it sold 4.9 million copies, making it Capcom’s best-selling handheld-exclusive Monster Hunter title.

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

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Monster Hunter 4 (2013)

Monster Hunter 4 debuted exclusively for 3DS in Japan, with its enhanced version, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (Monster Hunter 4G in Japan), released globally as a New Nintendo 3DS launch title. This installment enhanced traversal with greater verticality and smoother movement, while deepening the single-player experience with a richer story and more NPCs.

Monster Hunter 4CapcomJun 30, 2013

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Monster Hunter Generations (2015)

Capcom released Monster Hunter Generations (Monster Hunter X in Japan) for 3DS, blending classic and contemporary mechanics for a “greatest hits” experience, as noted in our review. It introduced Hunting Styles and Arts for enhanced combat and customization.

An enhanced edition, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (Monster Hunter Generations XX in Japan), marked the series’ debut on Nintendo Switch.

Monster Hunter Generations UltimateCapcomAug 25, 2017

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Monster Hunter Stories (2016)

Monster Hunter Stories, a spinoff, shifted the series into RPG territory with turn-based combat and a focus on story and exploration. Initially a 3DS exclusive, it later expanded to PS4, Switch, PC, and mobile.

Monster Hunter StoriesCapcomOct 8, 2016

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Monster Hunter World (2018)

Monster Hunter World stands as the franchise’s pinnacle, with 27 million copies sold and a Metascore of 90, making it Capcom’s best-selling and highest-rated game. Targeting a global audience, Capcom shifted development to PS4 and Xbox One, introducing a seamless open-world design, simplified mechanics, global online play, and a simultaneous worldwide release.

The 2019 expansion, Monster Hunter World: Iceborne, added new monsters, mechanics, and a story campaign rivaling the base game’s scope.

Monster Hunter WorldCapcomJan 26, 2018

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Monster Hunter Rise (2021)

Monster Hunter Rise, the series’ second-best performer, builds on Monster Hunter World and Generations Ultimate. Its Wirebug mechanic enhances verticality and fluid movement, while retaining World’s streamlined systems and reintroducing separate Village and Hub quests from earlier titles.

The 2022 expansion, Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, introduced a new storyline, monsters, and locations.

Monster Hunter RiseCapcomMar 25, 2021

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Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (2021)

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, a sequel to the 2016 RPG, was co-developed by Marvelous Inc. (Story of Seasons). It emphasizes turn-based combat, character customization, and storytelling, allowing players to team up with monsters (Monsties) in a party system reminiscent of Pokemon RPGs.

Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of RuinCapcomJul 9, 2021

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Monster Hunter Wilds (2025)

Monster Hunter Wilds, launching February 28 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, is the latest mainline entry, building on World and Rise with dynamic environments and enhanced action, per Capcom.

Our 2024 Monster Hunter Wilds preview suggests it balances Rise’s accessibility with World’s grand scale and spectacle, promising a compelling evolution of the series.

Monster Hunter WildsCapcomFeb 28, 2025

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Future Monster Hunter Titles

Monster Hunter Wilds, set for release on February 28 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, leads the franchise’s future. Explore our detailed IGN First coverage for insights:

Capcom is also collaborating with TiMi Studio Group (Call of Duty Mobile, Pokemon Unite) on Monster Hunter Outlanders, a free-to-play mobile title featuring multiplayer hunting and a vast open world, with no confirmed release date.