How to Play the Monster Hunter Games in Order

Capcom's Monster Hunter franchise, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, roars back in 2025 with Monster Hunter Wilds. This acclaimed series, spanning generations of consoles, achieved new heights with Monster Hunter World (2018) and Monster Hunter Rise (2021), Capcom's two best-selling titles ever.

Launching February 28th, Monster Hunter Wilds prompts a retrospective on the franchise's key installments, chronologically listed below. Note: this curated list focuses on the most significant entries, excluding mobile, arcade, and discontinued MMO titles.

The Monster Hunter Universe: A Selection of Key Games

The Monster Hunter series boasts over 25 games, encompassing base titles, spin-offs, mobile releases, and enhanced versions. This list highlights 12 pivotal games.

12 Images

Starting Your Monster Hunter Journey

The series lacks a continuous narrative, offering flexibility in choosing a starting point. Newcomers in 2025 might prefer awaiting Monster Hunter Wilds reviews (February 28th release). Alternatively, Monster Hunter World (exploration-focused) or Monster Hunter Rise (speed and fluidity) provide excellent entry points.

Out February 28

Monster Hunter Wilds - Standard Edition

2See it at Amazon

Chronological Overview of Monster Hunter Games

Monster Hunter (2004)

Initially conceived to test the PS2's online capabilities, the original Monster Hunter established the franchise's core gameplay: players undertake quests to hunt monsters, using harvested materials to craft and upgrade equipment. Monster Hunter G, an expanded version, followed exclusively in Japan.

Monster HunterCapcom Production Studio 1Mar 11, 2004

Rate this gameRelated GuidesOverviewIntroductionBasicsWalkthrough: One Star Quests

Monster Hunter Freedom (2005)

This PSP port of Monster Hunter G, optimized for single-player, marked the series' successful transition to handheld consoles. Its million-plus sales initiated a trend of portable versions outselling their console counterparts, lasting until Monster Hunter World's release.

Monster Hunter FreedomCapcom Production Studio 1Dec 1, 2005

Rate this gameRelated GuidesOverviewVillage Quests

(Continued in next response due to character limits)