How to Play the Monster Hunter Games in Order

A year after celebrating its 20th anniversary, Capcom’s iconic monster-hunting franchise makes a triumphant return in 2025 with *Monster Hunter Wilds*, set to release on February 28. Over the years, the series has evolved across generations of consoles—both home and portable—reaching record-breaking success with *Monster Hunter World* (2018) and *Monster Hunter Rise* (2021), which remain not only the franchise's top-selling entries but also Capcom’s two best-selling titles ever.

With *Monster Hunter Wilds* just around the corner, now is the perfect time to take a look back at the evolution of this beloved action-RPG series. Below, we've compiled a list of the 12 most significant games in the Monster Hunter franchise, ordered chronologically by release date.

How Many Monster Hunter Games Are There?

There are over 25 Monster Hunter titles when counting mainline games, spinoffs, mobile releases, and updated versions. However, for this guide, we’ve narrowed it down to the 12 most essential Monster Hunter games. Our selection excludes mobile-exclusive titles (like *Monster Hunter i* or *Spirits*), shuttered MMOs (*Monster Hunter Frontier*, *Monster Hunter Online*), and niche Japan-only experiments like the FromSoftware-developed life-sim *Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village*.

Every IGN Monster Hunter Review

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Which Monster Hunter Game Should You Play First?

Since there’s no overarching narrative tying the series together, you can jump into any entry that suits your playstyle and platform preference. If you're new to the franchise in 2025, consider waiting for reactions to *Monster Hunter Wilds* before diving in—it launches globally on February 28 and promises to be one of the most immersive experiences yet. Alternatively, if you want to get started right away, *Monster Hunter World* and *Monster Hunter Rise* are excellent starting points. Choose *World* for deep exploration and world-building, or go with *Rise* for faster-paced, more fluid combat.

Out February 28

Monster Hunter (2004)

The original *Monster Hunter* was part of a strategic initiative by Capcom to explore online gaming on the PS2, alongside *Auto Modellista* and *Resident Evil: Outbreak*. As detailed in a 2014 interview with Ryozo Tsujimoto of Capcom, the game laid the foundation for everything the franchise would become.

It introduced the core gameplay loop: players receive quests to hunt monsters, gather materials, craft gear, and then tackle even stronger foes. While initially limited to single-player and local multiplayer, it offered an early glimpse of the deep systems that would define the series. An expanded version titled *Monster Hunter G* followed in Japan the next year.

Monster Hunter
Capcom Production Studio 1
Mar 11, 2004

Monster Hunter Freedom (2005)

In 2005, the series made its first major leap to handheld hardware with *Monster Hunter Freedom*, a reworked and enhanced version of *Monster Hunter G* optimized for solo play on the PlayStation Portable (PSP). This title marked the beginning of the franchise’s dominance in the portable market, selling over a million copies in Japan alone—a trend that continued until *Monster Hunter World* broke records on home consoles.

Monster Hunter Freedom
Capcom Production Studio 1
Dec 1, 2005

Monster Hunter 2 (2006)

Returning to the PS2 in 2006, *Monster Hunter 2* (known as *Monster Hunter Dos* in Japan) expanded on the original formula with new features such as a day-night cycle and gem-based customization for weapons and armor. These additions gave players more depth in crafting and character progression, setting the stage for future innovations in the series.

Monster Hunter 2
Capcom Production Studio 1
Feb 16, 2006

Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (2007)

This sequel built upon the previous PSP title by expanding the content from *Monster Hunter 2*. It featured deeper customization, new monsters, and additional quests. In 2008, it received a major update called *Monster Hunter Freedom Unite*, which added even more content, including new areas, missions, and the introduction of Felyne companions who could assist players in battle.

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

Monster Hunter 3 (2009)

Originally developed for PS3, *Monster Hunter 3* (later known as *Tri* in Japan) launched exclusively on Wii in 2009 before receiving international release in 2010. The game introduced underwater combat—a unique but short-lived mechanic—and significantly expanded the roster of monsters, weapons, and environments.

Later iterations included *Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate* for Wii U and 3DS, offering enhanced graphics, improved single-player content, and new multiplayer zones.

Monster Hunter Tri
Capcom Production Studio 1
Aug 1, 2009