Capcom's Monster Hunter franchise, celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2024, roars back in 2025 with Monster Hunter Wilds. The series, spanning multiple console generations, achieved unprecedented success 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 entries.
The Monster Hunter Universe:
While over 25 Monster Hunter games exist, including spin-offs and mobile titles, this list focuses on the 12 most impactful, excluding mobile, arcade, and defunct MMO entries. Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village (a Japan-exclusive FromSoftware title) is also omitted.
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Starting Your Monster Hunter Journey:
The Monster Hunter series lacks a continuous narrative, offering flexible entry points. Newcomers in 2025 might prefer awaiting Monster Hunter Wilds reviews. Otherwise, Monster Hunter World (emphasizing exploration) or Monster Hunter Rise (prioritizing speed and fluidity) are excellent starting points.
Out February 28### Monster Hunter Wilds - Standard Edition
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Chronological Overview of Monster Hunter Games:
Monster Hunter (2004)
Initially conceived to test the PS2's online capabilities, the original Monster Hunter established core gameplay: players undertake quests, hunt monsters, and craft equipment using harvested materials. Monster Hunter G, an expanded Japanese-only version, followed.
Monster HunterCapcom Production Studio 1
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Monster Hunter Freedom (2005)
This PSP port of Monster Hunter G, optimized for single-player, marked the series' successful transition to handheld consoles, selling over a million copies.
Monster Hunter FreedomCapcom Production Studio 1
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(Subsequent entries will follow a similar format, summarizing key features and platform releases.)
Monster Hunter 2 (2006)
Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (2007) and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (2008)
Monster Hunter 3 (2009) and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (2013)
Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (2010)
Monster Hunter 4 (2013) and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (2015)
Monster Hunter Generations (2015) and Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (2017)
Monster Hunter Stories (2016)
Monster Hunter World (2018) and Monster Hunter World: Iceborne (2019)
Monster Hunter Rise (2021) and Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak (2022)
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin (2021)
Monster Hunter Wilds (2025)
The Future of Monster Hunting:
Following Monster Hunter Wilds (releasing February 28th for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC), Capcom, in collaboration with TiMi Studio Group, is developing Monster Hunter Outlanders, a free-to-play mobile title featuring a large open world and multiplayer hunting. A release date is yet to be announced. Further details on Monster Hunter Wilds can be found via IGN First coverage.
