Capcom’s Monster Hunter franchise, which celebrates its 20th anniversary, has evolved significantly over the years. The upcoming release of Monster Hunter Wilds on February 28, 2025, marks another milestone in the series. This article provides a chronological overview of the most important games in the franchise.
Franchise Overview
With over 25 games, including spinoffs and mobile entries, the Monster Hunter series has captivated players worldwide. This guide focuses on the 12 key titles that have shaped the franchise, omitting mobile and arcade-exclusive titles as well as certain MMOs.
Key Titles in Release Order
- Monster Hunter (2004) – Laid the foundation for the series on PlayStation 2.
- Monster Hunter Freedom (2005) – The first portable entry, enhancing the original game for PSP.
- Monster Hunter 2 (2006) – Introduced new gameplay elements like a day-night cycle.
- Monster Hunter Freedom 2 (2007) – Built upon the previous title with added content.
- Monster Hunter 3 (2009) – A Wii exclusive that introduced underwater combat.
- Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (2010) – The best-selling handheld game, despite limited release.
- Monster Hunter 4 (2013) – Improved traversal and single-player experience on 3DS.
- Monster Hunter Generations (2015) – A blend of old and new mechanics on 3DS.
- Monster Hunter Stories (2016) – A turn-based RPG spin-off focusing on story.
- Monster Hunter World (2018) – The series‘ best-selling title, moving to a more open-world design.
- Monster Hunter Rise (2021) – Built on World’s design with a focus on verticality.
- Monster Hunter Wilds (2025) – Expected to further evolve the franchise’s gameplay mechanics.
Future Developments
Following Monster Hunter Wilds, Capcom is also developing Monster Hunter Outlanders, a free-to-play mobile game. This title will feature multiplayer elements and a vast open world, although a release date has yet to be announced.
For more detailed information, visit the original article on IGN.