A year after celebrating its 20th anniversary, Capcom’s monster-hunting franchise is set to return in 2025 with Monster Hunter Wilds. This prolific series has spanned multiple generations of home and portable consoles, achieving remarkable milestones with 2018’s Monster Hunter World and 2021’s Monster Hunter Rise. These two titles are not only the franchise’s best-selling games to date but also Capcom’s two best-selling games of all time.

With the release of Monster Hunter Wilds and a new Monster Hunter Stories on the horizon, we’re revisiting the franchise’s legacy by compiling a list of its most significant titles. The games are presented in chronological order by their release dates.

How Many Monster Hunter Games Are There?

There are over 25 Monster Hunter games when accounting for all base entries, spinoffs, mobile adaptations, and enhanced versions. For this list, we’ve narrowed it down to the 13 most essential titles. Mobile- and arcade-exclusive games (such as Monster Hunter i and Monster Hunter Spirits), closed MMOs (Monster Hunter Frontier, Monster Hunter Online), and region-specific releases like the Japan-exclusive Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village have been excluded from this selection.

Which Monster Hunter Game Should You Play First?

The Monster Hunter series does not feature a continuous storyline, allowing new players to start with virtually any game. If you’re stepping into the franchise in 2025, early reviews suggest that Monster Hunter Wilds is an excellent starting point. Alternatively, we recommend either Monster Hunter World or Monster Hunter Rise, depending on your preferences. World is ideal for players who value exploration and immersive environments, while Rise is better suited for those who prioritize speed and fluid combat mechanics.