What would you say you do in a game calledMonster Hunter? Take your time to really puzzle it out, it’s a real headscratcher. OK, you’ve thought about it? Perfect. Monster Hunter is a series about hunting monsters. It’s harder to be more literal than that. That’s part of why the game sells millions.
In the decades since its initial launch, there’s been a fair few Monster Hunter games to choose from. Keeping track of that history, however, is a bit complicated. Upgraded launches have a tendency of both changing platform and name pretty dramatically, so we’re going to go through them all, year by year, so you may have a concise overview of the whole series.
Updated April 12th, 2025, by Hilton Webster:With Wilds now with us, we’ve added it to the list alongside some other expansions and entries we missed the first time. Some of these games are no longer accessible anymore, but at least you can view them in memory, and have a blast with the one you can still play.
A quick note, this article covers the main series and select spin-offs by their initial Japanese release dates unless specified otherwise.
10Monster Hunter - 2004
The first entry in the now famed series, the original Monster Hunter defined what the series was, with that same gameplay loop staying solid for the next 20 years of releases. From famed Monsters like Rathalos to beloved weapons like the Sword and Shield, it gave youall the tools you needed for a good hunt.
Even in retrospect, the original Monster Hunter has some strong aspects to it, though it’s undeniably a tad aged compared to newer entries. That’s expected, seeing as it was the first entry in the now legendary franchise.
Monster Hunter Freedom - 2005
The original Monster Hunter was followed up a year later with an expanded version known as Monster Hunter Freedom. This version was exclusive to the PSP, added G-Rank, the famous highest rank of content, and added Dual Blades for the first time, letting you spin like a Beyblade.
9Monster Hunter 2 - 2006
In 2006, the original Monster Hunter was followed up with the aptly named sequel, Monster Hunter 2. This entry added plentiful new changes like seasons, many of the series' more iconic monsters, and some of its most beloved weapons, the Long Sword and Hunting Horn.
An interesting note, however, is that the original version of Monster Hunter 2 did not get an international launch and remained exclusive to Japan.
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite - 2008
This changed, however, with the 2008 launch of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, itself an expanded version of Monster Hunter Freedom 2, which in turn was an expanded version of Monster Hunter 2. This version was for the PSP once again and was launched internationally in 2009.
8Monster Hunter Frontier - 2007
Monster Hunter Frontier occupies a funny spot for many fans of the series. It is maximalism at its finest.The Monsters are massive, the worlds are large, there are way too many elemental effects, and most of all, it was an MMO.
In a dramatic departure from previous releases, Frontier launched exclusively on PC in Japan, later adding an Xbox 360 version in 2010. It sadly never got an international launch, and its online services were shut down in 2019.
Monster Hunter Frontier G - 2013
But what is an MMO without a big expansion? In typical Monster Hunter fashion, Frontier got an expansion simply titled ‘G’ in 2013. Also typical of Monster Hunter, it came to new platforms as well. All within a year of G’s launch, a PS3, PS Vita, and Wii U launch were added for the game.
Monster Hunter Frontier Z/ Z Zenith - 2016/2018
And what MMO worth its salt stops at just a single expansion? A few years on from the G version, Frontier got a Z version, adding with it a bunch of new monsters and an additional fighting style, ‘Extreme’ to accompany the already existing ones.
It got a final expansion in Z Zenithy, which added one of the most unique weapons to the series - the Magnet Spike - and a new category of Zenith monsters. This was sadly short-lived though, fully shutting down just a year later.
7Monster Hunter Tri - 2009
You might often see people, every time a new Monster Hunter is revealed, asking “Does this one have underwater combat?” That’s because Monster Hunter Tri added this famed system, alongside a bevy of new monsters and the now iconic Switch Axe.
A consequence of this was the removal of certain weapon types, and the redesigning of a host of monsters to work both on land and underwater. That said, the game was still a well-liked entry in the series.
Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (2010) And Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (2011)
Next came Monster Hunter Portable 3rd in 2010. This was a PSP and PS3 Japan-exclusive entry that built on some of the elements of Tri for a unique standalone game. This did, however, also include the removal of underwater combat. Later came Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for the 3DS and Wii U in 2011, adding more weapons for underwater combat and the famed G-Rank.
6Monster Hunter 4 - 2013
The first casualty of Monster Hunter 4 is the removal of underwater combat sections and the beginning of the ritual of asking for their return. It did, however, introduce a large number of changes to movement and environment design to allow greater freedom in traversal for both players and monsters.
Unlike most new mainline entries, Monster Hunter 4 is exclusive to a handheld console, the 3DS, a trend that would continue for its re-releases as well. Oh, and it added Insect Glaive and Charge Blade.
The original version of Monster Hunter 4 was another entry exclusive to Japan until it’s later versions.
Monster Hunter 4G/ Ultimate - 2014
Harkening back to the original Monster Hunter 2, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (G in Japan) was the first localised version of Monster Hunter 4, and underwent a more intensive localisation process than previous entries to attempt to secure a stronger foothold in the West. Another quirk is that this expanded launch was once again limited to the 3DS, with no new consoles added.
5Monster Hunter X/Generations - 2015
Despite looking like a mainline game and feeling like a mainline game, Monster Hunter Generations (known as X in Japan) is officially known as a spin-off, alongside Monster Hunter Frontier. And odd definition, but one that doesn’t take away from the game’s excellence.
New to Monster Hunter Generations is Hunting Arts. Each weapon comes with its own unique skills you’re able to activate in the middle of a hunt, from stat boosts to special attacks, as well as Styles that dramatically alter your overall playstyle for each weapon.
Monster Hunter XX/Generations Ultimate - 2017
This was later followed up with Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (XX in Japan) in 2017. This version added two new Hunting Styles, new monsters, and plenty more. A fun fact about the Japanese launch, it came to the 3DS first and Switch later, while the Western launch only came to the Switch.
4Monster Hunter Explore - 2015
Monster Hunter Explore is an interesting game in the series, locked exclusively to mobile. It’s one of the more in-depth Monster Hunter games for the platform, translating many of its ideas into a smaller, bite-sized package. The controls are simplified and the battles are restricted to small arenas, but is the still the core combat package in most regards.
Being a free-to-play mobile game, it did come with some aggressive monetisation practices, though you likely didn’t get a chance to try it out. While it lasted in Japan until 2020, the Canadian version lasted only a scant few months. At least it gave us the Accel Axe in that time. Maybe it will see new life in another game in future.
3Monster Hunter World - 2018
Monster Hunter World was a phenomenon on a somewhat unprecedented scale. The popularity of the series had been increasing in the West since the launch of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, but World was immense, quickly becoming one of Capcom’s best-selling games ever.
It also offered a pretty substantial shake-up to its structure. More time was spent in the world tracking Monsters, doing small missions, fishing, and so on.
On top of this, it was the first Monster Hunter game with a simultaneous worldwide launch.
Monster Hunter World Iceborne - 2019
This was followed up a year later with Iceborne, which Capcom loves to dub a ‘massive expansion’. Fair enough,Iceborne is pretty big. It added copious new monsters, a new area, new gameplay mechanics, and more. It was pretty substantial, and replaced the previous method of releasing a brand-new version of the game.
2Monster Hunter Rise - 2021
After the runaway success of World, it was hard to imagine Capcom could replicate that kind of success again. And though Rise was by no means as successful as World, the numbers it sold were astronomical compared to prior entries.
It acted as a return to form of previous games after World, featuring easily found Monsters that promote quick hunts. It also introduced wirebugs, dramatically improving movement through the world, and like always, a host of enigmatic monsters.
Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak - 2022
A year on, and with a PC version now in circulation, Sunbreak was Rise’s equivalent of World’s Iceborne expansion. It added the ability to swap Wirebug skills mid-combat, new areas (including the return of the Jungle), and some truly inspired new monsters.
1Monster Hunter Wilds - 2025
If there is one thing the Monster Hunter series is capable of, it’s change. With Wilds came the introduction of more cinematic storytelling to the main series as well as massive environments that seamlessly connected, all with monsters with their own schedules that will come and day as the days and seasons pass.
It’s a dramatic change in many ways. There is a degree more forgiveness in many of the monster battles, and the story, though thematically strong, can be a bit too hand-holdy at times. All of that said, the combat is just as bombastic as ever, and the monsters are just a treat. Plus, the game has plenty more life ahead of it.
