The Monster Hunter series began in 2004. The chronological guide below covers its major standalone console and PC releases, including the separate Monster Hunter Stories RPG series, plus the key expansions. Years refer to each release’s initial launch where the available chronology establishes it; regional launches can fall later. This is not a complete catalogue of every mobile, online, regional, crossover, or short-lived spin-off release.
Monster Hunter games in release order
Monster Hunter is a hunting-action series, while Monster Hunter Stories is a distinct RPG branch. Portable editions and expanded versions are included as related releases, not presented as a string of numbered sequels. For entries with meaningful regional differences, the table notes the Japan-first year and, where established, a later Western launch.
| Initial release | Game | How it fits |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Monster Hunter | The original PlayStation 2 game. Capcom dates the first title to March 2004. |
| 2005 | Monster Hunter G | An expanded follow-up to the original, released less than a year later. |
| 2005 Japan; 2006 elsewhere | Monster Hunter Freedom / Monster Hunter Portable | The portable release launched in Japan in December 2005 and in the rest of the world in May 2006. |
| 2006 | Monster Hunter 2 (Dos) | A numbered hunting-action entry. |
| 2007 | Monster Hunter Freedom 2 / Monster Hunter Portable 2nd | A portable series entry. Capcom identifies 2007 as the year of Freedom 2. |
| 2008 | Monster Hunter Freedom Unite / Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G | An expanded portable release; the Japanese version arrived in 2008. |
| 2009 | Monster Hunter Tri | A mainline third-generation entry. |
| 2010 | Monster Hunter Portable 3rd / Monster Hunter Freedom 3 | The Japanese release was in late 2010. PlayStation describes Portable 3rd as Japan-exclusive. |
| 2011 Japan; 2013 Western release | Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate / Monster Hunter 3G | An expanded branch of Tri, released under different names in Japan and the West. |
| 2013 | Monster Hunter 4 | A numbered hunting-action entry. |
| 2014 | Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate / Monster Hunter 4G | The expanded version of Monster Hunter 4. |
| 2015 | Monster Hunter Generations | A portable-focused series entry. |
| 2016 | Monster Hunter Stories | The first game in the RPG branch, with a Monster Rider premise rather than the main series’ hunting-action format. |
| 2017 | Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate / Monster Hunter XX | An expanded version of Generations. |
| 2018 | Monster Hunter: World | A major entry in the series’ global era. |
| 2021 | Monster Hunter Rise | A hunting-action entry. Capcom’s announced Nintendo Switch launch date was March 26, 2021; other platforms had separate launch dates. |
| 2021 | Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin | The second RPG in the Stories branch. |
| 2025 | Monster Hunter Wilds | Released February 28, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. |
| 2026 announced | Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection | Capcom announced the third Stories game as an official sequel for 2026. The announcement establishes the year, not a release day. |
Where the expansions fit
These major add-ons belong after their base games in a release chronology, but they are expansions rather than standalone numbered mainline entries.
| Release | Expansion | Base game |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Monster Hunter World: Iceborne | Monster Hunter: World |
| 2022 | Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak | Monster Hunter Rise |
Capcom identifies Sunbreak as a premium expansion for Rise; its product data tracks Iceborne separately from World. That separate product listing does not make Iceborne a new standalone mainline game.
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#1 Best Overall
- Refined Graphics: Originally released in 2016 on the Nintendo 3DS, players can now experience riding Monsties in stunning detail on larger screens, enhanced with improved modeling, textures, and lighting in high definition.
- Now Fully Voiced: Immerse yourself in the adventure with full Japanese and English voiceovers.
- Additional Language Support: Monster Hunter Stories will have additional language support, newly featuring Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, and Arabic.
- Museum mode: Delve deeper into the world of Monster Hunter Stories through the newly added Museum mode, featuring the game’s background music and developer sketches.
- Included Title Updates (TU): Previously only available in Japan, players can now enjoy title updates, unlocking content from TU 1.20 and TU 1.30.
Does release order determine what you should play first?
No. This chronology is useful for following how the franchise developed, not as a required story sequence. The main series focuses on hunting giant monsters, while Stories uses an RPG structure built around a Monster Rider who forms bonds with monsters. Choose based on whether you want action hunting or the distinct RPG branch; the numbered release sequence is not a prerequisite for either.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why the list is not literally every release
Monster Hunter has had releases across multiple territories and formats, including mobile games, online services, and short-lived spin-offs. The chronology above focuses on major standalone console and PC releases and the two Stories RPGs, with prominent expansions identified separately. It should not be read as an exhaustive list of every regional version, crossover, or online and mobile release.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- Contains both Monster Hunter: World and the Iceborne expansion
- Explore sprawling locales teeming with undiscovered creatures and thriving ecosystems
- Battle fearsome monsters not only to craft new weapons & armor, but also to drive the story forward and uncover the mysteries of the New World and Hoarfrost Reach
- Extensive single-player campaign that also allows drop-in multiplayer; use the SOS Flare to summon other hunters for an assist!
- Use monster materials, as well as items found growing in the wild, to craft new items and gear
Rank #3
- Introduces Kirin, a lightning-charged elder dragon mega boss that delivers one of the most demanding and strategic hunts in Monster Hunter World: The Board Game.
- Expands campaign depth with branching quests, rare loot rewards, and powerful crafting paths that reshape how hunters prepare for future encounters.
- Features escalating difficulty as Kirin grows more dangerous, forcing players to adapt tactics, optimize builds, and master risk-reward decisions.
- Includes a highly detailed Kirin miniature with commanding table presence, enhancing immersion and visual impact during epic boss battles.
- Designed for experienced tabletop players seeking intense cooperative gameplay, advanced strategy, and meaningful long-term progression.
Rank #2
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