Games
Main Series
Monster Hunter Wilds
The upcoming Monster Hunter title to kick off the 6th generation of Monster Hunter games. The game is teased to be released during Summer 2025.
An unknown electric sandstorm engulfs the Windward Plains, shifting from savannah to desert. Monster Hunter Wilds further expands on wide open environments, Monster Hunter World's Slinger, and Monster Hunter Rise's Canyne mounts via the Seikret. This new improved mount adds flying/hovering to high up spots, and can hold a second swappable weapon to equip during combat at the player's leisure. Many large monsters now live in packs like the pack raptor monsters, and individuals must be lured away to fight alone.
Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak
The expansion DLC for Monster Hunter Rise, released for Switch and PC on June 30, 2022, and for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series on April 28, 2023.
A new plague descends on the land known as the Demonlord and its Qurio, leeching from monsters and inversely making them temporarily more hazardous. Being an expansion of Rise, Sunbreak retains the fast paced action combat focus, increasing the roster with original and returning monsters, weapon upgrades, armors and quests taking place in new and familiar environments. Original monsters and subspecies this time around are based on European legend, turning a soporific mermaid into a chilling siren.
Monster Hunter Rise
The portable title of the 5th generation, Monster Hunter Rise was released for Switch on March 26, 2021, for PC on January 20, 2022, then PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series on January 20, 2023.
Carrying over the seamless areas and the new armor skill system of Monster Hunter World, Monster Hunter Rise introduces new monsters based on Japanese Yokai, led into a craze by a mysterious phenomenon known as The Rampage. The Wirebug and Canyne (Palamute) are introduced for traversing swiftly through new locations and reimagined Monster Hunter 3 locations.
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne
The expansion DLC for Monster Hunter: World, released for Playstation 4 and Xbox One on September 6, 2019, then for PC on January 9, 2020.
A new adventure starts with a mysterious "song" causing Legiana to migrate to an unknown chart of the New World, known as the Hinterlands (Hoarfrost Reach). New monsters and returning old monsters, with their weapons, armors, and skills are added to the game. The player gains a Clutch Claw moveset, earned immediately upon purchasing DLC (usable for Low Rank newbies that own Iceborne), and a customizable calming home with a variety of furniture options.
Monster Hunter: World
The extremely popular mainline title to kick off the 5th generation, Monster Hunter: World was released for Playstation 4 and Xbox One on January 26, 2018, then for PC on August 9, 2018.
The Research Commission studies the Elder Crossing, a migration of Elder Dragons to die in a specific spot in the New World, the setting of Monster Hunter: World. A variety of new monsters and some old monsters are hunted and studied in this strange continent. Hunters gain a nifty tool called the Slinger, which can slingshot small objects to distract monsters, set off traps, or be used in combat for myriad effects. Loading zones exist no more from this game forward, as all areas in locations are seamless travelled.
This titles also introduces fleshed out crossover monsters, namely Behemoth from Final Fantasy, then Leshen and Ancient Leshen from The Witcher.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate
An expanded version of Monster Hunter Generations, released exclusively in Japan for 3DS on March 18, 2017, then Switch on August 25, 2017, then released worldwide on the Switch on August 28, 2018.
A mysterious red star is sighted around the world, dropping strange crystalline husks like comets. As usual, G rank has been included in this version, as well as 2 Hunting Styles known as Valor and Alchemy that Monster Hunter Generations did not have. More returning monsters are added in this portable anniversary title, as well as exclusive locations and monsters mostly consisting of new Deviant fights. Prowler Mode is also slightly expanded upon.
Monster Hunter Generations
The 4th generation portable title to celebrate the series anniversary, released exclusively for 3DS in Japan on November 28, 2015, then for North America and Europe on July 15, 2016.
A arcade-style game focusing full on the hunt and minimizing story/monster cutscenes, players gain access to 4 Hunting Styles known as Guild (normal), Striker, Aerial, and Adept, as well as flashy Hunter Arts which fill up via fighting. Past villages are revisited, as well as 4 new flagship monsters plaguing their homes. The brand new Deviants come into play, basic monsters that survived near death and becoming even stronger!
This game also introduces a "technical 15th weapon type" known as Prowler Mode, where you play as any Palico you recruit, fighting with swords and boomerangs and even small tanks! Not dissimilar to Hunter Arts, Prowler's gauge fills up and replacing item use are Palico skills which use up the meter.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
The expanded version of Monster Hunter 4, released for the 3DS in Japan on October 11, 2014, then internationally on February 13, 2015.
New subspecies are added and old monsters return in this international version of the game.
Monster Hunter 4
The 4th mainline title released for the 3DS in Japan on September 14, 2013, then for South Korea on December 14, 2013. This game never released outside Japan and Korea.
A black fog known as the Frenzy Virus plagues the world, tainting monsters but making them stronger. This title introduces the Charge Blade as the 14th weapon type, as well as jump attacks and mounting for vertical immersion.
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
The upgraded fusion of both 3rd generation games was released for 3DS in Japan on December 10, 2011, then Japan's HD Wii U version on December 8, 2012. Both 3DS and Wii U versions release worldwide on varying days in mid-March 2013.
The story of the undersea earthquakes affecting Moga Village carries over to this title, focusing less on Portable 3rd's plot. Only some monsters from Portable 3rd return, but the 13 weapon types return, with Cha-Cha and the exclusive Kayamba once again replacing Felyne partners. Rather than Loc Lac returning, Port Tanzia instead replaces the online hub quest role.
Monster Hunter Portable 3rd
The very popular portable title of the 3rd generation was released exclusively to Japan and Korea for the PSP on December 1, 2010, then a Japan-only HD PS3 version on August 25, 2011.
A dark hurricane brews causing the exotic Zinogre to flee on the path to Yukumo Village, warranting danger. The weapon types not present in Monster Hunter 3 return for this game including the Switch Axe. Felynes reprise their partner role and replace Cha-Cha in this title.
Monster Hunter 3
Also known as Monster Hunter Tri, this mainline game starting the 3rd generation was released exclusively on the Wii in Japan on August 1, 2009, then in varying days of late April 2010 for worldwide release.
Dangerous earthquakes are caused by a giant sea serpent which Moga Village assumes to be Lagiacrus' doing. Dual Blades, Hunting Horn, Gunlance, and Bow are NOT in this title, however it introduces the new Switch Axe, and a little Shakalaka named Cha-Cha replaces Felyne support in this title. The desert city of Loc Lac for online hub quests is exclusive to this title and doesn't return.
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
The upgraded version of Freedom 2, making a portable game the "ultimate" version of the 2nd generation, released for the PSP in Japan on March 27, 2008 and Korea 2 days later on March 29. The game exported internationally in late June 2009. An iOS version released on May 8, 2014 for Japan and July 3, 2014 for North America/Europe, however the game is currently hidden off of the App Store.
Monster Hunter Freedom 2
A international PSP port of Monster Hunter 2 with exclusive content, released on February 22, 2007 for Japan, late August 2007 for North America/Korea, then early September 2007 for Europe/Australia.
With more additions than Monster Hunter G's port to Monster Hunter Freedom, Monster Hunter Freedom 2 introduces a few new monsters and Pokke Village instead of Jumbo Village. However, Yama Tsukami and the seasons system is absent from the original game.
Monster Hunter 2
Also known as Monster Hunter Dos, the Japan-exclusive sequel to Monster Hunter that starts the 2nd generation was released for PS2 on February 16, 2006.
The Long Sword, Hunting Horn, Gunlance, and Bow make their debut in this sequel.
Monster Hunter Freedom
A international version of Monster Hunter G with slight changes released for the PSP in Japan on December 1, 2005, then various countries in May 2006, then to Korea on September 21, 2006.
Most additions to Monster Hunter G are in this "port", with some additions including the game's only exclusive monster, (Scarred) Yian Garuga.
Monster Hunter G
An expanded and updated edition released for the PlayStation 2 on March 11, 2004 exclusively in Japan and Korea, with a further updated version released for the Wii on April 23, 2009 in Japan.
All changes from the international version of Monster Hunter carry over, along with major changes to game balance, particularly with a new Armor Skill system, replacing the Armor Set system from the original game.
New content includes extended and new Weapon trees, more quests, including the new G Rank, Subspecies for most large monsters, Rare Species, blue and white sharpness and the addition of the Training School.
The Wii port came bundled with a demo for Monster Hunter 3 and a Monster Hunter themed Classic Controller, some important differences include support for 16:9 aspect ratio, Freedom-style controls, some moveset expansions from 2nd Generation games, Harvest Tour quests, a preview window for equipment and the inclusion of Poogie.
Monster Hunter
The original Monster Hunter game, released for the PlayStation 2 on March 11, 2004 in Japan, September 21, 2004 in North America, and May 27, 2005 in Europe.
Defining the series' core gameplay, Monster Hunter is an online hunting action game where players experience life as a monster hunter in a light fantasy setting in which giant monsters roam the land. The Japanese version of Monster Hunter featured 5 weapon classes (Great Sword, Sword & Shield, Hammer, Lance, and Bowgun). A sixth weapon class, Dual Blades (aka Dual Swords), was added in the North American version, alongside a number of other major and minor gameplay tweaks and overhauls.
Spinoffs
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin
Template:NavigationMHST2 The sequel to Monster Hunter Stories, a turn taking RPG, released for Switch and PC on July 9th, 2021, then for PS4 on June 14th, 2024.
A similar tragedy affects another continent in the form of the Rage-Rays, shining forth from large pits which once again frenzy nearby monsters, but also lure in the Rathalos population who disappear forever. Features and characters from the first game are expanded upon, with new monsters and Monsties alike, including the Rider's main ally, Razewing Ratha, another baby Rathalos but with mutated folded black-blue wings, in legends destined to bring misery. Exclusive to this title, the player can have another Rider NPC and their Monstie as battle buddies, or alternatively a Hunter.
Monster Hunter Riders
Template:NavigationMHRiders A discontinued mobile gacha RPG based on Monster Hunter Stories, released exclusively for iOS in Japan on February 19, 2020. The game shut its doors forever on June 16, 2022.
A new tale with more Rider populations, the player character accompanies Mary and her Rathalos Monstie as they search for the truth behind the Black Apostle group of malicious Riders, and the Elder Dragon behind their mind corruption. The game features a 23 chapter (& epilogue) main campaign, also with Rider stories and event/crossover stories.
The game's combat is more akin to other JRPGs, turn taking combat with only skills instead of the rock-paper-scissors format. Riders must be earned in the game's gacha, assisted with ingame currency via paid microtransactions, and Monstie eggs have to be hatched for that specific Rider. Monster Hunter Riders collaborated with Monster Hunter Rise and Monster Hunter Stories 2 to celebrate their releases, but also with Dragon Quest, bringing their famous threats as eggs to be hatched for the player's Riders.
Monster Hunter Stories
A turn taking RPG released in Japan for the 3DS on October 8, 2016, then worldwide on September 8, 2017, followed by a worldwide iOS port on September 25, 2018. A remaster with full voice acting, DLC previously Japan exclusive, and bonus content released on June 14, 2024 worldwide for Switch, PS4, and PC.
A new adventure awaits on this unique spin on the series, where the Rider player and their monster companions "Monsties", must explore the world and discover the truth of the Black Blight, a strange corrupting fog altering dangerous monsters. New friends are met along the way, like a hatched baby Rathalos named Ratha, distinguishable with a scar on his left eye, and Navirou, a strange large-headed Felyne with a latent power only matched by his donut gluttony. Combat uses a rock-paper-scissors style fight, but with learnable skills (which are either R-P-S or unique) for added damage. Learning a monster's attack preference is the key to winning!
Monster Hunter Frontier
A discontinued altered MMO-esque version of Monster Hunter 2, released exclusively in Japan for PC on June 21, 2007, then for Xbox 360 on June 24, 2010. The game needed paid monthly subscriptions to play, and released major content updates known as Frontier G on April 17, 2013, then Frontier Z on November 9, 2016. After Frontier Z Zenith's update on September 26, 2018, the entire game shut down forever on December 18, 2019.
Originally consisting of Monster Hunter 2's monsters, Monster Hunter Frontier expanded onward update after update, gaining its own original cast of new monsters, and powered up monsters from the main series, even spanning to Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate's additions. Some updates added exclusive new weapon types, the Tonfa and the Magnet Spike, and hunting styles that changed movesets of all weapon types.
