Every Monster Hunter Game Ranked

Every Monster Hunter Game Ranked

Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we are ranking a series that has SURPRISINGLY more entries than you realised. There’s a few smaller spin-offs we’re missing, and we’re combining some entries that are essentially the same game, but for all intents and purposes: This is Every Monster Hunter Game Ranked. Let’s go!

16. “Monster Hunter 2” (2006)

Looking back, "Monster Hunter Dos" or “Monster Hunter 2” for the layman, feels a bit like the series' mad scientist phase. The game wasn't afraid to experiment, introducing features that made the world feel more dynamic and believable, including seasonal changes and systems designed to make hunting seem like part of a living ecosystem. On paper, many of these ideas were impressive. In practice, however, they could also be frustrating. The game often demanded more patience from players than later entries, with mechanics that felt clunky or overly complicated by modern standards. Because it never saw a full western release, much of its reputation comes from dedicated import players and long-time fans. As a result, "Dos" is often praised for its ambition and influence, even if few people would call it the hardest way to experience the series overall.

15. “Monster Hunter Stories“ (2016)

At first glance, "Monster Hunter Stories" sounded like the kind of spin-off that shouldn't work. Instead of hunting giant creatures, players were suddenly collecting, raising, and battling alongside them in a colourful RPG adventure. It would have been easy for the game to feel like it was simply borrowing ideas from "Pokémon", but it managed to carve out its own identity (even if I did technically put it on a Pokemon Rip-offs list). Critics responded positively, and many players appreciated seeing a different side of the "Monster Hunter" universe. The focus shifted toward storytelling, monster bonding, and turn-based battles, while still keeping familiar elements such as gear progression, egg collecting, and elemental strengths and weaknesses. Classics with a twist. Like spaghetti carbonara, but made like lasagna.

14. “Monster Hunter Portable 3rd” (2010)

Few games in the series generate as many frustrated "we should have got this" conversations as "Monster Hunter Portable 3rd". While western players largely had to admire it from afar, the game became a massive success in Japan, moving millions of copies and turning into one of the PSP's biggest hits, the PSP, MY FAVOURITE HANDHELD AND I JUST HAD TO SIT THERE MONSTER HUNTER PORTABLE 3RD-LESS. It built upon the portable formula established by earlier entries, polishing mechanics, adding memorable monsters, and delivering an experience many fans still look back on fondly. Over the years, import guides, fan translations, and online communities helped spread its reputation far beyond Japan. The reason it doesn't rank even higher is mostly a matter of influence and accessibility. Well, accessibility really.

13. “Monster Hunter Frontier” (2007)

Trying to place "Monster Hunter Frontier" in a ranking is a bit like trying to rank a theme park that kept adding new rides for over a decade. During its long lifespan, the game accumulated an enormous amount of content, introducing monsters, mechanics, and difficulty spikes that often pushed far beyond what the main series attempted. This also included a global release after 3 years called “Monster Hunter Frontier G”. For some players, that made it one of the most exciting entries ever created. For others, it became overloaded with systems, grind, and the usual frustrations that come with live-service games. Since the servers shut down in 2019, "Frontier" has taken on an almost legendary status among fans. Opinions remain divided, but it definitely wasn’t boring. Messy at times? Absolutely. Memorable and influential? Check my online stats.

12. “Monster Hunter” (2004)

It's easy to forget that the first "Monster Hunter" wasn't an instant phenomenon. When it launched on the PlayStation 2, many players simply didn't know what to make of it. The core formula was already there: accept quests from a village, track down giant monsters, carve materials from their remains, then use those resources to craft stronger gear before heading out again. Today that loop is the heart of the franchise, but back then it felt unusual and, at times, frustrating. Combat was slow and deliberate, inventory management could be a chore, and crafting often demanded a level of patience many players weren't expecting. Even so, those who stuck with it discovered something special hiding beneath the rough edges. It still remains my favourite Monster Hunter of all time. Once a year I blow the dust off my PS2 and relive a simple version of an amazing series, it’s nowhere near the best, but it holds a place in fans’ hearts that’s hard to shake.

11. “Monster Hunter Freedom 2” (2007) / “Monster Hunter Freedom Unite” (2009)

While "Monster Hunter Freedom 2" was an important step forward for the series, many fans would argue that "Monster Hunter Freedom Unite" is where things truly exploded. "Freedom 2" brought the Japan-only "Monster Hunter 2" experience to western audiences, refining the portable formula while introducing iconic monsters like Tigrex and several weapon classes that remain series staples today, including the Long Sword and Gunlance. Then Capcom followed it up with "Freedom Unite", a massive expansion packed with extra content, tougher challenges, and the introduction of G Rank, now known as Master Rank. The addition of Palico companions also made solo play far more manageable. It was bigger, faster, and more polished than its predecessors. The only downside was that it established Capcom's habit of releasing an expanded version shortly after the original. It’s kinda like getting dinner at 7pm, and the chef saying “Yeah, you can have the porterhouse, but we’re actually putting a better porterhouse on the menu in 2 hours, can you wait?”

10. “Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin” (2021)

Instead of focusing on hunters carving up giant monsters for new boots, "Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin" takes the series in a completely different direction. Players become Riders, forming friendships with creatures known as Monsties, which is admittedly a name that sounds much better once you stop fighting it. Unlike its predecessor, which some fans felt leaned a little too heavily into a younger audience, the sequel strikes a much better balance. The colourful art style gives the world plenty of charm, while the expanded monster roster helps it feel closely connected to the main series. Combat swaps real-time action for a strategic turn-based system built around predicting attacks and exploiting weaknesses. It's an excellent spin-off, and an excellent game.

9. “Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflections” (2026)

Our latest MH entry, and "Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflections" takes a noticeably more dramatic approach from the other stories entries. The plot centres around the mysterious Crystal Encroachment, a crisis that creates tension throughout the world and gives the protagonist a much more personal reason to get involved. As a result, the narrative carries a little more weight than previous "Stories" games, making it easier to become invested in the journey. Beyond the plot, the game also improves several key systems. Riding monsters feels smoother, exploration is more enjoyable, and combat offers greater depth through expanded upgrade options and battle mechanics. Combined with a strong cast of companions and impressive visuals, it feels like a natural evolution of the formula and one of the strongest entries in the spin-off series.

8. “Monster Hunter Generations” (2015)

Rather than reinventing the wheel, "Monster Hunter Generations" decided to throw a giant party celebrating everything that came before it. The game pulls together a huge collection of monsters, locations, and ideas from across the franchise, while introducing Hunter Styles and Hunter Arts to dramatically change how each weapon could be played. Suddenly, familiar weapons felt fresh again, giving players far more freedom to experiment with different approaches. Critics responded positively, and fans were generally just as enthusiastic. The only real drawback was that the game sometimes felt more like a collection of highlights than a carefully structured journey. There was always something to do, but the experience could occasionally feel a little scattered. But it’s Monster Hunter, there’s talking cats, so who gives a f**k?

7. “Monster Hunter Freedom” (2005)

At first glance, "Monster Hunter Freedom" might look like little more than a portable version of the original game, but its impact on the series was far bigger than that description suggests. By bringing "Monster Hunter" to the PSP, Capcom accidentally stumbled upon a formula that would help turn the franchise into a phenomenon in Japan. The handheld's ad-hoc multiplayer made gathering with friends for hunting sessions incredibly easy, and the series quickly found a passionate audience. Western players had a different experience. Many were forced to tackle the game's demanding quests alone, which made the grinding and difficulty much more noticeable. The PSP controls didn't help either, with the infamous "Monster Hunter claw" becoming a rite of passage for dedicated players. I was not a dedicated player. I still enjoyed it though!

6. “Monster Hunter Wilds” (2025)

After more than two decades of refining the formula, "Monster Hunter Wilds" feels like the point where everything finally clicks into place. Building on the seamless world design introduced in recent entries, it creates larger and more dynamic environments that feel genuinely alive. The integration of base camps directly into the world removes another layer of loading screens and helps make exploration much more natural, while the monster roster is equally impressive, blending memorable newcomers with fan-favourite returning beasts. Combat is arguably the strongest it has ever been, with all 14 weapon types feeling smooth, responsive, and packed with useful options. All this said, “Monster Hunter Wilds” is one of the messiest entries to rank. Critics loved it at launch, while public opinion was much more complicated. Steam’s current overall response is mixed, and large waves of negative PC reviews focused on performance, crashes, optimisation, and endgame frustrations. That said, underneath the technical drama, many players still praise it .. Like me, but I play on PS5.

5. “Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate” (2018)

If quantity alone determined rankings, "Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate" would be fighting for the top spot. This game is absolutely overflowing with content, packing in an enormous roster of monsters, hundreds of quests, multiple hunting styles, flashy Hunter Arts, and even the ability to play as a Palico! The dream. It's essentially a giant celebration of everything the series had built up to that point. Critics generally enjoyed it, although some noted that it felt a little old-fashioned after the streamlined design of "Monster Hunter: World". Fans, however, were far more forgiving. Fans like me .. I liked it.

4. “Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate” (2013)

The third generation of "Monster Hunter" was a turning point for the franchise. Not only did Capcom move away from Sony hardware, but the series also found a new home on Nintendo systems with "Monster Hunter Tri" on Wii and later "Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate" on Wii U and 3DS. While "Tri" introduced memorable additions such as the Switch Axe and the fan-favourite Lagiacrus, many players felt it lacked some of the content that had made "Monster Hunter Freedom Unite" so massive. "Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate" solved that problem by expanding the roster, adding more quests, and introducing useful features like cross-save support between platforms. The generation is perhaps best remembered for underwater combat, love it or hate it, it made a splash .. I hate myself.

3. “Monster Hunter Rise” (2021)

If "Monster Hunter: World" was about making the series bigger, "Monster Hunter Rise" was about making it faster. Almost every part of the experience was streamlined, from traversing the environment to jumping into combat. The introduction of Wirebugs gave hunters incredible mobility, allowing them to zip through maps and pull off flashy new attacks, while Palamutes made travelling between objectives far quicker than ever before. The result is a game that feels incredibly smooth and approachable. Not every change was universally loved, however. Monsters are revealed immediately, removing much of the tracking and preparation that defined older entries. Combined with powerful Silkbind abilities, hunts often move at a breakneck pace. While some players miss the slower, more methodical style. And SOMEHOW I’m the only person who defends Monster Hunter 1... That s**t is slow as hell.

2. “Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate” (2014)

Unlike several other entries in the franchise, western players received "Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate" as a complete package right from the start. Since the original Japanese release of "Monster Hunter 4" never came overseas, players in North America and Europe jumped straight into the expanded G-Rank version, which meant they got the best possible version on day one, finally. The game introduced more vertical environments, expanded movement options, and new combat mechanics that made hunts feel far more dynamic than before. Climbing terrain, launching aerial attacks, and navigating complex maps added a new layer of strategy that would later influence both "Monster Hunter: World" and "Monster Hunter Rise". It also featured excellent DLC content, memorable Nintendo crossover events, and, perhaps most importantly, portable online multiplayer. For many western fans, this was the game that transformed "Monster Hunter" from a solo time, into a social obsession.

1. “Monster Hunter World” (2018)

For many players, "Monster Hunter: World" paired with its massive "Iceborne" expansion remains the game that pushed the series from niche favourite to global giant. The biggest change was how seamless everything felt. Gone were the segmented maps and constant loading screens, replaced by sprawling environments packed with wildlife, shortcuts, hazards, and hidden details. Hunting also became more engaging, with players tracking monsters through footprints and environmental clues rather than wandering around hoping for the best. Combat was smoother, gathering resources was less tedious, and nearly every system felt more approachable. The launch version wasn't perfect, suffering from a limited endgame and a smaller monster roster than some older entries. However, "Iceborne" addressed many of those complaints, transforming an already excellent game into one of the most influential and successful releases in Capcom's history.