Top 10 Monster Hunter Games Revealed

For the last 20 years, Capcom's Monster Hunter series has captivated fans worldwide with its thrilling blend of strategic gameplay and intense monster battles. From its initial launch on the PlayStation 2 in 2004 to becoming a global phenomenon with Monster Hunter: World in 2018, the series has seen remarkable evolution over two decades.

Each Monster Hunter game offers a unique experience, but we've compiled a definitive ranking of all the mainline games and their major DLCs to determine the ultimate best. Note that for games with multiple versions, we've considered only the Ultimate editions in our rankings. Let's dive into the top 10:

10. Monster Hunter

Developer: Capcom Production Studio 1 | Publisher: Capcom | Release Date: September 21, 2004 (NA) | Review: IGN's Monster Hunter review

The original Monster Hunter laid the groundwork for the series that followed. Despite its challenging controls and learning curve, it introduced the core elements that define Monster Hunter: hunting colossal beasts with just a weapon and survival instincts. Initially designed to leverage online play on the PlayStation 2, its single-player mode still offers a glimpse into the series' origins, even if official servers are no longer accessible outside Japan.

9. Monster Hunter Freedom

Developer: Capcom Production Studio 1 | Publisher: Capcom | Release Date: May 23, 2006 (NA) | Review: IGN's Monster Hunter Freedom review

Monster Hunter Freedom brought the series to the PlayStation Portable, marking its first foray into handheld gaming. An enhanced version of Monster Hunter G, it introduced significant quality-of-life improvements and made cooperative play accessible on the go. While it may have clunky controls and a problematic camera, Freedom was pivotal in expanding the series' reach and shaping its future on handheld devices.

8. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite

Developer: Capcom Production Studio 1 | Publisher: Capcom | Release Date: June 22, 2009 (NA) | Review: IGN's Monster Hunter Freedom Unite review

An expansion of Monster Hunter Freedom 2, Freedom Unite was the largest game in the series at its release. It introduced iconic monsters like Nargacuga and the beloved Felyne companions. Despite its challenges, the game's extensive content and enjoyable companions made it a standout title in the franchise's early years.

7. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate

Developer: Capcom Production Studio 1 | Publisher: Capcom | Release Date: March 19, 2013 (NA) | Review: IGN's Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate review

Built on the foundation of Monster Hunter Tri, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate refined the story and difficulty curve, adding new monsters and quests. It reintroduced popular weapons like the Hunting Horn and Bow, and introduced underwater combat, adding variety to the gameplay. Despite some camera issues, it remains the definitive Monster Hunter 3 experience.

6. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate

Developer: Capcom Production Studio 1 | Publisher: Capcom | Release Date: February 13, 2015 (NA) | Review: IGN's Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate review

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate marked a significant shift by introducing dedicated online multiplayer to handheld consoles. With the addition of Apex Monsters and vertical movement, the game offered new challenges and expanded the series' gameplay dynamics. It was a pivotal moment, though not yet the pinnacle of the series.

5. Monster Hunter Rise

Developer: Capcom | Publisher: Capcom | Release Date: March 26, 2021 | Review: IGN's Monster Hunter Rise review

Monster Hunter Rise returned the series to handhelds, refining the larger-scale elements from Monster Hunter: World for a more streamlined experience on the Nintendo Switch. The introduction of Palamutes and the Wirebug mechanic added new layers of mobility and combat, making Rise one of the best handheld Monster Hunter experiences.

4. Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak

Developer: Capcom | Publisher: Capcom | Release Date: June 30, 2022 | Review: IGN's Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak review

Sunbreak expanded upon Rise with a new location, the Citadel, and introduced new monsters and a refined weapons system. Its gothic horror-inspired setting and challenging endgame content, highlighted by the battle against Malzeno, made it an exceptional addition to the series.

3. Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate

Developer: Capcom | Publisher: Capcom | Release Date: August 28, 2018 | Review: IGN's Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate review

A celebration of the series' history, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate offered an extensive roster of monsters and the innovative Hunter Styles system, which allowed for diverse combat approaches. It was a testament to the series' evolution and a joy for both veterans and newcomers.

2. Monster Hunter World: Iceborne

Developer: Capcom | Publisher: Capcom | Release Date: September 6, 2019 | Review: IGN's Monster Hunter World: Iceborne review

Following the success of Monster Hunter: World, Iceborne expanded the game with a new campaign and introduced the Guiding Lands. Its new monsters, like Savage Deviljho and Fatalis, became fan favorites, making it feel like a full sequel rather than just an expansion.

1. Monster Hunter: World

Developer: Capcom | Publisher: Capcom | Release Date: January 26, 2018 | Review: IGN's Monster Hunter: World review

Monster Hunter: World brought the series to consoles with unprecedented success, introducing larger open zones and a vibrant ecosystem. Its breathtaking environments and engaging story, enhanced by high-quality cutscenes, made it a landmark game in the series and a must-play for both fans and newcomers.

That's our ranking of the 10 best Monster Hunter games of all time. Which ones have you played, and which do you think are the best? Tell us your ranking in the Tier List above. Will you be preparing to hunt again with the release of Monster Hunter Wilds? Let us know in the comments.