The Ultimate Monster Hunter Game Tier List: Unveiling the Top-Ranked Hunts!

Monster Hunter has a rich legacy that predates 2022's Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak. While there are numerous games that came before Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, only a few are truly worth exploring in depth.

Despite the existence of various spin-offs throughout the years, it is the mainline games and their corresponding portable versions that have always truly represented the essence of the Monster Hunter series. Nonetheless, it is important to give a nod to notable mentions like the MMO entry, Monster Hunter: Frontier, regardless of any changes made to the established formula. Throughout the five generations of the franchise, there have been several significant entries that have left a mark.

S Tier

Monster Hunter 3: Ultimate (2011) - Featuring some of the series' best iterations, Monster Hunter 3: Ultimate stands out with unforgettable moments like the intense Jhen Mohran siege and the inclusion of Brachydios and Dire Miralis. It leaves a lasting impression, regardless of the console it is played on.

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (2008) - Acting as the G-Rank expansion to Freedom 2, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite marks the end of the series' second generation. Although not the most accessible entry, it is considered legendary within the series and is notable for introducing Nargacuga for the first time.

Monster Hunter 4: Ultimate (2014) - Considered one of the most satisfying narrative experiences, Monster Hunter 4: Ultimate maintains its place in the top tier despite being exclusive to the 3DS. If this game were to be remastered for modern consoles, it has the potential to achieve even greater heights.

Monster Hunter Generations: Ultimate (2017) - Also known as XX (“Double Cross”), this game may lack conciseness but compensates with an extensive amount of content. Being available on the Nintendo Switch, Generations: Ultimate is the only title in the S Tier that can be easily purchased at present.

A Tier

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak (2022) elevates the Monster Hunter franchise to new heights. With its G-Rank expansion featuring formidable monsters like Garangolm and the flagship Malzeno, Sunbreak solidifies its position as one of the franchise's best games.

Monster Hunter 2 (2006), also known as Monster Hunter Dos, is a favorite among hardcore fans of the original entries. With its intricate survival mechanics and slower pace, it may not appeal to newer players. However, for those who appreciate the simulation side of Monster Hunter, Monster Hunter 2 is a highly satisfying experience.

Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (2010) is a fan-favorite among players of the third generation, thanks to its iconic Yukumo Village hub world and the inclusion of the formidable Zinogre. Despite its impressive presentation, the game's limited availability only in Japan and its High Rank cap prevent it from reaching its full potential.

Monster Hunter 4 (2013) marked a significant shift in the series, as it introduced a more story-driven approach with the introduction of Gore Magala's Frenzy virus. This change in style set the tone for future games in the franchise. Additionally, its G-Rank update and global release expanded the game's reach, although it remains exclusive to Japan and the 3DS.

Monster Hunter Tri (2009) introduced a fresh lineup of monsters, causing controversy as it replaced many of the older ones at that time. While some changes were met with resistance, this installment also paved the way for a more immersive storytelling experience.

In Monster Hunter Rise (2021), the game skillfully combines elements from the series' classic style with a modern, fifth-generation approach. Rise successfully avoids the drawbacks that affected World, managing to maintain its appeal despite its accessibility. It introduces exciting features such as Palamutes and the Wirebug movement mechanics.

B Tier

Monster Hunter World: Iceborne (2019) - The G-Rank expansion of World, Iceborne surpasses its base release in every aspect. With the enhanced hub world of Seliana and the inclusion of iconic figures from the classic series like Fatalis, this update to the initial fifth-generation title presents a significantly brighter outlook for the future of the franchise.

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Monster Hunter: World (2018) revolutionized the franchise by modernizing many of the less user-friendly elements that had previously defined the series. As the series moved towards a more mainstream status, long-time fans have found it difficult to forget what the highly successful Monster Hunter World left behind.

Monster Hunter Generations (2015) showcased a vast amount of content and introduced unique monsters like Narkarkos. It felt like a significant step towards perfecting the older style of Monster Hunter, although it lacked the highly anticipated G-Rank. However, without the subsequent updates, Generations remains in a peculiar position as an exclusive game for the 3DS.

C Tier

Monster Hunter Freedom (2005) - Serving as the PSP rendition of Monster Hunter G, Freedom is also referred to as Portable in Japan. While it incorporated additional features beyond the G update, there was limited room for expansion in the first generation. The introduction of farming proved significant for the series' future, although a somewhat comical creature like Yian Garuga did not greatly enhance its appeal.

Monster Hunter G (2005) - Often overlooked, Monster Hunter G was the subsequent installment to the original game, introducing G-Rank. While it may appear somewhat basic by present standards, G's inclusion of various challenging subspecies made it a remarkable PlayStation 2 title exclusive to Japan.

The original Monster Hunter (2004) is often considered one of the weakest entries in the franchise, which highlights the significant growth the series has undergone since then. However, it is important to note that the game is not necessarily bad. Compared to more recent titles such as Monster Hunter World and even Monster Hunter Dos, the first Monster Hunter is relatively straightforward and less complex.

Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak can be played on various platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.