Replace: Capcom’s Monster Hunter collection is celebrating its twentieth anniversary on eleventh March 2024. And to have a good time, we have determined to overtake our Finest Monster Hunter Recreation checklist right into a reader-ranked format. Meaning you possibly can affect the rating!
Not solely that, we have additionally modified the checklist to deal with Nintendo-only releases. Meaning no extra World and OG PS2 entry — merely the best Monster Hunters on Nintendo consoles.
As with all our reader-ranked lists, you possibly can change the rating of this checklist even after publication. Initially, we had Monster Hunter: Rise on the prime of the tree — the place will it fall right here? Learn on…
What’s one of the best Monster Hunter of all time? In a collection the place half of the titles have the phrase ‘Final’ mounted on the top, it may be a tough query to reply.
Capcom’s long-running collection is now 20 years outdated, beginning life on the PlayStation 2 earlier than changing into synonymous with Nintendo’s console line-up. Leaping between Sony and Nintendo consoles, the franchise has solely grown in reputation through the years, totally exploding into the mainstream with Monster Hunter: World on PS4 in 2018. That is solely grown since then, with 202’s Monster Hunter Rise
Taking down monsters alone or with your folks on-line has by no means been higher, so now’s the time to listen to which Monster Hunter recreation on a Nintendo console you assume is one of the best. As with all of our reader-ranked lists, you possibly can charge your favorite by clicking on the star subsequent to the sport and giving it a rating out of ten. And who is aware of, possibly you may change the order of the checklist!
The beneath checklist solely incorporates full video games, so we’ve not included the Sunbreak DLC for Rise individually (although you possibly can think about it as a part of Sunbreak’s entry). We have additionally omitted any Japanese-only releases similar to Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village DX — sorry to all of you followers of cute spin-offs.
So, sit by the campfire, seize some meat, and skim on to search out out which monster Hunter recreation you beautiful readers have voted as one of the best…
Monster Hunter Tales is a superb journey that channels the colorful world of Capcom’s storied collection right into a joyous JRPG that noticed a sequel come to Swap. It suffers from efficiency points on non-New 3DS {hardware}, nevertheless it’s nonetheless filled with character, superbly introduced and enjoyable to play, with fight that’s simple to understand however participating all through. Longtime MonHun followers will recognize Tales as a thoughtfully-made spin-off, however the gameplay template and tone are so completely different that you just don’t should be accustomed to — and even get pleasure from! — mainline Monster Hunter to have a good time right here. No matter whether or not you’ve been searching Hornetaurs because the starting or couldn’t inform a Felyne from a Fatalis, Tales is yet one more charming 3DS RPG that’s nicely price your time.
Monster Hunter Generations is one other must-have for followers of the franchise, mixing the outdated with the brand new for a wonderful total package deal. Hunter Kinds add a little bit additional depth and tempo to fight whereas this recreation additionally tries to welcome newcomers with elective tutorials, with Prowler mode undoubtedly designed to be quirky and alluring to gamers of all types. It does some issues higher than its speedy predecessor – Monster Hunter 4 Final – but additionally a few issues rather less impressively. The nod to nostalgia brings numerous places and quests to maintain gamers busy, however loses a little bit of the narrative edge and focus of its predecessor. This franchise is among the most pleasurable and immersive time-sinks to be discovered on Nintendo {hardware}. For any gamer prepared for a long-term problem, with powerful battles and loads of complexity to grasp, that is most definitely price searching down.
As its title appropriately advised, Monster Hunter 3 Final took the already distinctive Wii title and added a frightening quantity of recent content material and HD sheen. It is not a recreation for everybody, and unsuspecting gamers might have had a nasty shock on the stage of dedication and talent the sport calls for.
That is nothing new within the Monster Hunter collection, although. Assuming you had been as much as the duty, MH3U on Wii U was onerous to place down. Some components felt a little bit phoned-in (some ugly clipping, poor textures and the 3DS contact display ratio on the GamePad, for instance), but they had been minor blemishes on a powerful package deal. Those who missed Monster Hunter Tri the primary time spherical had a wonderful alternative to atone for Wii U, and veterans received the possibility to improve to the massive display.
Whereas Monster Hunter 3 Final is arguably the easiest way to play Monster Hunter Tri, the unique recreation continues to be a powerful piece of software program from Capcom. It is one thing of a slow-burn, and definitely a frightening problem if that is your first hunt, however the old-school monster searching magic is on this recreation’s DNA no matter platform. In case you have the fortitude to persevere via the primary few hours, you may discover out why this collection has solely gone from energy to energy over the previous decade.
Monster Hunter 3 Final was a wonderful interpretation of a house console expertise that allowed hunters to speculate numerous hours conquering a whole bunch of quests on the go, though with occasional moments the place its smaller dwelling wasn’t completely optimised; the absence of on-line play was an ideal pity, too. It was an completed effort, although, and a should for followers of the franchise that could not entry the house console variations or those who merely need to at all times be capable to slay an almighty monster on the bus.
Monster Hunter Tales 2: Wings of Destroy is stuffed with allure and boasts depth that may immerse the dedicated participant or be dabbled with by these keen to easily expertise the story. As a mix of Monster Hunter with a standard RPG method it is an completed effort, and provides the kind of meaty expertise that’ll hold most gamers busy for weeks. Swap house owners might want to tolerate some disappointing efficiency, sadly, however the total expertise shines nonetheless. It is a recreation of brilliant colors and wholehearted optimism, which is at all times very welcome certainly.
Oh, and you may title your Monsties.
Monster Hunter Generations Final might lack the accessibility that made Monster Hunter: World such a smash hit, nevertheless it greater than makes up for it by being a kind of ‘biggest hits’ assortment of the excessive factors of the collection, supplying you with a whole bunch of hours of content material to play via. Couple this with the HD visuals, easy-to-use multiplayer, and the power to play the total expertise on the go, and also you’ve received a recreation that may enchantment to each veterans and newcomers alike. It might not essentially characterize the way forward for the collection, however it is a implausible expertise in its personal proper and a worthy follow-up to the 3DS authentic, and one which no Swap proprietor will need to be with out, even when collection newcomers would possibly need to begin with Rise first.
Monster Hunter: World did the enterprise on different platforms and attracted a far broader viewers than ever earlier than to a collection that already enthused a sizeable playerbase, particularly within the East. The Monster Hunter video games have at all times required a giant funding and lots of followers insist the ‘conventional’ grind and different franchise foibles are essential to the ‘genuine’ Monster Hunter expertise. Crafting objects from the big beasts you’ve taken down may be massively rewarding, and Monster Hunter 4 Final is presumably one of the best of the ‘traditional model’ — the easiest way to search out out in the event you’ve received the bug for the collection. Though Monster Hunter 4 Final works on an authentic mannequin 3DS, we’d advocate taking part in on a New 3DS for digital camera management and a greater body charge. Beautiful.
New mechanics, monsters, and a beautiful setting make Monster Hunter Rise a brand new high-water mark for the franchise. The Wirebug, Swap Expertise, Palamute, and thoroughly thought-out monsters shake issues up sufficient to make the sport really feel contemporary for hunters who’ve beforehand spent hundreds of hours with the collection, and whereas the package deal could possibly be barely intimidating for newcomers, it is arguably the best place to get began in the event you’re critical about stepping into the franchise. And, with a peerless four-player multiplayer expertise, the Rampage quests are a blast. Monster Hunter Rise is among the strongest entries into the franchise to this point, and one other stone-cold traditional for the Nintendo Swap.
The place does your favorite sit on the checklist? Are you a Generations Final fan, or does Rise take the crown? And do not forget, Nintendo Life readers can charge any recreation on the checklist and doubtlessly have an effect on the rating in real-time. Simply search out your favorite and click on on the star! then share your ideas within the feedback.