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00:04Welcome to MojoPlays, and today we're ranking a series that has surprisingly more entries than
00:09you realized. There's a few smaller spin-offs we're missing and we're combining some entries
00:12that are essentially the same game, but for all intents and purposes, this is every Monster
00:17Hunter game ranked. Let's go. Before we continue, we publish content all week long, so be sure to
00:22subscribe and ring the bell to get notified of our latest videos. Monster Hunter 2.
00:36Looking back, Monster Hunter DOS, DOS, or Monster Hunter 2 for the layman, feels a bit like a
00:42series mad scientist phase. The game wasn't afraid to experiment, introducing features that made the
00:47world feel more dynamic and believable, including seasonal changes and systems designed to make
00:51hunting seem like part of a living ecosystem. On paper, many of these ideas were impressive. In
00:59game often demanded more patience from players than later entries, with mechanics that felt clunky or
01:04overly complicated by modern standards. Because it never saw a full western release, much of its
01:09reputation comes from dedicated import players and long-time fans. As a result, DOS is often praised for
01:15its ambition and influence, even if people would call it the hardest way to experience the series
01:20overall. At first glance, Monster Hunter Stories sounded like the kind of spin-off that shouldn't
01:40work. Instead of hunting giant creatures, players were suddenly collecting, raising, and battling
01:45alongside them in a colourful RPG adventure. It would have been easy for the game to feel like
01:49it was simply borrowing ideas from Pokemon, but it managed to carve out its own identity,
01:53even if I did technically put it on a Pokemon rip-offs list. Oops. Critics responded positively,
01:57and many players appreciated seeing a different side of the Monster Hunter universe. The focus
02:01shifted towards storytelling, monster bonding, and turn-based battles, while still keeping familiar
02:06elements such as gear progression, egg collecting, and elemental strengths and weaknesses.
02:10Strength. I said that weird. Classics with a twist, like spaghetti carbonara, but made like lasagna.
02:20Monster Hunter Portable Third
02:26Few games in the series generate as many frustrated we should have got these conversations
02:30as Monster Hunter Portable Third. While western players largely had to admire it from afar,
02:35the game became a massive success in Japan, moving millions of copies and turning into one of the
02:40PSP's biggest hits. The PSP, you guys. My favourite handheld, and I just had to sit there,
02:45Monster Hunter Portable Thirdless. It built upon the portable formula established by earlier entries,
02:51polishing mechanics, adding memorable monsters, and delivering an experience many fans still look
02:55back on fondly. Not me. Over the years, import guides, fan translations, and online communities
03:01help spread its reputation far beyond Japan. The reason it doesn't rank even higher is mostly a
03:06matter of influence and accessibility. Well, accessibility, really.
03:15Monster Hunter Frontier
03:21Trying to place Monster Hunter Frontier in a ranking is a bit like trying to rank a theme park that
03:25kept
03:26adding new rides for over a decade. During its long lifespan, the game accumulated an enormous
03:31amount of content, introducing monsters, mechanics, and difficulty spikes that often pushed far beyond
03:35what the main series attempted. This also included a global release after three years called Monster
03:40Hunter Frontier G. For some players, that made it one of the most exciting entries ever created.
03:46For other players, it became overloaded with systems grind and the usual frustrations that come
03:49with live-service games. Since the servers shut down in 2019, Frontier has taken an almost legendary
03:55status among fans. Opinions remain divided, but it definitely wasn't boring. Messy at times? Absolutely.
04:02Memorable and influential? Check my online stats.
04:10Monster Hunter
04:23It's easy to forget that the first Monster Hunter wasn't an instant phenomenon. When it launched on
04:28the PlayStation 2, many players simply didn't know what to make of it. The core formula was already
04:32there, except quests from a village, track down giant monsters, carve materials from their remains,
04:37then used those resources to craft stronger gear before heading out again. Today, that loop is the
04:42heart of the franchise, but back then it felt unusual and at times frustrating. Combat was slow
04:47and deliberate. Inventory management could be a chore, and crafting often demanded a level of patience
04:52many players weren't expecting. Even so, those who stuck with it discovered something special hidden
04:57beneath the rough edges. It still remains my favorite Monster Hunter of all time. Once a year, I blow the
05:03dust
05:03off my PS2 and relive a simple version of an amazing series. It's nowhere near the best,
05:08but it holds a place in fans' hearts that's hard to shake.
05:22Monster Hunter Freedom 2, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
05:31While Monster Hunter Freedom 2 was an important step forward for the series, many fans would argue
05:36that Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is where things truly exploded. Freedom 2 brought the Japan-only
05:41Monster Hunter 2 experience to Western audiences, refining the portable formula while introducing
05:45iconic monsters like Tigrex and several weapon classes that remain series' staples today,
05:51including the Longsword and Gunlance. Then Capcom followed it up with Freedom Unite,
05:55a massive expansion, packed with extra content, tougher challenges, and the introduction
05:59of G-Rank, now known as Master Rank. The addition of Palico Companions, or Palico Companions,
06:05has anybody ever actually worked out how to say that? This made solo play far more manageable.
06:10It was bigger, faster, and more polished than its predecessors. The only downside was that it
06:14established Capcom's habit of releasing an expanded version shortly after the original.
06:19It's kind of like getting dinner at 7pm and the chef saying, yeah, you can have the porterhouse,
06:23but we're actually putting a better porterhouse on the menu in two hours. Can you wait?
06:31Monster Hunter Stories 2 Wings of Ruin
06:39Instead of focusing on hunters carving up giant monsters for new boots, Monster Hunter Stories 2
06:43Wings of Ruin takes the series in a completely different direction. Players become riders,
06:48forming friendships with creatures known as monsties, which is admittedly a name that sounds
06:52much better once you stop fighting it. Unlike its predecessor, which some fans felt leaned a little
06:57too heavily into a younger audience, there's got to be a better way to phrase that, the sequel
07:01strikes a much better balance. The colourful art style gives the world plenty of charm, while the
07:05expanded monster roster helps it feel closely connected to the main series. Combat swaps real-time
07:10action for strategic turn-based systems built around predicting attacks and exploiting weaknesses.
07:14It's an excellent spin-off and an excellent game.
07:23Monster Hunter Stories 3 Twisted Reflections
07:34Back-to-back stories, our latest Monster Hunter entry, and Monster Hunter Stories 3 takes a
07:40noticeably more dramatic approach from other stories entries.
07:43The plot centres around the mysterious crystal encroachment, a crisis that creates tension
07:48throughout the world and gives the protagonist a much more personal reason to get involved.
07:52As a result, the narrative carries a little more weight than previous stories games, making
07:56it easier to become invested in the journey. Beyond the plot, the game also improves several
08:00key systems. Riding monsters feel smoother, exploration is more enjoyable, and combat offers greater depth
08:05to expanded upgrade options and battle mechanics. Combined with a strong cast of companions
08:10and impressive visuals, it feels like a natural evolution of the formula, and one of the strongest
08:14entries in the spin-off series.
08:18Okay.
08:22Monster Hunter Generations
08:32Rather than reinventing the wheel, Monster Hunter Generations decided to throw a giant
08:37party celebrating everything that came before it. The game pulls together a huge collection of
08:41monsters, locations, and ideas from across the franchise, while introducing hunter styles
08:45and hunter arts to dramatically change how each weapon could be played. Suddenly, familiar weapons felt
08:51fresh again, giving players far more freedom to experiment with different approaches. Critics
08:55responded positively, and fans were generally just as enthusiastic. The only real drawback
09:00was that the game sometimes felt more like a collection of highlights than a carefully structured
09:04journey. There was always something to do, but the experience could occasionally feel a little
09:08scattered. But it's Monster Hunter, there's talking cats, so who gives a f**k?
09:12F**k me, people.
09:16Monster Hunter Freedom
09:17Monster Hunter Freedom
09:26At first glance, Monster Hunter Freedom might look like little more than a portable version
09:30of the original game, but its impact on the series was far bigger than that description suggests.
09:34By bringing Monster Hunter to the PSP, Capcom accidentally stumbled upon a formula that would help turn the
09:40franchise into a phenomenon in Japan. The handheld's ADHawk multiplayer made gathering with friends for
09:46hunting sessions really, really easy, and the series quickly found a passionate audience. Western
09:50players had a different experience. Many were forced to tackle the game's demanding quests alone,
09:55which made the grinding and difficulty much more noticeable. The PSP controls didn't help either,
10:00with the infamous Monster Hunter Claw becoming a rite of passage for dedicated players. I was not a
10:05dedicated player. Still enjoyed it though.
10:17Monster Hunter Wilds
10:27After more than two decades of refining the formula, Monster Hunter Wilds feels like the point where
10:31everything finally clicks into place. Building on the seamless world design introduced in recent
10:36entries, it creates larger and more dynamic environments that feel genuinely alive. The
10:41integration of base camps directly into the world removes another layer of loading screens and helps
10:45make exploration much more natural, while the Monster roster is equally impressive, blending
10:50memorable newcomers with fan-favorite returning beasts. Combat is arguably the strongest it's ever been,
10:55with all 14 weapon types feeling smooth, responsive, and packed with useful options. All this said,
11:01Monster Hunter Wilds is one of the messiest entries to rank. Critics loved it at launch, while public
11:06opinion was a little more complicated. Even Steam's current overall response is mixed, and large waves of
11:12negative PC reviews focused on performance, crashes, optimization, and end-game frustrations. That said,
11:18underneath the technical drama, many players still praise it. Like me, but I played on the PS5.
11:26Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate
11:39If quantity alone determined rankings, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate would be fighting for the top
11:44spot. This game is absolutely overflowing with content, packing in an enormous roster of monsters,
11:50hundreds of quests, multiple hunting styles, flashy hunter arts, and even the ability to play as a palico.
11:56The dream. It's essentially a giant celebration of everything the series had built upon
12:00at that point. Critics generally enjoyed it, although some noted that it felt a little old-fashioned
12:05after the streamlined design of Monster Hunter World. Fans, however, were far more forgiving.
12:10Fans like me. I liked it. I know I probably could have ranked this one with Monster Hunter Generations as
12:14a combined entry,
12:15but you need to know one important fact. I don't wanna.
12:27Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
12:31The third generation of Monster Hunter was a turning point for the franchise. Not only did Capcom move away
12:36from the Sony hardware, but the series also found a new home on Nintendo systems with Monster Hunter
12:40Tri or Tree on Wii, and later, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on Wii U and 3DS. While Tri introduced
12:47memorable additions such as the Switch Axe and fan-favorite Legia Chris, many players felt it
12:52lacked some of the content that had made Monster Hunter Freedom Unite so massive. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
12:57solved that problem by expanding the roster, adding more quests, and introducing useful features like
13:02cross-save support between platforms. This generation is perhaps best remembered for
13:06underwater combat. Love it or hate it, it made a splash. God, I hate myself.
13:22Monster Hunter Rise
13:29If Monster Hunter World was about making the series bigger, Monster Hunter Rise was about making it
13:35faster. Almost every part of the experience is streamlined, from traversing the environment to
13:40jumping into combat. The introduction of wire bugs gave hunters incredible mobility, allowing them to
13:45zip through maps and pull off flashy new attacks, while palimutes made travelling between objectives a lot
13:50quicker. Way quicker than ever before. The result is a game that feels incredibly smooth and approachable.
13:55Not every change was universally loved, however. Monsters are revealed immediately, removing much of the
14:01tracking and preparation that defined the entries that came before it. Combined with powerful
14:06Silkbind abilities, hunts often move at breakneck pace. Some players miss the slower, more methodical style,
14:12and somehow I'm the only person who defends Monster Hunter 1. That shit's slow as hell.
14:26Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
14:35Unlike several other entries in the franchise, Western players received Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate as a
14:39complete package right from the start. Since the original Japanese release of Monster Hunter 4 never came
14:44overseas, players in North America and Europe jumped straight into the expanded G-rank version, which
14:50meant they got the best possible version on day one. Finally, the game introduced more vertical
14:54environments, expanded movement options, and new combat mechanics that made hunts feel more dynamic
14:59than before. Climbing terrain, launching aerial attacks, and navigating complex maps added a new layer
15:04of strategy that would later influence both Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise. It also featured
15:09excellent DLC content, memorable Nintendo crossover events, and, perhaps most importantly, portable online
15:16multiplayer. For many Western fans, this was the game that transformed Monster Hunter from a solo time
15:21into a social obsession.
15:34Monster Hunter World
15:42For many players, myself included, Monster Hunter World, paired with its massive Iceborne expansion,
15:47the game that pushed the series from niche favorite to global giant. The biggest change was how
15:53seamless everything felt. Gone were the segmented maps and constant loading screens, replaced by
15:58sprawling environments packed with wildlife shortcuts, hazards, and hidden details. Hunting also became way
16:04more engaging, with players tracking monsters through footprints and environmental clues, rather than
16:09wandering around hoping for the best. Combat was smoother, gathering resources was way less tedious, and nearly every
16:14system felt more approachable. The launch version wasn't perfect, suffering from a limited end game and a
16:19smaller monster roster than some older entries. However, Iceborne addressed many of those complaints,
16:24transforming an already excellent game into one of the most influential and successful releases in Capcom's history.
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