Monster Hunter (series)

Monster Hunter is a action series developed by Capcom. Originally on Playstation systems, the series found a home on Nintendo systems starting with Monster Hunter Tri. Nintendo helped promote the game and even helped with publishing the games in PAL regions. The series has a high focus on co-operative play to hunt the monster and gain gear.

Core Elements
The main elements that stay throughout the series are that players, using a certain weapon type, go out and hunt monsters usually in parties of up to 4. The monster species tend to change between entries but they are all usually giant creatures that are deadly. If the player lacks partners, they get animal partners. There is also a constant map for each game. Regardless of the monster, they will spawn somewhere on this map after taking the appropriate quest. This is so players learn the map and use it for their advantage when taking on the tougher monsters.

Main Entries
There are in total 4 main entries plus expansions though only the later 2 and a remake of the first were on Nintendo system. Monster Hunter G is a remake of the first game for the Wii. It included a demo for Tri.

Monster Hunter Tri is the 3rd entry in the series and the first on Nintendo platforms. The 3DS and Wii U got an expanded version called Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate.

The fourth entry in the series was Monster Hunter 4 on the 3DS. It abandoned the swimming mechanics in favor of more vertical elements and climbing. While only Asia got the original version, the West did eventually get the game as Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. The game was heavily promoted alongside the New 3DS with its enhanced features from the system. This expansion also received free DLC that crossed over with various Nintendo franchises and other Capcom franchises.

Monster Hunter Frontier
The Frontier subseries is a MMO of Monster Hunter. The original was exclusive to the Xbox 360 and PC but, the G series was available on Wii U. It is only available in Asia, but the Wii U has gotten all the G expansions. The series has gotten many collaborations including one with Fire Emblem

Spin-offs
In addition to the Frontier series, Monster Hunter also has a few spin-offs.

Monster Hunter X is pretty similar to the main series in its main mechanics but, its combat is more flashy. It also crosses over the 4 main games into a single world.

Monster Hunter Stories is a role-playing game in the Monster Hunter universe where the player gets the egg instead of hunting monsters. Not much else is known at this time.

Monster Hunter Diary is another side series that focuses on the Felyne species and is developed by From Software. Monster Hunter Diary: Poka Poka Airou Village DX is the 3DS remake