Monster Hunter Wilds is one of the most anticipated games of 2025, and with good reason. The previous two games in the series, 2018’s Monster Hunter World and 2021’s Monster Hunter Rise, were acclaimed by critics and audiences, and both broke sales records, with World still ranked as Capcom’s second-best-selling game of all time at over 26 million copies sold.
However, Monster Hunter has been around for a long time, and there were many games before World and Rise ushered in a new era for the franchise. While the franchise was already mega-popular in Japan pre-World, Monster Hunter had more of a cult following in North America. But the games have always been good.
Fans curious to try out some of those older titles can grab several classic Monster Hunter cartridges for around retail price on Nintendo Switch and 3DS right now–and the best place to start is with Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate. You can grab the Switch version for just $10 via the eShop (normally $40), and those who prefer buying physical media can snag a copy for $43.54 at Amazon. Generations Ultimate is out of print now, so physical edition prices fluctuate regularly. You can think of Generations Ultimate as a greatest hits album, as it compiles a staggering number of monsters and locales from the franchise’s history until World. If you only want one old Monster Hunter game, Generations Ultimate is the ideal pick.
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate for Nintendo Switch
Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is seen as the last entry in the series to feature the “old Monster Hunter” gameplay–and all the jank and charm that came with it. Originally released on 3DS as Monster Hunter X in Japan in 2015, the 2016 localization included the Generations rebranding. Capcom significantly expanded the adventure for the game’s 2018 release on Switch as Generations Ultimate. The game’s 3DS origins and hardcore classic Monster Hunter design will be evident to players who started with World or Rise. However, Generations Ultimate offers a much more approachable take on the formula compared to previous entries, featuring small quality-of-life tweaks and faster, more varied combat.
Despite its original incarnation being nearly a decade old, Generations Ultimate still reigns as the Monster Hunter game with the most stuff to do (and most monsters to hunt). Seriously, it’s packed with content. It has hundreds of quests and almost every monster, map, and town hub from all previous games. There are over 90 large monsters to hunt, including a few new ones.
World and Rise turned Monster Hunter into a multi-platform franchise, but Generations Ultimate remains a Switch exclusive. If you want to play it but don’t have a Switch, you can save on the Nintendo Switch OLED as well as the handheld-only Switch Lite at Amazon.
And now, let’s jump back another generation to hunt monsters rendered in stereoscopic 3D.
Monster Hunter Games for Nintendo 3DS
Monster Hunter games used to launch in two versions–a base game, followed a year or so later by an expanded “Ultimate” version that included new monsters, armor, hunting ranks, and more. Kind of like old-school Pokemon. Capcom typically skipped the base game in North America, opting to only release the upgraded version in English. While Generations Ultimate is the better of the two, Generations is still reasonably priced for $45.59 new at Amazon, and worth picking up if you don’t have a Switch and want to dust off your trusty 3DS or 2DS.
Quick note about playing Monster Hunter on 3DS: With the Switch eShop closed, physical editions could continue to climb in price as we inch closer to the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds. Also, Monster Hunter plays best on the New Nintendo 3DS XL or 2DS XL due to the addition of the C-stick, the quirky little second “analog stick” that looks like a pencil eraser. If you don’t have a New model, there is an accessory that adds a second Circle Pad to your 3DS or 3DS XL. Unfortunately, the Circle Pad Pro is hard to find for a reasonable price these days, unless you happen to have a Japanese Nintendo 3DS LL (the XL’s name in Japan).
Generations wasn’t the only traditional Monster Hunter game to release on 3DS. During its lifecycle, the 3DS was the sole home of the franchise. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate released in North America in 2013, and it was followed by Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate in 2015.
While these games have less overall content than Generation Ultimate, they offer an even more authentic “classic Monster Hunter” experience. Both are highly regarded by long-time fans, particularly 4 Ultimate, which landed a high slot on GameSpot’s Monster Hunter series rankings list.
If you want to play these games but don’t have a 3DS, it’s worth noting there are plenty of 3DS and 3DS XL handhelds available at Amazon via its Renewed program. Though video game consoles and handhelds tend to cost a bit more on Amazon compared to eBay or Facebook Marketplace, you get the added benefit of Amazon’s 90-day guarantee. If the product doesn’t live up to expectations, you can return it for a full refund.
For those who are entirely new to the series, Monster Hunter World and Rise–and their giant expansions–are still the best places for new players to start with the series before Wilds comes out. Physical copies for all these games are available at Amazon. You can also pick up copies of the turn-based RPG spinoff, Monster Hunter Stories and Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin in a discounted collection on Switch. It’s also worth mentioning that the official Monster Hunter Amiibo figures that Nintendo launched for Monster Hunter Rise and Monster Hunter Stories 2 are still available at Amazon and GameStop. Several discounted Monster Hunter art books and new figure preorders are also available at Amazon.
And let’s not forget that the next game, Monster Hunter Wilds, launches February 28 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Based on the latest previews, it seems like it could be the perfect jumping-on point for newcomers–so fret not if the older titles are too intimidating. Preorders are available now, and you can get your copy of the game with a limited-edition steelbook case for only five bucks more.
If you game on PC, you can save 18% on your Monster Hunter Wilds preorder at Fanatical. The digital storefront is selling Steam keys for Monster Hunter Wilds’ standard, Deluxe, and Premium Deluxe editions at this discount. The deal drops the price of the standard edition to only $57.39.
Disclosure: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom.
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