All ‘Devil May Cry’ Games in Chronological Order
If you’re into fast-paced action and demon-slaying chaos, the ‘Devil May Cry’ series is probably on your radar. It’s a wild ride that mixes stylish combat with a story about Dante, a half-demon hero taking on all kinds of hellish foes. For anyone wanting to dive in, knowing the order of the games can be a bit tricky—do you go by release date or the chronological tale? I’ve got you covered with a breakdown that sorts it all out, so you can jump into this epic saga the way that suits you best.
This franchise kicked off over two decades ago and has grown into a big deal in gaming. It’s not just about hacking and slashing—it’s got a timeline that jumps around, making it fun to piece together. Whether you’re new or revisiting, understanding how many games there are and where they fit is key. Let’s get into it and explore both the release history and the story’s chronological flow, so you can play or replay these classics with confidence.
How Many Devil May Cry Games Are There?
Right now, we’ve got five main ‘Devil May Cry’ games that make up the core series. That’s not counting the reboot, ‘DmC: Devil May Cry,’ which stands apart in its own universe. There’s also a pile of side stuff like novels, manga, and an anime, but for this article, I’m sticking to the main games. Five is the magic number for the central storyline, and each one brings something fresh to Dante’s demon-hunting adventures.
Devil May Cry Games in Order by Release Date
The series didn’t roll out in story order, so if you want to experience it as it hit the shelves, here’s how it started. The first game dropped back in 2001, and from there, it’s been a steady stream of action-packed releases. Below, I’ve listed them by their debut dates—perfect if you want to feel the evolution of the gameplay and graphics firsthand.
- ‘Devil May Cry’ – August 23, 2001
- ‘Devil May Cry 2’ – January 25, 2003
- ‘Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening’ – February 17, 2005
- ‘Devil May Cry 4’ – January 31, 2008
- ‘Devil May Cry 5’ – March 8, 2019
Devil May Cry Games in Chronological Order
Now, if you’re after the story as it unfolds in Dante’s world, chronological order is the way to go. The timeline bounces around, starting with a prequel and weaving through his life as a demon hunter. The reboot doesn’t fit here—it’s a separate thing—so I’m focusing on the main five. Let’s break it down game by game, with a look at what each one’s about and where it sits in the saga.
‘Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening’
This one’s where it all begins. Released in 2005, ‘Devil May Cry 3: Dante’s Awakening’ throws us into a young Dante’s life. He’s brash, cocky, and just starting out as a demon hunter. The game pits him against his twin brother Vergil, who’s got a wild plan to merge the human and demon worlds by climbing a massive tower full of nasty creatures.
Chronologically, this is ground zero for the series. It’s set years before the original game, showing us Dante before he’s the cool, seasoned fighter we know later. His showdown with Vergil sets up their rocky family ties and kicks off the whole demon-slaying journey.
‘Devil May Cry’
Next up is the one that started it all in 2001—‘Devil May Cry.’ Dante’s a bit older here, running his own shop and taking on odd jobs. A mysterious woman named Trish lures him to an island where the demon emperor Mundus is making a comeback. It’s all about revenge for Dante, since Mundus took out his mom and messed up his family.
In the timeline, this slots in after ‘Devil May Cry 3.’ It’s maybe a decade later, with Dante more sure of himself and his skills. The game builds on his past, tying back to that Vergil clash and showing how he’s grown into the wise-cracking hero we love.
‘Devil May Cry 2’
Then we’ve got ‘Devil May Cry 2,’ hitting shelves in 2003. Dante teams up with a new face, Lucia, to stop a businessman from waking up an ancient demon called Argosax. It’s got a darker, quieter Dante this time, and the action takes place across a sprawling city and some eerie locales.
Story-wise, this comes after ‘Devil May Cry.’ It’s a bit further down the line, with Dante more experienced but also more distant. After this, he ends up riding off into the underworld, which caused some confusion until later games sorted out the order.
‘Devil May Cry 4’
Fast forward to 2008, and ‘Devil May Cry 4’ introduces Nero, a new hotshot demon hunter. He’s got a cool arm called the Devil Bringer and starts off chasing Dante, who’s accused of killing a holy leader. They eventually team up to take down a cult with big, bad plans.
This fits after ‘Devil May Cry 2’ in the timeline. Dante’s back from his underworld trip—how he got out isn’t clear—and he’s older, wiser, and sporting a rugged look. Nero’s ties to Dante’s family start to peek through, setting up more reveals later.
‘Devil May Cry 5’
Finally, ‘Devil May Cry 5’ landed in 2019. It’s a big reunion—Dante, Nero, and a new guy, V, tackle a demon king named Urizen who’s sprouting a giant tree in Red Grave City. The combat’s slick, and the stakes are sky-high as family secrets unravel.
This is the last stop so far, happening years after ‘Devil May Cry 4.’ Dante’s in his 40s now, and Nero’s stepping up big time. It wraps up a lot of threads, like Vergil’s return, and leaves Dante and his brother stuck in the underworld again—until the next adventure, maybe!