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Release & story order

Devil May Cry timeline

Devil May Cry from the 2001 PS2 original through Devil May Cry 5 (2019)—US release dates, Dante and Vergil's in-universe chronology (DMC 3 first, DMC 2 last), and FAQ for DmC reboot, HD Collection, and Special Edition.

Updated August 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When Capcom shipped each action chapter—Devil May Cry (2001) through Devil May Cry 5 (2019), with DmC: Devil May Cry (2013) as Ninja Theory's reboot and Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition (2015) as an expanded re-release. HD Collection bundles are optional—not separate must-play titles.

  • Newcomers → Devil May Cry 5 or HD Collection (DMC 3)—modern action either way
  • Story-first → DMC 3 → DMC 1 → DMC 4 → DMC 5 → DMC 2 (optional skip 2)
  • Release history → 2001 → 2003 → 2005 → 2008 → 2013 DmC → 2019
  • Skip DmC unless you want the reboot—no impact on DMC 5 canon
Story order tips

One main Capcom continuity: Devil May Cry 3 (Dante's youth) → Devil May Cry → Devil May Cry 4 (Nero) → Devil May Cry 5 → Devil May Cry 2 (furthest future). Release order shuffled that—Capcom shipped DMC 2 before 3 and 4. DmC is a separate reboot universe.

  • Core saga: Devil May Cry 3 → 1 → 4 → 5; Devil May Cry 2 last or skip
  • Devil May Cry 5 continues Nero's arc from 4—play 4 before 5
  • Vergil's path: born in 3's backstory; central again in 5
  • On Story order, later entries may be hidden—reveal when ready or use Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Devil May Cry

    Devil May Cry

    PS2ActionMainline

    Devil May Cry (2001) invents stylish character action—Dante vs Mundus in Mallet Island gothic spectacle. Release tab year here is 2001.

    Overview
    Dodge-to-style rankings and gun-melee spectacle that influenced a genre (including Bayonetta). Sequel debates still measure new games against what Devil May Cry established.
    In-game setting
    Release opener; Story order after DMC 3 prequel. HD Collections keep it playable.
    Should you play it?
    Classic entry. Story players should finish DMC 3 first. Pair Devil May Cry with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    Release date
    US PS2 October 16, 2001. Platforms called out for this beat: PS2.
  2. Devil May Cry 2

    Devil May Cry 2

    PS2ActionMainline

    Devil May Cry 2 is the divisive Lucia co-lead entry—often placed last in chronology as a far-future outing. Release tab year here is 2003.

    Overview
    Aerial gunplay focus; lighter enemy pushback than peers. Sequel debates still measure new games against what Devil May Cry 2 established.
    In-game setting
    Release second; Story order usually last among numbered classics. Continuity with Devil May Cry 2 is easiest if you play neighboring required titles first.
    Should you play it?
    Optional for style fans; skip on a first lore pass after 3→1→4→5. Pair Devil May Cry 2 with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    Release date
    US PS2 January 25, 2003. Platforms called out for this beat: PS2.
  3. Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening

    Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening

    PS2ActionMainlinePrequel

    Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening is the teenage Dante/Vergil tower war—series high point and story prequel. Release tab year here is 2005.

    Overview
    Style switching, Taunt, and boss rush reputation that rescued the brand after DMC2. Sequel debates still measure new games against what Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening established.
    In-game setting
    Story-order start. Special Edition adds Vergil campaign—FAQ.
    Should you play it?
    Best starting point for story and action craft. Next Story: DMC 1. Pair Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    Release date
    US PS2 March 1, 2005; later HD/Switch ports. Platforms called out for this beat: PS2.
  4. Devil May Cry 4

    Devil May Cry 4

    PS3Xbox 360PCActionMainline

    Devil May Cry 4 splits campaign between Nero and Dante against the Order of the Sword. Release tab year here is 2008.

    Overview
    Snatch/Exceed gun-melee toys and stylish co-lead structure. Sequel debates still measure new games against what Devil May Cry 4 established.
    In-game setting
    Story after DMC 1, before DMC 5. Special Edition adds extra modes.
    Should you play it?
    Required bridge into DMC 5's Nero/Vergil payoffs. Pair Devil May Cry 4 with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    Release date
    US January 31, 2008 (PS3/360); PC later; Special Edition 2015. Platforms called out for this beat: PS3, Xbox 360, PC.
  5. DmC: Devil May Cry

    DmC: Devil May Cry

    PS3Xbox 360PCActionReboot

    DmC: Devil May Cry (2013) is Ninja Theory's reboot—alternate Dante, not mainline Capcom chronology. Release tab year here is 2013.

    Overview
    Aggressive angle-grinder aesthetic and tighter hack-and-slash arenas. Sequel debates still measure new games against what DmC: Devil May Cry established.
    In-game setting
    Release-only reboot—absent from main Story order on this page.
    Should you play it?
    Optional curiosity; skip for classic Dante continuity (3→1→4→5). Pair DmC: Devil May Cry with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    Release date
    US January 15, 2013; Definitive Edition later. Platforms called out for this beat: PS3, Xbox 360, PC.
  6. Devil May Cry 5

    Devil May Cry 5

    PS4Xbox OnePCActionMainline

    Devil May Cry 5 reunites Nero, Dante, and V against Urizen—modern peak of Capcom stylish action. Release tab year here is 2019.

    Overview
    Three-campaign structure, incredible enemy directors, and Special Edition Vergil.
    In-game setting
    Story after DMC 4. Current mainline endpoint (DMC2 still later chronologically for some guides).
    Should you play it?
    Play 3→1→4→5. Cousins: Bayonetta, God of War, Castlevania. Pair Devil May Cry 5 with startHere guidance before optional side titles.
    Release date
    US March 8, 2019; Special Edition on next-gen. Platforms called out for this beat: PS4, Xbox One, PC.

FAQ

Release vs story order, DMC 2 placement, DmC reboot universe, HD bundles, and where to start.

Release order

Release order is when Capcom launched each game in the US (2001–2019)—Devil May Cry 2 shipped before the prequel Devil May Cry 3. Story order follows Dante's timeline: Devil May Cry 3 → Devil May Cry → Devil May Cry 4 → Devil May Cry 5 → Devil May Cry 2 (far future). DmC: Devil May Cry is a 2013 reboot—not on story-order titles.

Modern action first → Devil May Cry 5 (then backtrack to 4 if you care about Nero). Story purist → Devil May Cry HD Collection starting with Devil May Cry 3. Release historian → 2001 original through 2019. Skip Devil May Cry 2 until the end unless you want every numbered entry.

Story & canon

Capcom mainline saga most fans use: Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening → Devil May Cry → Devil May Cry 4 → Devil May Cry 5 → Devil May Cry 2. That matches Dante aging and Nero's arc through 5. Devil May Cry 2 is set farthest ahead—hence last despite shipping second.

Devil May Cry 2 released early (2003) with a darker, rushed feel and Dante seemingly older than in later games. Capcom backfilled lore with DMC 3 (prequel) and expanded Nero in 4/5. Most community lists put DMC 2 last in fiction or skip it—it barely connects to 4/5. Playing 2 after 5 avoids early confusion.

DmC (2013) is Ninja Theory's reboot in an alternate universe—not Capcom mainline canon. release-order titles only; no separate must-play titles. It does not lead into Devil May Cry 5. Play it as a standalone reimagining if you like the combat; skip it for Dante/Vergil/Nero continuity.

Remasters & editions

Optional & spin-offs

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.