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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 June 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 FAQ-only—not extra story rows.

  • 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

    Dante vs Mundus in the demon tower—origin of stylish combat.

    Overview
    Hideki Kamiya's character-action template—ranked stylish combat spun off from Resident Evil 4 concepts.
    In-game setting
    Story midpoint in saga order—after DMC 3, before 4.
    Should you play it?
    Still playable via HD Collection on modern consoles and PC.
    Release date
    US PS2 launch October 17, 2001. HD remaster in Devil May Cry HD Collection.
  2. Devil May Cry 2

    Devil May Cry 2

    PS2ActionMainline

    Dante in a gloomier city—Lucia co-protagonist.

    Overview
    Rushed sequel with toned-down difficulty and darker tone—divisive among fans.
    In-game setting
    Story furthest in the future—usually played last on Story order.
    Should you play it?
    Optional skip—many guides place it after DMC 5 or omit it.
    Release date
    US PS2 launch January 28, 2003.
  3. Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening

    Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening

    PS2ActionMainlinePrequel

    Young Dante and Vergil at Temen-ni-gru—series prequel.

    Overview
    Style switch on the fly, Vergil rivalry, and difficulty that defined modern DMC.
    In-game setting
    First on Story chronology—Dante and Vergil's origin clash.
    Should you play it?
    Best classic starting point for story order.
    Release date
    US PS2 launch March 3, 2005. Special Edition added Vergil playable.
  4. Devil May Cry 4

    Devil May Cry 4

    PS3Xbox 360PCActionMainline

    Nero in Fortuna—Devil Bringer arm and Dante as rival.

    Overview
    PS3/X360 debut—Nero's mechanics and larger environments.
    In-game setting
    Story after DMC 1—required before Devil May Cry 5.
    Should you play it?
    Essential for Nero/Vergil plot in DMC 5.
    Release date
    US launch February 5, 2008.
  5. DmC: Devil May Cry

    DmC: Devil May Cry

    PS3Xbox 360PCActionReboot

    Ninja Theory reboot—young Dante in Limbo City.

    Overview
    Alternate universe reimagining—not Capcom mainline canon.
    In-game setting
    Definitive Edition (2015) on PS4/XOne/PC—FAQ only.
    Should you play it?
    Optional—no story link to DMC 5.
    Release date
    US launch January 15, 2013.
  6. Devil May Cry 5

    Devil May Cry 5

    PS4Xbox OnePCActionMainline

    Dante, Nero, and V—Qliphoth tree in Red Grave City.

    Overview
    RE Engine visuals—three playable characters and concert-set presentation.
    In-game setting
    Direct sequel to DMC 4 in main canon—before DMC 2 on Story order.
    Should you play it?
    Current mainline endpoint as of June 2026.
    Release date
    US launch March 8, 2019. Special Edition (2021) added Vergil—FAQ.

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 rows.

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 row only; no Story row. 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.