Start with Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition if you want the strongest introduction to Dante’s story and the series’ style-based combat. It is a prequel to the original, so it introduces the Dante–Vergil relationship before the events of the first game. Choose the original Devil May Cry instead if you want to meet Dante in his first appearance and follow the games in release order. Devil May Cry 5 is a reasonable alternative if modern presentation and several distinct playable characters matter most to you.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition | Starting with Dante and Vergil’s earlier story | A prequel to the original; includes selectable, upgradable combat styles |
| Devil May Cry | Meeting Dante in his first appearance | The original game, featuring Dante’s confrontation with Mundus |
| Devil May Cry 5 | Modern presentation and multiple playable characters | Features Nero, Dante and V, each with a distinct combat style |
| Devil May Cry 4 | Trying a Nero-focused entry with beginner options | Its manual documents Human difficulty, a tutorial and an automatic-combo option |
| DmC: Devil May Cry | A separate take on Dante’s origin | A contemporary retelling, not a numbered-series prequel |
There is no official Capcom ranking that names one game as the right starting point for everyone. The practical choice is about what you want from a first visit: an earlier point in the story, the series’ original release, or a later game with contemporary presentation. For most newcomers who want one balanced starting recommendation, DMC3 Special Edition is a sensible pick; the original and DMC5 are strong alternatives for different priorities.
Should I play Devil May Cry 3 first?
Yes, if you want one game that gives you an early view of the central Dante–Vergil relationship while showing how the series uses combat styles. Capcom describes Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition as a prequel to the original and says it introduces Vergil, Dante’s twin brother.
That makes it a useful starting point for story context, but it is important to separate story order from release order. DMC3 is the earlier story; it was not the first game released. Capcom also describes selectable, upgradable styles in DMC3, giving newcomers a way to explore different approaches to combat. The publisher’s description does not establish that one style is best for beginners, so choose based on what you enjoy rather than treating any one as a required setup.
The recommendation is an editorial judgment based on those features, not an official Capcom ranking or a measured player consensus. If you would rather experience the series as its audience first encountered it, the original remains an equally defensible first game.
One useful distinction: “start with DMC3” is advice about a convenient first game, not a claim that the series’ release history begins there. If you later decide to follow release order, you can continue with the original and then DMC2. If you prefer the story relationships established here, the original is the next step supported by Capcom’s description that DMC3 precedes it.
Should I start with the original Devil May Cry?
Choose the original if your priority is Dante’s first appearance and a release-order introduction to the series. Capcom identifies it as Dante’s first appearance and describes his confrontation with Mundus.
Starting here gives you the clearest answer to “Where did this series begin?” It also means you reach DMC3 later, even though DMC3’s story precedes the original. That is not a contradiction: numbered titles and release order do not always match a series’ fictional chronology.
The practical trade-off is that this is an older entry, not a newer game being presented as a modern introduction. The available product information does not establish how its play or presentation will feel to any particular player, so if modern presentation is your deciding factor, DMC5 may be a better match than starting with the original.
There is no need to choose the original just because it is first, though. It is the right fit when Dante’s first appearance or experiencing the early release sequence matters to you. If you care more about the earlier story and the Dante–Vergil setup, DMC3 provides a direct alternative without requiring you to treat the original as a prerequisite.
Can I start with Devil May Cry 5?
You can start with DMC5 if its modern presentation and variety of playable characters are what you most want. Capcom identifies Nero, Dante and V as the game’s three playable characters and describes their different combat styles.
The trade-off is chronology: DMC5 is a later numbered game, not the earliest point in Dante’s story. Starting there prioritizes the experience of that entry over beginning with Dante’s first appearance or the earlier events of DMC3. If you later want those earlier points in the story, you can go back to DMC3 or the original; the best route depends on whether you value modern presentation, story order or release order most.
The count of three refers to the characters Capcom names as playable in DMC5. It is a feature count, not a ranking of how much time each character receives or a claim that all three play similarly. Capcom’s description emphasizes that they have different combat styles, so the appeal is variety rather than a single uniform way to play.
Choose DMC5 first if you are comfortable beginning with a later numbered entry and your main goal is to play that game. Choose DMC3 or the original instead if meeting the characters through earlier story points is more important. The recommendation does not depend on a claim that DMC5 is a bad starting point; it is simply a different trade-off.
Should I play in story order or release order?
There is no single required order in Capcom’s product descriptions. Choose story order if you want to begin with DMC3’s prequel events; choose release order if you want to begin with the original game and Dante’s first appearance. DMC5 is also an option if your priority is a later game’s presentation rather than beginning at the earliest point identified here.
For the earlier story
- Begin with Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition.
- Continue to the original Devil May Cry.
- Capcom places Devil May Cry 2 after the original.
This follows the chronological relationships explicitly established by Capcom: DMC3 precedes the original, and DMC2 follows the original. The publisher descriptions cited here do not establish a complete chronology for every numbered entry, so this should not be mistaken for a definitive full-series timeline. It is a practical route through the relationships that are clear.
For release order
Begin with the original Devil May Cry, then continue to DMC2 and DMC3 Special Edition. Capcom’s HD Collection groups those three games, but the fact that they are bundled together does not make their story order the same as their release order. If you are choosing the first game rather than committing to the whole series, the original is still the straightforward release-order starting point.
For the modern-game experience
Begin with DMC5 if its named playable characters and modern presentation are the draw. This is a preference-based shortcut, not a claim that DMC5 is the best way to understand every earlier story point.
In short, story order and release order answer different questions. Story order points first to DMC3 because Capcom calls it a prequel. Release order points first to the original because Capcom identifies it as Dante’s first appearance. Either route is reasonable; decide which experience you want rather than trying to make the numbers alone settle it.
Is DmC: Devil May Cry part of the numbered story?
No: treat DmC: Devil May Cry as a separate take on Dante’s origin, not as a required step before DMC3. The publisher describes it as a contemporary retelling and gives its Dante a different origin.
That makes it an option if you specifically want that alternate presentation of the character’s beginnings. It is not interchangeable with Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition, despite both relating to Dante’s origins, and it should not be slotted into the numbered route as though it were an earlier chapter of that story.
If you are choosing between the two origin-focused games, the distinction is continuity: DMC3 is described as a prequel to the original, while DmC: Devil May Cry is described as a retelling. Pick DMC3 for the numbered-series route; pick DmC only if the separate take is specifically what you want.
What is included in Devil May Cry HD Collection?
Capcom lists three games in the collection: Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 2 and Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition. It does not include DMC4 or DMC5.
For a newcomer deciding between the original-first and DMC3-first routes, that bundle places both recommended starting points together with DMC2. Capcom describes the collection as running at 60 frames per second; that is the publisher’s product description, not an independent performance test.
The collection’s inclusion of DMC2 makes it available as part of that route, but Capcom’s descriptions do not support a sweeping claim that every player should skip it or that it is the best first game. The clearer default starting cases are the original or DMC3, depending on whether you prefer release order or the earlier story.
The three-game count refers to the named contents of this particular collection. It is not a popularity statistic, review score or claim about how many games are required to understand the series. If you want DMC4 or DMC5, check those titles separately rather than assuming they come with the HD Collection.
Is Devil May Cry 4 a good beginner option?
DMC4 is worth considering if you want a Nero-focused alternative and value explicit beginner settings. Capcom’s manual documents Nero and Dante controls, Human difficulty, a tutorial and an automatic-combo option. Those details give you a concrete reason to consider it if you want guidance or adjustable difficulty when starting out.
That does not make DMC4 the most direct introduction to Dante’s first appearance or the earlier Dante–Vergil story. Choose it for its documented beginner options and Nero focus, not because the manual establishes that it is a definitive first game. If the central question is where Dante’s story begins, the original or DMC3 is a clearer match.
What should I check before buying?
Confirm the exact edition, platform and format in the specific listing you are considering. A Capcom digital listing or product description does not establish that a separate retailer listing is for a physical disc. Availability and contents can vary by listing, so verify the item itself rather than relying on a similar name.
- Check the platform. Capcom publishes HD Collection manuals for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC. Make sure the copy you select matches the system you own.
- Check the format. Capcom’s US store lists PC digital versions, including a GOG code. A digital code is not a disc; verify the format named by the seller before buying.
- Check the edition contents. Capcom lists DMC4 Special Edition separately and also lists distinct DMC5 + Vergil and DMC5 Deluxe + Vergil PC offers. Similar names do not guarantee identical contents, so compare the actual listing details.
- Check region and compatibility. Verify the platform and region information shown on the individual listing instead of assuming another platform’s or store’s description applies.
- Check the physical listing directly. If you want a disc copy, make sure the retailer explicitly identifies it as physical and names the compatible platform. A product page for a digital code is not evidence that another seller’s copy is a disc.
Capcom’s official store is one digital purchase route, but its listings should not be mistaken for proof of a physical format or for a promise about current stock at another retailer. Before purchasing, compare the game name, edition, platform, region and format on the exact item page.
How we picked the starting points
The recommendations follow the priorities Capcom identifies: DMC3 as a prequel with selectable styles, the original as Dante’s first appearance, and DMC5 as a later entry with Nero, Dante and V. DMC4 and DmC: Devil May Cry are included as alternatives because their documented features suit narrower preferences. This is a practical editorial guide, not a measured ranking or a claim of hands-on testing.
The factual distinctions here come from Capcom’s HD Collection and game descriptions, its manuals and its store listings. The HD Collection’s three-game contents and its stated 60-frames-per-second feature are publisher descriptions. They are not independent benchmarks, player surveys or evidence that one starting route is universally preferred.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Devil May Cry 4 have options for beginners?
Capcom’s manual documents Human difficulty, a tutorial and an automatic-combo option, as well as controls for Nero and Dante. These features make DMC4 worth considering if beginner settings matter to you, though they do not make it the most direct introduction to Dante’s first appearance.
Does the HD Collection’s 60 fps figure come from a review benchmark?
No. The 60-frames-per-second figure is part of Capcom’s product description for the collection. It is the publisher’s stated feature, not a result from an independent benchmark.
Is the HD Collection a physical disc when a store lists it?
Not necessarily. Capcom’s US store includes digital PC versions, including a GOG code, and the format of a different retailer’s listing must be checked separately. Look for the explicit format and platform before buying.
Should I play Devil May Cry in release order or story order?
For the earlier story, begin with DMC3 Special Edition, which Capcom describes as a prequel to the original, then play the original and DMC2, which Capcom places after it. For release order, begin with the original, followed by DMC2 and DMC3. These routes reflect the chronology and release-order distinctions described here, not a complete official timeline for every game.
Can I play Devil May Cry 5 first?
Yes, if modern presentation and its three named playable characters—Nero, Dante and V—are your priority. The trade-off is that DMC5 is a later numbered entry rather than the earliest point in Dante’s story.
Is DmC: Devil May Cry a reboot or a prequel?
The publisher describes DmC: Devil May Cry as a contemporary retelling of Dante’s origin with a different origin for its Dante. Treat it as a separate take, not as a required prequel in the numbered-series route.
Does the HD Collection include Devil May Cry 4 or Devil May Cry 5?
No. Capcom lists Devil May Cry, Devil May Cry 2 and Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition in the HD Collection. DMC4 and DMC5 are separate games and should be checked as separate purchases.
Is DMC2 required as my first game?
No requirement is established here. Capcom places DMC2 after the original, and the HD Collection includes it, but the clearest first-game recommendations are the original for release order or DMC3 for the earlier story.
The Bottom Line
For most newcomers, start with Devil May Cry 3 Special Edition for the earlier Dante–Vergil story and selectable combat styles. Choose the original Devil May Cry to meet Dante in his first appearance and follow release order, or choose Devil May Cry 5 if modern presentation and three distinct playable characters matter most. Whichever you pick, check the exact edition, platform and physical or digital format before buying.