Which Devil May Cry Game Should You Start With? (2026 Switch 2 Beginner Guide)

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Introduction: Why Devil May Cry Confuses New Players in 2026

With the arrival of Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition on Switch 2, a massive wave of new players is entering the franchise for the first time.

And almost immediately, they ask:

  • Do I need to play DMC1 through DMC4 first?
  • Why is the franchise story so out of order?
  • What is the correct play sequence?
  • Can I just start directly with DMC5?

The short answer is yes: You can safely start with Devil May Cry 5 on Switch 2.

The game features a built-in narrative recap specifically designed to catch you up in under 15 minutes. However, if you want to explore the older games, the franchise has two completely different "correct" paths: a Gameplay Release Order and a Chronological Story Timeline.

Navigating this on the Switch 2 adds platform complications, including specific backward compatibility rules, varying framerate targets, and missing bundle packs. This guide strips away the fluff and lays out your optimal entry paths.

Quick Answer (Best Way to Start in 2026)

Best Starting Point (Most Players)

Start with Devil May Cry 5 (Switch 2)

Why:

  • Most modern combat system
  • Best onboarding experience
  • Built-in story recap (“History of Devil May Cry”)
  • Stable 60 FPS optimized performance
  • No prior knowledge required

Older games are optional expansion, not mandatory.

An informational infographic breakdown for starting the Devil May Cry series on Switch 2, illustrating modern versus chronological play orders, eShop backward compatibility notes, reasons for skipping DMC2, and DMC5 performance metrics like stable 60 FPS.

Two Ways to Play Devil May Cry

PATH A — Modern Entry

Start with:

Devil May Cry 5 (Switch 2)

Then optionally explore:

  • DMC3
  • DMC4
  • DMC1
  • DMC2 (skippable for most players)

The Nintendo Backward Compatibility Reality 

While DMC5 is native to Switch 2, older games (DMC1–DMC4) are accessed via Nintendo Switch eShop backward compatibility, not a unified HD collection like on PlayStation/Xbox.

Key difference:

  • No single “HD Collection” bundle on Nintendo
  • Individual digital purchases for DMC1, DMC2, and DMC3

Why this matters:
You are not buying a trilogy — you are building your own library step-by-step.

Nintendo Advantage: DMC3 Definitive Version

The Nintendo Switch version of Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition is widely considered the most feature-complete console version.

It uniquely includes:

  • Freestyle Style Switching (on-the-fly combat styles)
  • Advanced weapon switching flexibility inspired by DMC5 systems

This feature is NOT fully present in older PS/Xbox HD versions.

Why this matters:

  • Massive Nintendo-exclusive selling point
  • Frequently searched (“best version of DMC3”)
  • Strong reason Switch players prefer this ecosystem

PATH B — Chronological Story Order (Lore Purists)

  • DMC3 (Origins)
  • DMC1
  • DMC2 (often skipped)
  • DMC4
  • DMC5

Canon timeline:
3 → 1 → 2 → 4 → 5

Release Order vs Timeline Order

Release Order (Gameplay Evolution)

DMC1 → DMC2 → DMC3 → DMC4 → DMC5

Timeline Order (Story Order)

DMC3 → DMC1 → DMC2 → DMC4 → DMC5

Key insight:

  • Release order = gameplay evolution
  • Timeline order = story clarity
  • Neither is wrong

Why DMC2 Is Almost Always Skipped

Community consensus is clear:

  • Weak combat system
  • Poor pacing
  • Lowest narrative relevance

Skipping DMC2 is widely accepted and does NOT affect story understanding.

Switch 2 Performance Reality

Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition runs on a heavily optimized RE Engine build.

Strengths:

  • Stable 60 FPS baseline (handheld + docked)
  • Unlocked high-FPS mode (~80–100 FPS average, peaks higher)
  • Occasional peaks near 120 FPS (not stable cap)
  • Near-instant loading via NVMe storage

Tradeoffs (Important Transparency)

To maintain performance stability:

  • Legendary Dark Knight Mode removed
  • Ray Tracing removed
  • Turbo Mode removed (20% speed option not included)
  • Optimized rendering pipeline for stability

Why this matters:
This is a deliberate optimization tradeoff, not missing content.

Price & Storage Reality

  • $29.99 launch promo (until July 31, 2026)
  • $39.99 MSRP afterward
  • 27.9 GB install size
You can purchase the digital edition directly from the official Nintendo Store:
Devil May Cry 5: Devil Hunter Edition (Nintendo Store)

Visual Expectation Notes

  • Dynamic resolution scaling is used
  • Docked TV output may look softer on large displays
  • Handheld appears sharper due to screen density

Can You Start With DMC5?

Yes — absolutely

You will miss:

  • Some origin lore (DMC3)
  • Deeper character backstory context

But you will NOT miss:

  • Main story understanding
  • Character relationships
  • Core enjoyment

Netflix Anime Context (Optional)

The Devil May Cry Netflix anime:

  • Is NOT required for understanding the games
  • Exists in a separate interpretation timeline
  • Works as a companion piece only

Hardware Note

  • Vergil included from the start
  • Deluxe DLC content included (cosmetics + bonus items)
  • Some heavy console-only modes removed for performance balance

Built-In Story Shortcut Most Players Miss

“History of Devil May Cry”

DMC5 includes a full franchise recap:

  • Story summary
  • Character relationships
  • Key events overview

This allows complete newcomers to jump in safely.

 Community Consensus (Veteran View)

  • Best entry point: DMC5
  • Best lore experience: DMC3
  • DMC2: mostly skipped
  • DMC4: essential for Nero’s development

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

  • Playing strictly in chronological order
  • Starting with DMC1 expecting modern controls
  • Skipping DMC5 because it’s “the last game”
  • Assuming all versions are bundled physically
  • Ignoring Switch 2 performance differences
  • Buying the wrong version of DMC3

DMC3 Purchase Warning 

On Nintendo platforms:

  • DMC3 is sold as a standalone eShop title
  • There is NO physical HD Trilogy Collection

Always look for:
Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition (Switch eShop version)

Recommended Play Paths

Best Overall (Switch 2 Players)

DMC5 → DMC3 → DMC4 → optional DMC1

Lore Completion Path

DMC3 → DMC1 → (skip DMC2) → DMC4 → DMC5

Fast Entry Path

DMC5 + in-game recap only

Conclusion: The Real Truth About Devil May Cry Order

Devil May Cry is not a strictly linear franchise.

It is a gameplay-first series with optional lore depth layered on top.

That means:

  • Fun-first players → start with DMC5
  • Lore-first players → start with DMC3
  • Completionists → play everything

Final Takeaway

You don’t start Devil May Cry with the “correct” game.

You start with the game that makes you stay.

And in 2026 on Switch 2:

That game is Devil May Cry 5

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Devil May Cry game to start with in 2026?

Most players should start with Devil May Cry 5 (Switch 2) because it has modern gameplay, smooth 60 FPS performance, and a built-in story recap.

Do I need to play DMC1–DMC4 before DMC5?

No. DMC5 is designed to be fully playable without prior knowledge. The story is easy to follow thanks to in-game summaries.

What is the correct order to play Devil May Cry games?

You can play in two ways:

  • Release Order: DMC1 → DMC2 → DMC3 → DMC4 → DMC5
  • Story Order: DMC3 → DMC1 → DMC2 → DMC4 → DMC5

Should I skip Devil May Cry 2?

Yes, most players skip it due to weaker combat and lower story relevance. It is not required to understand the series.

 Can I just start with Devil May Cry 5?

Yes. DMC5 includes a full story recap and modern gameplay systems, making it the best entry point for new players.

Is Devil May Cry 5 on Switch 2 hard to run?

No. It runs smoothly with a stable 60 FPS baseline, plus an optional higher-performance mode with increased frame rates.

What is the easiest way to understand the story?

Watch the in-game “History of Devil May Cry” recap in DMC5, then continue playing.

Which Devil May Cry character is hardest for beginners?

V is usually the hardest due to managing multiple summons and complex control inputs.

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