It is the first game in the franchise to be released in Europe and PAL region, where it was published in October 2000 under the name Monster Rancher.

However, only by winning an IMa Official Cup, four of which are held each year, can breeders and monsters earn higher ranks.

Monsters begin life knowing a small number of moves that can be used in battle, with more learned through training.

There are three different ways in which to unlock new monster types for raising: plot events, expedition, and errantry.

This event takes place every four years, much like the Summer Olympics, and the player's monster has to be of certain rank to gain entry to.

The player must win the preceding entry tournament first, which always takes place in the last week of July, respectively.