Monster Hunter Wilds launches for Nintendo Switch 2 on December 4, 2026, for $39.99 in the United States. Nintendo’s US store currently lists a digital Standard Edition, with preorders scheduled to begin October 19. The port supports full cross-platform multiplayer and arrives with the free Title Update content released for the existing versions by launch day.
This is the Nintendo Switch 2 release of Capcom’s hunting action game, not an upgrade from a Nintendo Switch version. We first covered the port in our Nintendo Direct September 2026 recap. The guide below separates what Nintendo and Capcom have confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2 from details that remain unknown.
Monster Hunter Wilds Nintendo Switch 2 Quick Facts
| Official title | Monster Hunter Wilds |
|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch 2 release date | December 4, 2026 |
| US price | $39.99 |
| Current US edition | Standard Edition, digital |
| Preorder date | October 19, 2026 |
| Publisher | Capcom |
| Single-system players | 1 |
| Local wireless players | 1 to 4 |
| Online players | 1 to 4 |
| Crossplay | Yes, full cross-platform multiplayer |
| Cross-save or save transfer | Not announced for Nintendo Switch 2 |
| Estimated file size | 39.1 GB |
| Included updates | Free Title Update content available on other platforms by launch |
| Paid expansion | Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, coming in 2027 |
What is Monster Hunter Wilds on Nintendo Switch 2?
Monster Hunter Wilds is Capcom’s latest mainline hunting action game. Players explore the Forbidden Lands, track large monsters, craft weapons and armor from gathered materials, and continue an expedition story built around environments that change between harsh and abundant conditions.
The game first released for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on February 28, 2025. Capcom’s official Nintendo Switch 2 announcement confirms the same official product title, Monster Hunter Wilds, for the new platform. There is no original Nintendo Switch edition and no Nintendo Switch upgrade pack.
When does Monster Hunter Wilds release for Nintendo Switch 2?
The Nintendo Switch 2 version releases on December 4, 2026. Nintendo’s official announcement trailer says US preorders begin on October 19, 2026.
Nintendo and Capcom have not announced the exact US unlock time or preload date. Nintendo generally allows eligible digital preorders to preload, but a specific preload schedule for this game has not been published, so buyers should rely on the product page once preorders open.
How much does Monster Hunter Wilds cost on Nintendo Switch 2?
The regular US price is $39.99. That price appears in Nintendo’s official US coming-soon listing for the Nintendo Switch 2 version.
Monster Hunter Wilds Nintendo Switch 2 editions and availability
| US option | Price | Format | Confirmed contents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Edition | $39.99 | Digital | Base game and the free Title Update content released on other platforms by launch |
| Physical edition | Not announced | Not listed in the US | No North American package details confirmed |
| Gold or Deluxe Edition | Not announced for the US | Not listed in the US | No North American edition contents confirmed |
Nintendo’s Japanese announcement lists physical and digital versions in that region, plus a digital Gold Edition with 10 DLC packs. Those regional products do not confirm a US physical release, US Gold Edition, game-card format, or North American pricing. As of October 17, Nintendo’s US product page lists the Standard Edition as a digital product only.
No US preorder bonus has been announced. Regional bonuses shown by Nintendo outside North America should not be treated as US offers unless Capcom or Nintendo of America confirms them.
What updates and content are included?
Nintendo says all Title Update content is included, with examples including the Grand Hub, Mizutsune, Lagiacrus, and the Final Fantasy XIV Online collaboration. Nintendo’s official trailer describes these as all free Title Updates.
That wording covers free post-launch updates available for the existing versions by the Nintendo Switch 2 launch. It does not mean every paid cosmetic DLC pack is included in the $39.99 Standard Edition.
Is Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance included?
No. Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance is a separate paid expansion scheduled for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2027. Capcom describes Ascendance as a continuation of the main story with new quest ranks, locales, monsters, expanded weapon actions, and other gameplay features.
Capcom has not announced the expansion’s exact release date, US price, Nintendo Switch 2 edition options, or storage requirement.
Does Monster Hunter Wilds support crossplay on Nintendo Switch 2?
Yes. Nintendo and Capcom confirm full cross-platform multiplayer for the Nintendo Switch 2 release. Nintendo Switch 2 players will be able to hunt online with players on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Crossplay describes playing together across platforms. It does not confirm cross-save, cross-progression, shared downloadable-content ownership, or the ability to move a hunter between platforms.
How does multiplayer work on Nintendo Switch 2?
Nintendo lists one player on a single system, one to four players through local wireless, and one to four players online. Local wireless is a Nintendo Switch 2-specific addition that lets nearby players hunt together using their own systems.
Online multiplayer requires an internet connection, a Nintendo Account, and a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership. The US listing also supports Save Data Cloud through Nintendo Switch Online. Nintendo has not announced GameShare support for this release.
Does Monster Hunter Wilds have cross-save or save transfer?
Capcom has not announced cross-save, cross-progression, or a save-transfer route for the Nintendo Switch 2 version. There is also no confirmed import path for a character, story progress, items, or purchases from PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC.
Nintendo Switch Online Save Data Cloud can back up a Nintendo Switch 2 save, but cloud backup is not the same as cross-platform progression. Buyers who already play elsewhere should assume they may need to begin again on Nintendo Switch 2 unless Capcom announces otherwise.
Nintendo Switch 2 storage and technical specifications
| Feature | Official Nintendo Switch 2 information |
|---|---|
| Estimated download size | 39.1 GB |
| Play modes | TV, tabletop, and handheld |
| HDR | Supported on compatible TVs |
| Audio | Linear PCM surround sound supported |
| Resolution | Not announced |
| Frame rate | Not announced |
| Graphics modes | Not announced |
The 39.1 GB figure is Nintendo’s estimated game file size and may change before or after launch. Nintendo and Capcom have not published a separate day-one update size.
No official technical breakdown currently gives a native or upscaled resolution, frame-rate target, handheld-versus-docked profile, or selectable quality and performance modes. Footage in the announcement trailer should not be treated as a substitute for confirmed specifications.
What is different about the Nintendo Switch 2 version?
The confirmed differences are portability, local wireless multiplayer for up to four players, Nintendo Switch Online integration, Save Data Cloud support, HDR output on compatible TVs, and a launch package that includes free Title Update content already released elsewhere.
Capcom has not announced any Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive monsters, quests, weapons, or story content.
What remains unconfirmed?
- The exact US unlock time and preload date
- A North American physical edition and its game-card format
- A US Gold, Deluxe, or collector’s edition
- Nintendo Switch 2 resolution, frame rate, or graphics modes
- Cross-save, cross-progression, and save transfer from other platforms
- US demo availability and a release date
- A US preorder bonus
- The size of any launch-day update
- Exact Nintendo Switch 2 details and pricing for paid cosmetic DLC
- The date, price, editions, and file size for Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official Nintendo Switch 2 product title?
The official title is Monster Hunter Wilds. Nintendo and Capcom do not add “Nintendo Switch 2 Edition” to the product name.
When is the Monster Hunter Wilds Nintendo Switch 2 release date?
It releases December 4, 2026.
What is the US price?
The regular US price is $39.99 for the currently listed digital Standard Edition.
Will there be a physical version in the United States?
No US physical version has been announced. A physical version is official in Japan, but regional availability does not confirm a North American package.
Does the Nintendo Switch 2 version support crossplay?
Yes. It supports full cross-platform online multiplayer with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
Does it support cross-save?
Cross-save and cross-progression have not been announced for Nintendo Switch 2.
How many players does multiplayer support?
Nintendo lists one player on a single system, one to four players through local wireless, and one to four players online.
Is Nintendo Switch Online required?
A paid Nintendo Switch Online membership is required for online multiplayer. It is not required for solo play, and local wireless is listed separately from online play.
How much storage does the game need?
Nintendo currently estimates a 39.1 GB file size. The final requirement can change with updates.
Are all updates included?
The Nintendo Switch 2 version includes the free Title Update content released for the existing platforms by launch, including the Grand Hub, Mizutsune, Lagiacrus, and the Final Fantasy XIV Online collaboration. Paid DLC is not automatically included with the Standard Edition.
Is Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance included in the base game?
No. Ascendance is separate paid content planned for 2027.
What resolution and frame rate will Nintendo Switch 2 use?
Nintendo and Capcom have not announced resolution, frame-rate, or graphics-mode specifications.
This article reflects official information available as of October 17, 2026. We will update it when Capcom or Nintendo confirms additional Nintendo Switch 2 details.
Will you start a new hunt on Nintendo Switch 2, or keep your current hunter on another platform?
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