The Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 demo is almost here, with Capcom confirming a free Prologue Demo for Nintendo’s console on 19 October in North America (20 October in the UK and Europe), the same day digital pre-orders open for the full game ahead of its 4 December launch.
Your demo progress carries over to the full game, it supports local multiplayer, and the full game is launching with an early digital price of just $29.99, which is frankly a bit of a bargain for one of Capcom’s biggest games.
But can the Switch 2 actually handle a game that made some PCs cry? Let’s find out!
What’s in the Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 Demo?
As VGC reports, it’s the same Prologue Demo that’s already available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam, letting you mess about in the character creator and play through Chapter 1-3: To the Forest.
That’s a decent slice of the opening, and since your save carries over, you won’t have to spend another three hours making your hunter’s eyebrows perfect all over again!
There’s one catch, which is that the demo has no online multiplayer, but it does support local play, so if you and a mate both have a Switch 2 you can hunt together in the same room. Honestly, that’s how Monster Hunter was always meant to be played, wasn’t it?
How Much Is Monster Hunter Wilds on Switch 2?
Capcom is being pretty aggressive with pricing here, and here’s what we know based on RPG Site and FinalBoss:
- Standard Edition (digital): $39.99, with an early pre-order price of $29.99 for a limited time
- Deluxe Edition (physical): $39.99, including the base game and a Deluxe Pack voucher
- Gold Edition: $79.99, adding extra cosmetic DLC
- Release date: 4 December 2026
- Includes: every Title Update already released on other platforms
For context, Wilds launched on PS5, Xbox and PC back on 28 February 2025, so Switch 2 owners have waited over 21 months, but they’re getting all the post-launch content and a much lower price for their patience. Not a bad trade, all things considered!
Quick NoteThe $29.99 pre-order price is a launch discount, and the different sources disagree slightly on exactly when it ends, so if you know you want it, grab it early rather than gambling on the final day.
Can Switch 2 Really Run Monster Hunter Wilds?
This is the big question, because Wilds was notoriously demanding on PC at launch, and we haven’t seen any official performance figures or resolution targets for the Switch 2 version yet.
That’s exactly why this free demo is such a smart move from Capcom, since you get to see for yourself whether it runs smoothly or like a very shiny potato before spending a penny.
Series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto has said the team wanted to bring the game to Switch 2 partly because it’s a handheld you can take anywhere, and he’s talked up a “virtual local wireless experience” through crossplay, letting people in the same room play together on PS5 and Switch 2.
That’s a lovely idea, as long as the Switch 2 player isn’t stuck staring at muddy textures while their PS5 mate gets the pretty version!
What About the Ascendance Expansion?
Here’s where things get a bit awkward, because Capcom has announced Ascendance, a big paid expansion coming in 2027, but FinalBoss notes that it’s only been confirmed for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam.
There’s been no word on a Switch 2 version, and no release date or price either.
That doesn’t mean it won’t come to Switch 2, but if you’re buying in specifically for the long haul, it’s worth knowing that the expansion isn’t promised yet. Would you really want to be the one hunter left behind when everyone else moves on?
Should You Pre-Order Monster Hunter Wilds on Switch 2?
Download the demo first, full stop, because it’s free, your progress carries over, and it’ll tell you far more about performance than any trailer can.
If it runs well enough for you, then $29.99 for the full game with every Title Update included is an easy recommendation, especially if Switch 2 is your main console.
If you’ve already got a PS5 or a decent PC, that version will almost certainly look and run better, and it’s the only one with Ascendance confirmed for now. Big console ports on Nintendo hardware can absolutely work though, and we’ve seen it before with things like The Witcher 3’s ongoing Switch 2 fixes, so fingers crossed Capcom has done its homework!
FAQs
When is the Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 demo released?
The Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 Prologue Demo arrives on 19 October in North America and 20 October in the UK and Europe.
Does Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 demo progress carry over?
Yes, your progress in the Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 demo carries over to the full game, which launches on 4 December.
How much is Monster Hunter Wilds on Switch 2?
Monster Hunter Wilds on Switch 2 costs $39.99 for the digital Standard Edition, with an early pre-order price of $29.99 for a limited time.
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