Capcom confirmed over the summer that Monster Hunter Wilds will be coming to the Switch 2 sometime in the near future, and the current Nintendo console might have what it takes to give the game the second chance it deserves. Monster Hunter Wilds isn’t a perfect game by any means, but updates and fixes have helped improve its rougher moments. It might be a divisive entry in the series, but Monster Hunter Wilds might find the Switch 2 to be a great new home.
When Monster Hunter Wilds first launched, it was plagued with glitches and bugs. There have thankfully been several improvements to the Monster Hunter Wilds performance issues, but these changes may have come too late, at least when it comes to the PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S crowds. The Switch 2 is a different story, though. Capcom has hopefully learned a few important lessons from the rocky launch, but potentially better performance isn’t the only reason why Monster Hunter Wilds on the Switch 2 sounds like a great match.
Monster Hunter Wilds’ More Divisive Qualities Could Actually Work Better on the Switch 2
Besides the large list of performance issues that Wilds faced in its early days, another criticism that some longtime Monster Hunter lovers have about the game is that the hunts are much shorter compared to many past games. For veteran fans who have been there since the beginning, Monster Hunter Wilds is too easy. Just because a game is easier doesn’t mean that it is necessarily worse, though. Monster Hunter Wilds‘ combat is incredibly smooth and satisfying, and the higher levels at least get increasingly more difficult over time. An easier entry is actually going to be good news for Switch 2 owners who have never played a Monster Hunter game before and want to start.
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Monster Hunter Wilds is definitely one of the most accessible chapters in the series, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. If Capcom has hopes that Monster Hunter Wilds on the Switch 2 will be a fresh start, then attracting newcomers needs to be one of the port’s biggest goals. Its easier difficulty level might make it harder to attract longtime fans who are well aware of the reputation that it has built since launch, but Monster Hunter Wilds can be seen as the perfect entry point for curious Switch 2 users ready to try a fresh franchise.
Monster Hunter Wilds‘ Switch 2 port was recently rated by Germany’s ratings board, so a release date announcement could be on the way.
The Switch 2’s Handheld Mode Is Actually Perfect for Monster Hunter Wilds’ Shorter Hunts
Monster Hunter Wilds‘ shorter hunts may be frustrating to fans who revel in longer missions, but the Switch 2’s portability actually makes the shortness a good thing. Since a lot of lower level Monster Hunter Wilds monsters can be beaten in less than 15 minutes, players can jump into a hunt practically whenever they want.
The Switch 2’s handheld mode keeps quick missions from becoming a problem. Whether you’re on the train, in a coffee shop, passing time on a flight, or simply want to jump into a game super quickly just for the heck of it, Monster Hunter Wilds‘ embrace of accessibility makes it perfect for a more casual play style. Monster Hunter Wilds quests and boss fights don’t have to appeal to every single gamer, and Capcom’s insistence on making it a more approachable entry can be highly beneficial instead of an annoyance when it’s on the right platform.
Monster Hunter Rise Has Already Demonstrated That Monster Hunter Wilds Will Likely Be a Great Addition to the Switch 2 Roster
Despite its many ports, Monster Hunter Rise was made specifically for the original Switch, so Capcom already has experience with making Monster Hunter games work well on the platform. The Switch and the Switch 2 may not be the same graphics powerhouses that PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X are able to be, but the gameplay is ultimately what’s the most important.
Just because a game is easier doesn’t mean that it is necessarily worse.
Monster Hunter Rise‘s hunts may not be as short as Monster Hunter Wilds‘ on average, but they are still a lot shorter than previous entries. It gave the game a more on-the-go edge that Monster Hunter Wilds has carried forward. It’s just that the quickness can’t be appreciated as much when playing on something other than the Switch 2. I completely understand why shorter Monster Hunter hunts are frustrating, but every franchise needs to evolve in order to stay relevant. Some of the franchise’s more difficult monster encounters have a 50-minute time limit. There have been plenty of fans that have managed to complete these missions in far less time, but such daunting quests can scare fresh players away.
Even though Monster Hunter Wilds is seen by many players as one of 2025’s most disappointing games, Capcom has managed to turn things around this year. Games like Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata have been huge successes, and the highly anticipated Onimusha: Way of the Sword could be the company’s third big hit this year. Onimusha: Way of the Sword comes out on September 3.
Tinkering with a franchise’s approach to difficulty is always going to be controversial, but making the Monster Hunter franchise more accessible is what’s needed to get a new generation on board so there can be many more years of games to look forward to. Monster Hunter Wilds‘ bad feedback so early on in its life cycle could hurt the series’ future if Capcom doesn’t make moves to showcase that the game is worth a second look.
There is also the Switch 2’s multiplayer to consider. Monster Hunter Rise‘s multiplayer was one of the game’s strongest features, and Monster Hunter Wilds is bound to feel just as fun playing with friends. The Switch 2’s co-op features have improved upon its predecessor in a lot of great ways that can make the port a fantastic party game option. Capcom hasn’t confirmed or denied this yet, but Monster Hunter Wilds could reach an even larger audience if the developer includes GameShare. As of now, the wait for Monster Hunter Wilds on the Switch 2 continues. The game may have faced several hiccups along the way, but the Switch 2 can hopefully give it a new lease on life.
- Released
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February 28, 2025
- ESRB
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T For Teen // Violence, Blood, Crude Humor
