The Next Monster Hunter Game Technically Releases Next Month, But You Can Play It Today

A free demo for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection has just gone live ahead of the game’s full release on March 13, 2026. Though this free Monster Hunter demo was announced during the recent Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, it’s available now on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S as well as Nintendo Switch 2.

Announced during the July 2025 Nintendo Direct, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is the next entry in Capcom’s Monster Hunter Stories sub-series. While the mainline Monster Hunter games revolve around active third-person combat, the Monster Hunter Stories series features turn-based battles and generally functions more like JRPGs than action-adventure games. Monster Hunter Stories also tends to put a greater emphasis on narrative and characters, which is certainly apparent in Twisted Reflection‘s marketing.

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Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection Free Demo Is Available Now

During the recent Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection received a new story trailer. Lasting just a minute, this trailer once again teased the game’s central conflict: a war brewing between the rival kingdoms of Azuria and Vermeil and how the birth of two twin Rathalos fits into that. The Nintendo Direct trailer ended with the announcement that a free demo for Monster Hunter Stories 3 is out now.

According to the Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection demo’s official store listing, players will be able to enjoy the opening hours of the game during the trial. Any progress players make during the demo will then be transferred to the final game upon its release on March 13, though players will need to make sure they purchase the full version of Monster Hunter Stories 3 on the same platform they played the demo on to access their save data.

Pre-orders are open now for the full version of Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, and fans have three separate editions to choose from:

Standard Edition ($69.99) — Includes the base game
Deluxe Edition ($89.99) — Includes the base game and the Deluxe Kit, which features an additional side story, five layered armor sets for companions, a set of monster hairs, and a set of Rudy outfits
Premium Deluxe Edition ($99.99) — Includes the base game, the Deluxe Kit, and an additional five layered armor sets, more monster hairs, and another set of Rudy outfits

Pre-ordering any edition of Monster Hunter Stories 3 will also grant players a unique layered armor outfit for Eleanor. Those planning to pick up Monster Hunter Stories 3 on Nintendo Switch 2 can also make use of three unique Amiibo, with two capturing the likenesses of the game’s rival Rathalos leads, and one capturing the adorable Palico companion Rudy. Scanning the two Rathalos Amiibo will give the player character ‘Ratha’ and ‘Ratha V’ layered armor sets, while scanning the Rudy Amiibo will give the companion an ‘Oinky Chic’ in-game outfit. Once per day, these Monster Hunter Stories 3 Amiibo can also be scanned to receive helpful in-game items.

Fit the 9 games into the grid.

Monster Hunter Stories 3 was far from the only Capcom game shown during the most recent Nintendo Direct. Both Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata also appeared during the showcase, with the former getting an overview trailer that once again detailed the differences between Grace Ashcroft and Leon Kennedy’s playstyles while teasing more of the game’s central mystery. Pragmata received a similar overview-style trailer, with the game’s unique hacking combat being shown. Much like Monster Hunter Stories 3, Pragmata‘s Nintendo Direct trailer also ended with the announcement that a free demo is available today. Players can download Pragmata‘s free demo now on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.