Nintendo Switch 2 owners will be able to try Monster Hunter Wilds for free before launch. Capcom announced through the series' official account that the game's Prologue Demo arrives on the eShop on October 19 Pacific time, or October 20 UK time. Progress made in the demo can be carried over to the full game, which launches on Switch 2 on December 4.

What the demo includes

It is the same Prologue Demo that PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC players received in August. According to VGC and RPG Site, it includes:

  • Full character creation right at the start;
  • The story through the end of Chapter 1-3, "To the Forest";
  • Every weapon type available to try;
  • Save transfer to the full Switch 2 version.

The Switch 2 version has one extra compared with the other platforms: support for local play, so you can hunt with nearby friends, each on their own console. Online play is not included in the demo.

Pre-orders and launch

Digital pre-orders open on the eShop the same day as the demo. Monster Hunter Wilds is set to launch on Switch 2 on December 4, 2026. Capcom and Nintendo have not given the exact eShop release time in each region.

Why it matters

Monster Hunter Wilds launched on February 28, 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC. Its arrival on Switch 2 is an important test for Nintendo's new console: Wilds is a demanding game, with an open world and many monsters on screen, and the demo will let players see how it runs on the handheld before buying.

The series also has strong ties to Nintendo consoles. Monster Hunter Rise, for example, launched first on Switch in 2021. That is why the Switch 2 version is likely to appeal both to people who have never played Wilds and to longtime fans who prefer playing on a handheld.

What we still don't know

Capcom did not detail the Switch 2 version's resolution or frame rate in this announcement. It is also unclear whether every content update released after the launch on other platforms will be included in the December release. Keep an eye on the eShop on the 20th to check the release time and local price.