Capcom has set a December 4, 2026 release date for the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Monster Hunter Wilds, IGN reported. The date was the first announcement of the September 2026 Nintendo Direct, which aired on September 9.
The Switch 2 version had already been confirmed. Capcom said earlier in 2026 that Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest entry in its Monster Hunter series, was headed to Switch 2, but it did not give a release date at the time. IGN noted that the lack of a date had led some players to expect the Switch 2 version would not arrive until 2027, and characterized the December announcement as a nice surprise.
Nintendo of America's post announcing the date listed what comes with the Switch 2 release: wireless local play, full cross-platform online play, and all of the game's Free Title Updates. Pre-orders open on October 19, according to the same post.
The hunt is on. Monster Hunter Wilds arrives Dec 4 on Nintendo Switch 2! Hunt massive monsters in a dynamic world with wireless local play, full cross-platform online play, and all Free Title Updates. Pre-orders begin Oct 19!
IGN's report likewise said the Switch 2 version will include local play and all previously released title updates, meaning Switch 2 hunters start with the same content catalogue the game has built up on other platforms.
The Monster Hunter Wilds date came during Nintendo's second Direct presentation of the week. The general Direct followed a Zelda-focused Direct that Nintendo held on September 8.