Fans of Monster Hunter World who hoped for their favorite installment to appear on the Nintendo Switch 2 will need to be brave. During the Tokyo Game Show 2026, Capcom producer Ryozo Tsujimoto made it clear at the Capcom Spotlight that a port of Monster Hunter World for Nintendo's new console is highly unlikely. The reason is technical and relates to the game engine on which World was built.
Why isn't Monster Hunter World coming to Switch 2?
According to Tsujimoto, the major hurdle lies in the engine used: Monster Hunter World ran on Capcom's old MT Framework engine in 2018, whereas the series has completely switched to their proprietary RE Engine since Monster Hunter Rise. „From Monster Hunter Rise onwards, we've been using our own RE Engine. This engine change alters the entire conversation, regardless of performance or hardware power. We would have to rebuild the game completely from the ground up,“ the producer explained, paraphrasing his words. So, it's not about a lack of processing power from the Switch 2, but simply that World technically stands on a completely different foundation than everything Capcom has released since. While there isn't an official, final cancellation, the statements leave little room for interpretation.
For context: Monster Hunter World was an absolute milestone for the series in 2018, truly opening it up to the West for the first time. Along with the major expansion Iceborne, the title sold over 30 million copies and remains Capcom's most successful game to date. So, anyone who wishes to continue playing World will, for now, remain dependent on PS4, Xbox One, and PC, or their respective successor consoles via backward compatibility or cloud gaming services – a native Switch 2 version is not currently in sight.
More information about the game can be found on the official Monster Hunter World page and the Monster Hunter World Steam Store entry.
Which Monster Hunter is coming to Switch 2 in December 2026 then?
The good news for Switch 2 owners: Hunters won't go empty-handed regardless. As Capcom confirmed during the Nintendo Direct in September 2026 and at the Tokyo Game Show, Monster Hunter Wilds will be released on December 4, 2026, for the Switch 2 – including all previously released title updates. The Switch 2 version offers, among other things, local multiplayer mode and cross-play with the versions for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, allowing hunter squads to go on hunts together across platforms. Important for context: This is neither World nor a completely new, standalone spin-off, but Monster Hunter Wilds, which was originally released in 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC and is now being delivered as a full-fledged Switch 2 version. For those already interested in the next steps for the series: In the major expansion Ascendance, set to follow in 2027, Capcom states that there will also be some changes to weapon balance – details on this are provided in our report on Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance's weapon balance plans. The official announcement trailer already provides a first impression of the Switch 2 version.
Anyone who wants to keep an eye on the technical background and all system requirements should take a look at the official Monster Hunter Wilds page. It's clear then: The Switch 2 will get a genuine, current Monster Hunter blockbuster by the end of the year – just not in the form of a World port.
Source: Nintendo Life, TheGamer
What do you say: Is Monster Hunter Wilds on Switch 2 enough for you, or do you sorely miss World? Let us know in the comments!
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