While Capcom might be done with major content updates for Monster Hunter Wilds, and has already started work on its expansion, it may have other features in store. A recent data mine has revealed more hints that Monster Hunter Wilds might be making its way to the Nintendo Switch 2. While many of the previous indications of a Switch 2 port have been removed in recent updates, as caught by Reddit user Lener30, one image was left in.
The image involves a group of in-game characters playing Monster Hunter Wilds together on their Nintendo Switch 2 consoles. While far from an official confirmation by any stretch, the image is likely meant to showcase how wireless local multiplayer can be used with Monster Hunter Wilds for some quick co-op hunts. The characters themselves aren’t really discernible since we can only see their hands; at least one of them seems to be a hunter, and another one is a Palico.
Reports of a Nintendo Switch 2 port for Monster Hunter Wilds first started popping up back in January, when a datamine for Title Update 4 revealed numerous references to the console. One function, named “via.store.Native.nsw2UpgradeEdition,” was the biggest hint, with the “nsw2” likely being shorthand for Nintendo Switch 2. A variety of other text strings were also found with references to local multiplayer.
The datamine also revealed new asset culling methods that were likely in place to improve performance on the Nintendo Switch 2. The spawn rates for endemic life were also noticeably lower, coming in at around a fifth of the rate compared to the other versions. We saw this culling feature make its way to PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S with the most recent update for Monster Hunter Wilds, which also brought in Arch-tempered Arkveld as its main attraction, as well as a side mission that ties in with the story of the upcoming Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection.
Another report has indicated that the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Monster Hunter Wilds will run at 30 frames per second with DLSS enabled. When docked, the “Graphics Mode” option will apparently only output video at 1080p. Interestingly, this mode’s shadow quality was seemingly higher than what you would find on the PC version’s “Very Low” preset.
Other interesting tidbits discovered in the latest datamine indicate that Gogmazios and Zoh Shia might get Tempered versions. While no further details have been uncovered so far, the Tempered versions of these two monsters would likely represent the highest tier challenge possible in Monster Hunter Wilds right now, aside from Title Update 3’s Savage Omega Planetes.
Monster Hunter Wilds is available on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, and despite several technical issues, has managed to perform well for Capcom with 11 million copies sold as of December 31st. Monster Hunter Rise and Sunbreak also saw growth in sales figures, with the entire franchise having crossed the 33 million units sold milestone.
