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Monster Hunter

Facts

Noted
A storage case shaped like the Large Barrel Bomb item from the Monster Hunter series is on sale. · 2026-08-28
Noted
Monster Hunter is playable · 2026-07-19
Release
manga · 2026-06-26 · 2026-06-22

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1d ago

Sony's September 2026 PS Store Charts Put Onimusha on Top for PS5

Sony Interactive Entertainment published PlayStation Store download rankings for September 2026 across four categories. Onimusha: Way of the Sword took No. 1 on PS5, ahead of Torneko's Great Adventure: Mystery Dungeon - A Somewhat Lovely Remaster at No. 2 and EA SPORTS FC 27 at No. 3. MONSTER HUNTER: WORLD led PS4, Cities: VR - Enhanced Edition led PS VR2, and the free-to-play monster-collecting RPG Animo topped the free-to-play category.

4d ago

Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 Demo Launches With Local Play

Capcom released a free early-game demo for the Switch 2 version of Monster Hunter Wilds on October 20, 2026. The demo covers character creation, the prologue, and Chapter 1-3 "Into the Forest," and lets players hunt Chatacabra and Quematrice with all 14 weapon types, including Focus Mode and Focus Strike. It is offline-only, so online features and Photo Mode are absent, but up to four players can play together via local communication if each brings a Switch 2 with the demo installed. An SOS flare summons the NPC Support Hunter during quests. Save data and option settings carry over to the full game, which releases December 4, 2026, at 4,990 yen for the standard edition. The full game includes update content such as Mizutsune, Gogmazios, and the Final Fantasy XIV collaboration monster Omega Planetes.

Oct 15

Switch 2 Monster Hunter Wilds Demo Lands October 20

Capcom will release an early-game demo for the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Monster Hunter Wilds on October 20. The demo covers the same early content as the full game, from character creation through the opening story, and save data carries over. It supports local wireless multiplayer on Switch 2 but not online play. The full Switch 2 release is set for December 4.

Oct 7

Monster Hunter Rise Mobile Listed for iOS and Android with Netflix as Distributor

Store pages for an iOS and Android version of Monster Hunter Rise are live overseas, and they list Netflix as the distributor. Capcom and Netflix have not announced the release. The pages say a Netflix subscription is required for both versions and list supported languages as English and Japanese, with an age rating of 13+ on iOS and 16+ on Android. The Android listing describes two changes to the 2021 action game. Challenge Quests and Event Quests, previously sold as paid or limited-time downloadable content, can be unlocked by progressing through the game. A new healing button picks the most effective item from the inventory during combat based on the hunter's health and status. The pages also describe rebuilt touch controls for phones and tablets and say the control scheme adapts to each weapon. The listings make no mention of Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak, the expansion for Monster Hunter Rise.

Oct 6

Monster Hunter Rise Passes 20 Million Copies Sold Worldwide

Capcom's Monster Hunter franchise account confirmed on Friday that Monster Hunter Rise has passed 20 million copies sold worldwide. The game launched on Nintendo Switch in March 2021, then on PC via Steam in January 2022, and arrived on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows, and Xbox Game Pass in January 2023. The Sunbreak expansion followed in June 2022 for Switch and PC.

Oct 5

AUTOMATON's 102nd Weekly Roundup Picks Seven Game Introductions

AUTOMATON's 102nd weekly roundup collects seven game introduction pieces. The picks include Seikyu: Let's Go!, a four-player co-op camping car game from the Seikyu Monogatari developer; Monster Hunter Outlanders, a smartphone title supervised by Capcom with a release set for October 29; All Rats on Deck, a rafting co-op game for up to four players; Iconology from Idea Factory's new brand IFChronicle; AION 2, the free-to-play MMORPG; and Neighbors: Suburban Warfare.

Oct 4

Monster Hunter Outlanders Launches October 29 on iOS and Android

Capcom's Monster Hunter Outlanders will launch for iOS and Android on October 29, with a mainland China version scheduled for 2027. The open-world survival game supports multiplayer and a character-switch system, and adds a new Elder Dragon, Ruger Aidal. Chinese developer TiMi Studio Group is handling development, with franchise composer Tadayoshi Makino returning for the music.

Oct 3

Sony Sets PlayStation Festival For Osaka On October 24

Sony Interactive Entertainment will hold PlayStation Festival on October 24 at Grand Front Osaka North Building 1F Knowledge Plaza, running from 11:00 to 19:00. Attendees can play PS5 titles that appeared at the PlayStation booth at Tokyo Game Show 2026 in September. Advance trial reservations opened October 2 for PlayStation Plus subscribers and close October 21 at 23:59, handled first-come, first-served through the event's special site. The reservable titles are Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance from Capcom, Final Fantasy VII Revelation from Square Enix, ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE from Bandai Namco Entertainment, and GUNDAM ROGUE ORBIT from Bandai Namco Entertainment. The day also includes a PLAY! PLAY! PLAY! special stream, sales of PlayStation goods with limited-quantity Astro Bot items, hands-on time with the PlayStation Portal Remote Player, and novelty giveaways tied to trying a game, posting at the venue, or adding the official PlayStation LINE account.

Oct 3

Monster Hunter Outlanders Gets Hands-On at TGS2026 Ahead of October 29 Launch

TiMi Studio Group is developing the smartphone title Monster Hunter Outlanders under an official license from Capcom, with a worldwide release set for October 29, 2026 in regions outside mainland China. The game is free to play with item-based microtransactions and runs on iOS and Android. At Tokyo Game Show 2026, outlets played a hunt against the game's original Elder Dragon, Luga Earda, a monster whose design concept TiMi producer Don Huang described as a holy knight clad in golden armor, drawing on swordplay and shield imagery. Players sortie in a four-person party, and in the demo three NPCs joined. The demo offered two control schemes: Starting Mode, played with attack, special, and evade buttons that connect combos automatically, and Hunting Mode, which hands players multiple buttons for manual combos and skills. Capcom producer Akio Sekino said the core cycle of hunting, gathering materials, and crafting equipment is preserved, with adventurers added as an Outlanders-specific element.

Sep 19

CAPCOM Demos Apha Araketa Hunt For Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance At Tokyo Game Show

At Tokyo Game Show 2026, CAPCOM demoed Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, an expansion for Monster Hunter Wilds. The demo hunt pits players against Apha Araketa, classified as one monster but made up of three individuals that fight as a unit. A brighter, larger main Apha Araketa is the target, and the writer says the fight turns on pattern recognition, timing, and resource management.

Sep 18

Capcom Opens Applications for Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 Hands-On

Capcom began accepting applications on September 19 for a hands-on event for the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Monster Hunter Wilds, limited to subscribers of the series email newsletter Monhan-bu. The Tokyo venue at the Capcom Tokyo Branch hosts on October 10 and 11, with applications closing at 13:00 on September 28. The Osaka venue at the Capcom Head Office runs October 17 and 18, with applications closing at 13:00 on October 5. Attendees can play four-player multiplayer over local communication, join a Hunter Card Exchange Meetup, and take part in a Team Competition Trial Quest Challenge. Commemorative items for participants include a Hunter Self-Introduction Card, a sticker, a microfiber handkerchief, and an original rubber keychain. The winning team in the quest challenge receives an original T-shirt. A trial version of the game is scheduled for release at a later date.

Sep 17

Capcom Details Refine Update For Monster Hunter Wilds Alongside Ascendance

Capcom announced on September 16 that Monster Hunter Wilds will receive a free Refine Update alongside the 2027 release of the Ascendance expansion, and that the changes apply to players who do not buy the expansion. The update adds faster weapon swapping, letting hunters switch between two weapon types without mounting the Seikret, and equipment changes at item boxes outside tents. A new Hunter My Set feature registers item sets, equipment sets, and equipment appearance sets so they can be recalled together. Paid Grooming Tickets are abolished, making character re-editing free and unlimited. Monster hitzones become visible as numbers in the monster encyclopedia, and HUD options let players move the clock, restyle health and stamina gauges, and change the item box's display method. Capcom said more refinements are planned. Ascendance adds Master Rank, a sky setting, Boost Drivers, and the Elder Dragons Kushala Daora, Teostra, Lao-Shan Lung, and Gundoraja.

Sep 16

Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance Adds Teostra As Playable TGS2026 Quest

Capcom revealed during the September 16 Capcom Spotlight stream for Tokyo Game Show 2026 that the Elder Dragon Teostra returns in Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, the super-large expansion for Monster Hunter Wilds. Teostra is the returning Elder Dragon huntable in the TGS2026 demo, joining a quest against the new monster Araketa and a beginner quest against Chatacabra. The demo runs at Makuhari Messe from September 17 to 21. A pre-show trial at Capcom let a four-person party take on both hunts with the new Boost Bracelet, an arm-mounted piece of gear that charges a gauge and unlocks boosted actions per weapon type. Hands-on accounts describe Teostra's dust explosions, two-hit charge, flame breath, and Supernova still in place. Trial participants managed to slay Araketa, but were left short of meaningful damage against Teostra within the 20-minute quest limit. Ascendance is scheduled for release in 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

Sep 15

Monster Fantasy Playtest Start Set For September 22

Jotoyo will hold a limited-time playtest for its hunting life simulation Monster Fantasy starting September 22, with sign-ups open on Steam and test contents to be detailed later. The game pairs hunting actions against roughly 50 large monsters with fishing, logging, mining, cooking, and crafting, plus four jobs and about 100 villagers. The team says Monster Hunter is one inspiration.

Sep 15

Epic Games Sets Unreal Fest Tokyo 2026 Keynote With Tim Sweeney

Epic Games Japan announced the keynote speakers and first sessions for Unreal Fest Tokyo 2026, set for November 3 and 4 at the TFT Building West Hall in Ariake, Tokyo. CEO Tim Sweeney and Epic Games Japan representative Takayuki Kawasaki will share the keynote, covering the Epic ecosystem, the company's vision, and the rollout of UE6. More than 30 sessions are planned. Participation is free.

Sep 14

Danganronpa 2x2 PC Specs Were Set for 4K, Producer Says

Spike Chunsoft producer Shohei Sakakibara said on September 14 that the recommended PC requirements for Super Danganronpa 2x2 were written around 4K high-quality visuals and will be updated later. The listed specs, including an Intel Core i7-14700 or AMD Ryzen 7 7700 and an RTX 4070 or RX 7700 XT with 32GB of memory, had drawn attention for being high for an adventure game. He also said the Switch version is being optimized.

Sep 13

NHK Rebroadcasts Symphonic Gamers 5 Concert on September 20

NHK's game music concert Symphonic Gamers 5, subtitled Melodies of Adventure Across Time and Space, returns to NHK BS at 0:40 on September 20, late night on September 19. The broadcast covers an orchestral program drawn from the Super Mario series, the Monster Hunter series, Kirby Air Ride, Chrono Trigger, Journey, Shadow of the Colossus, Tales of the Abyss, Granblue Fantasy, Okami, Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, and Final Fantasy IX. Game director Masahiro Sakurai and voice actress Ruriko Aoki appear as MCs. The setlist runs from Super Mario's Above Ground BGM and Piranha March through Monster Hunter's Proof of a Hero and its Wilds version, Kirby Air Ride's Legendary Air Ride Machine, Chrono Trigger's Wind Scene and Frog's Theme, Okami's Reset (Thank You Version), Sakuna's Yanato Rice Planting Song, and Final Fantasy IX's Battle 1 and The Place I'll Return to Someday. NHK's official website and the streaming service NHK ONE carry performer and setlist details.

Sep 10

Capcom Adds Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 and Resident Evil Remakes to TGS2026 Lineup

Capcom published the second wave of its exhibitor information for Tokyo Game Show 2026, which runs September 17 to September 21 at Makuhari Messe. The Nintendo Switch 2 version of Monster Hunter Wilds, set for release on December 4, 2026, joins the booth as a playable demo with two quests: a beginner-oriented hunt for Kematris and a veteran-oriented hunt for Lagiacrus. Demos run multiplayer only in handheld mode, with tickets distributed first come, first served. Three Resident Evil remake titles also join on Switch 2: Resident Evil RE:2 Z version Deluxe Edition, Resident Evil RE:3 Z version, and Resident Evil RE:4 Gold Edition, each playable from its opening story with novelties handed out in limited quantities. Capcom also detailed demo content for previously announced titles including Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and Street Fighter 6, and set the Capcom Spotlight | TGS 2026 stream for September 16.

Sep 9

Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 Version Sets December 4 Release

Capcom announced during the Nintendo Direct 2026.9.9 stream on September 9 that the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Monster Hunter Wilds will launch on December 4. The Switch 2 edition includes all previously released title updates and supports local wireless multiplayer, allowing players to gather with their consoles for cooperative hunts. A bundle set, described as Japanese domestic only, pairs the Switch 2 console with a downloadable copy of the game and a three-month Nintendo Switch Online individual membership voucher, releasing the same day. Pre-orders open after the Direct broadcast ends. The software carries a rating for ages 15 and up. Separately, Capcom confirmed the large expansion Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance is scheduled for a 2027 release on Nintendo Switch 2. The announcements were part of a broader Nintendo Direct lineup that also included other titles for the platform.

Sep 9

Monster Hunter Teams with Down Maker NANGA for Sleeping Bag, Jacket, T-Shirt

Shogakukan opened pre-orders on September 9 for a three-item Monster Hunter collaboration with down manufacturer NANGA, produced by the outdoor magazine BE-PAL. The lineup includes a Palico Gaming Sleeping Bag priced at 85,800 yen, a Raging Rajang Down Jacket at 59,400 yen, and an Eco Hybrid Rathalos / Windward Plains T-shirt at 8,250 yen per color. The sleeping bag and jacket ship around January 2027.

Sep 7

Tsujimoto Reveals His Monster Hunter Now Weapon Is Not the Hammer

The Monster Hunter Now Carnival 2026: Osaka press event ran September 1 at Capcom headquarters. The real-world event takes over Osaka's Namba area on November 14-15, with producer Ryozo Tsujimoto revealing his main weapon in the game is the Sword and Shield, not the Hammer. The carnival also joins the Midosuji Challenge 2026 street event on November 7-8, and the game itself is approaching its third anniversary.

Sep 7

Onimusha Way of the Sword Gets Free Monster Hunter Rise Costume DLC

Capcom began distributing free Monster Hunter Rise collaboration costumes for Onimusha: Way of the Sword on September 7. The DLC adds two outfits: Yo no Kei for Oni no Kajin (Shizuka Gozen), modeled after village receptionist Hinoe, and Yomogi no Mai for Izumo no Okuni, modeled after tea house girl Yomogi. Both costumes change appearance only and carry no combat performance effects. Players equip them through the Hama Kagami menu's Yosooi no Henkou option, which unlocks progressively as the game advances. The DLC requires the base game and is available through digital stores. To mark the collaboration, Capcom published a special three-chapter manga titled Onimusha wa Gekiteki da yo!, following Hinoe and Yomogi as they visit the Kyoto of Onimusha: Way of the Sword. It is available on the official website and official social accounts. A second three-chapter manga, Shizu to Okuni ga Asobi ni Kita yo!, featuring Shizuka and Okuni visiting Kamura village, is scheduled for September 8. Onimusha: Way of the Sword launched September 4 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

Sep 3

Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance Trailer Names New Elder Dragon Gundoraja

CAPCOM revealed the first trailer for Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance during Sony's State of Play on September 3. The trailer introduces Gundoraja, a new Elder Dragon that controls thunderclouds, and shows returning monsters Lao Shan Lung and Kushala Daora. The expansion adds Boost Drivers, attacks that activate Boost, which temporarily strengthens certain actions and opens new combos, stronger guarding, and more. A new field, the Kumoi Ruins, uses Seikret gliding and updrafts for vertical exploration. A new bird wyvern, Araqueta, also appears. Tokyo Game Show demos at the PlayStation and Capcom booths will offer a hunt quest against Araqueta. The expansion launches in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. According to PlayStation.Blog, the story takes place several years after the base game's ending. Nata, who was a child in Monster Hunter Wilds, has grown into a young man working with the survey team and aiming to become a hunter, accompanied by his partner Moriba Sakigake.

Sep 2

Monster Hunter Now Carnival 2026: Osaka Runs November 14-15

Scopeley Explore and Capcom held a joint press conference on September 1 at Capcom's Osaka headquarters to announce Monster Hunter Now Carnival 2026: Osaka, the second real-world event for the location-based mobile game. The Carnival runs November 14 and 15, from 9:00 to 18:00 each day, with the main venue in the Namba area of Osaka's Chuo-ku, including Namba Parks, Shinsaibashi BIGSTEP, and designated areas along Midosuji. Tickets go on sale September 3 at 9:00 JST. Early-bird pricing through September 9 is 3,500 yen for a one-day pass and 4,000 yen for a two-day pass; regular prices are 4,000 and 5,000 yen. The event follows the 2024 Shibuya Carnival, which drew 20,000 players. Scopeley Explore president Keiichi Kawai and Monster Hunter series producer Ryozo Tsujimoto spoke at the conference, and comedy duo Katsumi♥Sayuri appeared as special guests. Monster Hunter Now will also exhibit at the Midosuji Challenge 2026 municipal project on November 7 and 8.

Sep 1

Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance Gets World-First Playable at TGS 2026

Capcom released the first batch of its Tokyo Game Show 2026 booth lineup on September 1, with Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance headlining as the world's first playable exhibit of the expansion. The trial offers three quests: a new monster hunt set in the floating ruins field, a revived elder dragon hunt, and a Chatacabra hunt that doubles as a tutorial for players new to Monster Hunter Wilds. The new Boost Bracer action is usable across all three quests. The revived elder dragon's identity is being withheld until the Capcom Spotlight | TGS 2026 stream on September 16 at 23:00 JST. Playable slots require numbered tickets distributed first-come, first-served near the Ascendance corner of the booth. The same announcement covers Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen and Mega Man: Dual Override, both getting their first playable exhibits in Japan, plus playable builds of Onimusha Way of the Sword, Pragmata, Street Fighter 6, and Monster Hunter Outlanders. Non-game attractions include Street Fighter: The Movie costumes and a Biohazard shooting range run with Tokyo Marui.

Aug 28

Monster Hunter Now Adds Gunlance Event and Train Play Update

Scopely announced on August 24 that Monster Hunter Now will hold the Summer Festival of Hunters 2026 event, running in two parts from August 24 through September 6. The event adds the limited Gunlance weapon Tropical Cannon and makes dimensional variant monsters more active. A separate update eases restrictions on playing while traveling by train.

Aug 28

Monster Hunter Large Barrel Bomb Item Box Goes on Sale

URAKITA Workshop, also written as URAKITA Kobo in one source, is selling a storage case shaped like the Large Barrel Bomb item from the Monster Hunter series. The case reproduces the metal parts of the in-game bomb with matte resin molding and uses domestic wood finished with traditional barrel joinery. The sides carry three-dimensional Barrel Bomb and Guild Emblem icons made through metal engraving, and the Monster Hunter series logo is printed on the bottom exterior. The item doubles as a piggy bank because its lid includes a coin slot. Priced at 4,290 yen including tax, the case has been available on the URAKITA direct sales site since August 25, with shipping scheduled for the end of September 2026. Both Inside and Game Spark reported the product, with Game Spark adding related Monster Hunter product links in its article.

Aug 27

Monster Hunter Outlanders Trailer Reveals Elder Dragon Ruger Aidal

Capcom unveiled a new trailer for Monster Hunter Outlanders during this year's gamescom Opening Night Live event, introducing a new Elder Dragon monster named Ruger Aidal. The game is an open-world survival title for iOS and Android devices, scheduled for release in 2026. Pre-registration has begun on the App Store and Google Play. Chinese developer TiMi Studio Group, a subsidiary of Tencent, is developing the game under license from Capcom. The trailer shows Ruger Aidal appearing with a mysterious aurora phenomenon, spreading its large wings, and transforming into a sun-like mass of flames that burns everything around it. The game features multiplayer support and a system to switch between characters. Franchise composer Tadayoshi Makino is handling the music. TiMi Studio Group announced in November 2022 that it was working on a new mobile Monster Hunter game. The studio is known for developing Call of Duty Mobile and Pokémon Unite. In the ongoing third closed beta test, events such as "Nergigante Invasion" and "Hunting Dash" are scheduled to run from August 28.

Aug 21

30 Minutes Fantasy Teams With Monster Hunter Wilds, Reveals Rathalos and Arkveld Kits

Bandai Spirits streamed the 15th 30 Minutes Label New Product Presentation on August 21, 2026, unveiling new 30 Minutes Fantasy kits. The lineup includes the Class Up Armor (Savage Hunter), the second Class V Dark Nebiru Ark Knight, the Necros Mephist starter set, and a general-purpose tetoron seal set. A collaboration with Monster Hunter Wilds brings Rathalos and Arkveld equipment into the 30MF format, with both sets scheduled for March 2027.

Aug 15

Capcom Details Monster Hunter Stories 3 NPC Battle AI at CEDEC 2026

At CEDEC 2026, Capcom programmer Mitsuhiko Inaba presented the battle AI system for Monster Hunter Stories 3. The system uses a two-layer structure where machine learning selects an action category, and traditional methods pick a specific skill. This approach lets planners adjust character behavior intuitively without complex conditions, and a shared base model enables efficient production across characters.

Aug 5

Monster Hunter Wilds Gets Early-Game Demo With Save Transfer

Capcom announced an early-game demo for Monster Hunter Wilds, set to release on August 5, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. The demo supports save data transfer, allowing players who start the full game without existing save data to carry over their demo progress. The announcement accompanied details for the Ver.1.042 update, arriving August 4 at 11:30. That update makes the limited-time event quest "Pupropolu Isn't Crying" permanent and allows all 26 currently available event quests and challenge quests to be played offline, a change from their previous online-only availability. The update also adjusts the quest counter so available quests appear at the top of the list. Several other bug fixes are included. The demo and update arrive ahead of the 2027 release of the ultra-large expansion "Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance," which is the context for the announcement. Capcom has not yet detailed the demo's content or length, promising further information later. Monster Hunter Wilds is currently on sale for the same three platforms.

Jul 22

Monster Hunter Sunbreak Figure Box Preorders Open for 6-Monster Set

Capcom has opened preorders for a new figure box set based on monsters from Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak. The set, titled Capcom Figure Builder Monster Hunter Standard Model Plus THE BEST ~Vol. 25 & 26~, is available through the e-Capcom online store for 11,880 yen (tax included). It collects six popular monsters from the latter half of the Sunbreak expansion: Primordial Malzeno, Scorned Magnamalo, Gaismagorm, Chaotic Gore Magala, Soulseer Mizutsune, and Risen Shagaru Magala. The figures are sold in blind boxes, meaning the contents are random and buyers cannot select which monster they receive. A bonus feature allows collectors to assemble an Espinas Subspecies (Clear Ver.) figure by combining included bonus parts. The set is scheduled to begin shipping on March 12, 2027.

Jul 19

CAPCOMIX Minato Mirai Opens: Play Monster Hunter, Street Fighter With Your Whole Body

Capcom opened CAPCOMIX Minato Mirai, a new experiential facility in Yokohama, on July 17. The venue combines physical activity with Capcom IPs in the Crazy BANeT area, plus a VR-X zone with Street Fighter, Onimusha, and Resident Evil content, a kids' area, a trial play corner, and a store. Pricing starts at 2,300 yen for 90 minutes on weekdays, with a special opening price of 500 yen for 60 minutes for app members through July 31. A preview event featured comedian Hollywood Zakoshisho demonstrating the activities.

Jul 14

Monster Hunter Wilds Price Revised, Editions Discontinued Before Ascendance

Capcom has announced a price revision and product lineup restructuring for Monster Hunter Wilds, effective August 4 at 9:00. The game's standard edition will drop to 4,990 yen (tax included). Three existing bundles-the Deluxe Edition, Premium Deluxe Edition, and Cosmetic DLC Pass-will be discontinued. Three new set products will replace them: the Gold Edition (base game plus two items), the Cosmetic DLC Collection (all 10 DLC packs), and the Extra Cosmetic DLC Pack (paid DLC previously sold separately). Premium bonuses previously tied to the discontinued editions will be obtainable through the new sets. The changes come ahead of the super-large expansion Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, scheduled for 2027. The game is currently available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam.

Jul 8

Monster Hunter Wilds Now Rated Playable on Steam Deck

Capcom's Monster Hunter Wilds has had its Steam Deck compatibility rating changed from Unknown to Playable. The game's default graphics settings are described as running comfortably on the handheld, and it was already popular on the platform, ranking 17th in the Top 100 Games Played on Steam Deck shortly after launch.

Jul 8

Anime And Manga Worlds Share Tanabata 2026 Wishes

Anime News Network published a five-part roundup of Tanabata greetings from across the anime, manga, and video game industries on July 7, 2026. The collection includes wishes and illustrations from official accounts for series such as Bungo Stray Dogs, Detective Conan, My Hero Academia, Sakamoto Days, Doraemon, Chibi Maruko-chan, Hell's Paradise, and Dragon Quest. Video game franchises like Final Fantasy, Monster Hunter, and Like a Dragon also participated, alongside creators including Hideo Kojima, Yuki Kaji, and Shoko Nakagawa. Several series tied their posts to new releases: the second season of Yoroi Shin Den Samurai Troopers premiered on July 7, My Happy Marriage released a special Tanabata illustration and announced a three-episode special for 2026, and My Stepmother and Stepsisters Aren't Wicked began airing on July 8. The roundup also features greetings from manga titles like Chiikawa, MARRIAGETOXIN, and Smoking Behind the Supermarket with You, as well as from studios Tatsunoko Production and Square Enix.

Jul 3

Monster Hunter Outlanders Teaser Hints at Return of Estrellian From Defunct Online Game

A teaser video for the smartphone game Monster Hunter Outlanders, shown at a TapTap event on July 2, 2026, briefly displayed the silhouette and icon of Estrellian, a monster that previously only appeared in the now-defunct Monster Hunter Online. The game is developed by TiMi Studio Group, a Tencent subsidiary that also co-developed Monster Hunter Online with Capcom. The third closed beta test is recruiting participants through July 24.

Jun 27

Monster Hunter Stories 3 'Side Stories' DLC Launches With Rudy Chapter

Capcom released the first chapter of the 'Side Stories' DLC for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection on Thursday, accompanied by a new trailer. The DLC, titled 'Side Story: Rudy,' introduces a narrative focused on the character Rudy. The base game launched in March for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Jun 26

Monster Hunter Stories 3 Gets Surprise King Monster Update and Nergigante DLC

Capcom released a free update for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twin Dragons of Destiny on June 26, 2026. The update adds a high-difficulty final boss battle accessible with post-game save data. Clearing it causes King Monsters, marked with crown icons, to appear in field areas. These include Invading Beasts and Heavenly Ancient Dragons. A paid DLC, Additional Side Story: Rudy's Story, also launched at 1000 yen. It explores the origins of Rudy, the protagonist's Felyne companion, and features Navirou and the Elder Dragon Nergigante. Nergigante cannot become a Monstie but appears as a powerful enemy. Clearing Rudy's Story and meeting King Monster conditions unlocks a quest to challenge King Monster Nergigante. The game's first sale is also live, with the standard edition 20% off at 7192 yen. Sale periods vary by store. The game is available on Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.

Jun 23

Capcom Spotlight Stream Set for June 26 With Onimusha, Dragon's Dogma 2 News

Capcom will stream a 30-minute Capcom Spotlight on June 26 at 6:00 a.m. on YouTube. The program will feature updates on Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twin Dragons of Destiny, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and the large expansion Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen. Voice actor Takehito Koyasu narrates. Multiple streamers will host mirror streams.

Jun 23

Capcom Spotlight Set for June 26 With Monster Hunter Stories 3 DLC and Onimusha News

Capcom announced a digital event called Capcom Spotlight, streaming on June 26 at 6:00. The program will reveal details on the paid DLC side story "Rudy Chapter" for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Fate's Twin Dragons, new information on Onimusha: Way of the Sword, and follow-up news on Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen. Voice actor Takehito Koyasu narrates the 30-minute stream.

Jun 22

Pop Mart to Release Monster Hunter Palico Figure Series on June 26

Pop Mart will release a set of 13 Monster Hunter Palico figures on June 26, 2026. The blind-box series includes Palicoes wearing equipment from Tigrex, Zinogre, Gore Magala, and a Rathalos-equipped Navirou from Monster Hunter Stories. Each box costs 1,760 yen, and a 12-box assortment is 21,120 yen.

Jun 16

Vanillaware Veteran Yoshio Nishimura Spent Six Years Building a Game in a Mountain Village

Yoshio Nishimura, who led background art at Vanillaware for over twenty years, left the studio during the pandemic and moved to a village of 1,200 people in Nara Prefecture. He spent six years developing Veritas Tales: Witch of the Dark Castle under his own label, Digitalis Publishing. Studio head George Kamitani framed the departure as a "graduation" and the first case of a planned strategy to let senior creators open their own shops.

Jun 10

Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance Steam Page Opens With Wishlist Registrations

Capcom opened the Steam store page for Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance on June 10, accepting wishlist registrations. The expansion, announced at Summer Game Fest 2026, adds a sky-ruins map, Boost Bracer action, new monsters, and appearances of Lao-Shan Lung and Kushala Daora. Price and release date are unannounced; the base game is on sale until June 19.

Jun 8

Monster Hunter Wilds Ascendance DLC Doubles PC Concurrent Players

Following the announcement of the 'Monster Hunter Wilds' expansion 'Ascendance' at Summer Game Fest 2026, the game's concurrent player count on PC more than doubled within two days, reaching 38,163. Meanwhile, the previous title 'Monster Hunter: World' hit 42,287 concurrent players and surpassed 30 million units sold worldwide.

Jun 7

Inside Picks 8 Unmissable Games for 2027

Japanese gaming site Inside has curated a list of eight major titles confirmed for 2027, including the final chapter of the Final Fantasy VII remake trilogy, a full remake of the original Tomb Raider, and the debut title from Ikumi Nakamura's studio UNSEEN. The list also features new entries in the Virtua Fighter and Dragon Ball Xenoverse series, a new Gundam action game, and large DLC for Monster Hunter: Wilds.

Jun 7

Automaton's Weekly Roundup: Ace Combat 8 Release Date, Monster Hunter Wilds DLC, and More

Automaton's 85th weekly roundup highlights seven notable game articles, including the October 2 release of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve with a pre-order bonus port of Ace Combat Zero, the announcement of Monster Hunter Wilds large DLC Ascendance featuring Kushala Daora and Lao-Shan Lung, and Palworld's official release on July 10 with its biggest update.

Jun 6

Good Smile Fest 2026 Tokyo Unveils New Figures Across Multiple Anime and Game Lines

Good Smile Fest 2026 Tokyo, held on June 6, 2026, featured a wide array of new figure prototypes and painted samples from Good Smile Company. The event included first-time exhibitions of polyester and polyurethane figures from 'New Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt,' a color sample of Cutie Honey from 'Cutie Honey Nova,' and figures from 'City the Animation' featuring Minami Mitori, Niikura, and Izumi Wako. In the game titles category, new items included a Nendoroid of Hideo Kojima, painted samples of Tidus and Yuna from 'Final Fantasy X,' and figures from 'Fate/Grand Order,' 'Steins;Gate,' and 'Bunny Garden 2.' The social game edition showcased numerous figures from 'Azur Lane,' including Howden Leeuw, New Jersey, Taihou, and Mogador, as well as items from 'Uma Musume: Pretty Derby' and 'Fate/Grand Order.' The event also displayed 'POP UP PARADE BEACH QUEENS' figures of Rei Ayanami and Asuka Langley Shikinami from 'Evangelion: New Theatrical Edition' and a prototype from 'Mononoke the Movie: The Medicine Seller.'

Jun 5

Monster Hunter Wilds Ascendance Expansion Announced for 2027

Capcom announced the large-scale expansion Monster Hunter Wilds Ascendance during the Summer Game Fest 2026 livestream on June 5. The expansion is scheduled for release in 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. It introduces a new sky-bound land, a Master Rank quest tier, and a new equipment item called the Boost Bracer, which enables new movement and combat actions. The trailer confirmed the return of Elder Dragons Kushala Daora and Lao-Shan Lung. Players must own the base game and have cleared the Chapter 6-1 quest "Awakening from a Dream" to access the expansion. Separately, Capcom announced that a Nintendo Switch 2 version of Monster Hunter Wilds is in development, with release details to come later. The base game launched in February 2025 and sold over 8 million copies in its first three days, later reaching 10 million by March 2025.