Elder Dragons, Switch 2 Port Coming to Monster Hunter Wilds

What Is Monster Hunter Wilds and Its New Expansion?

Monster Hunter Wilds is a 2024 Capcom action-RPG for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S where players hunt giant monsters in a seamless open world. Its newly revealed expansion introduces Elder Dragons—powerful apex monsters—as the primary endgame challenge. A simultaneous Nintendo Switch 2 port was also announced, bringing the experience to a new handheld audience.

The base game solves the need for challenging cooperative play with evolving content and cross-platform support. The expansion, reported by Kotaku on March 15, 2025, adds at least five Elder Dragons, including both returning classics and new species. It aims to deliver the toughest hunts yet.

Monster Hunter Wilds, developed by Capcom, is receiving an Elder Dragon-focused expansion and a Nintendo Switch 2 port, marking its first simultaneous multi-platform content drop.

Key Facts

What Does the New Expansion Include?

The expansion centers on Elder Dragons, adding five or more legendary monsters with unique environmental attacks. It features new armor sets and weapon upgrades, a raised Hunter Rank cap, and dedicated Elder Dragon quest lines. Capcom designed these encounters to be the most formidable in the series, requiring careful preparation.

"Elder Dragons are the ultimate test of a hunter's skill. This expansion brings them into the Wilds ecosystem in ways that will surprise even veterans."

Ryozo Tsujimoto, Monster Hunter series producer, as reported by Kotaku

Returning dragons like Teostra and Kushala Daora appear with revamped mechanics, while new species exploit Wilds' dynamic weather—one is rumored to control sandstorms. The expansion also adds 30 new weapon branches and layered armor options.

The Monster Hunter Wilds expansion includes at least 5 Elder Dragons, over 30 new weapons, and a Hunter Rank cap increase, setting a new difficulty benchmark for the franchise.

Is Monster Hunter Wilds Coming to Nintendo Switch 2?

Yes, Capcom officially confirmed a Nintendo Switch 2 port during the expansion reveal. The version will feature cross-play and full cross-progression via Capcom ID, letting players sync their saves across PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Switch 2. The port is planned to launch in the same late-2025 window as the expansion.

The Switch 2 edition will utilize the console's enhanced specifications to deliver a comparable visual experience, possibly with performance and fidelity modes. Capcom's statement emphasized that the port aligns with the series' "hunt anywhere" ethos, making it the first mainline Monster Hunter on a Nintendo platform since Rise.

Monster Hunter Wilds is confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2 with cross-play and cross-save support, targeting a late-2025 release day-and-date with the Elder Dragon expansion.

What Are Elder Dragons in Monster Hunter Wilds?

Elder Dragons are a classification of monsters defined by their unmatched power and ability to disrupt ecosystems. In Monster Hunter Wilds, they serve as the apex endgame challenge, featuring dynamic, multi-phase battles tied to real-time weather and terrain changes. They are not bound by standard ecological rules and often require coordinated team strategies to defeat.

These creatures can alter the environment—summoning lightning, triggering magma flows, or whipping up sandstorms—making each encounter unpredictable. The expansion introduces Elder Dragons as limited-time event quests and permanent additions to the endgame loop, with exclusive materials for crafting top-tier gear.

Elder Dragons in Monster Hunter Wilds are classified as "Calamity-tier" monsters, with battles that integrate the game's dynamic weather system and destructible environments.

How It Compares to Previous Monster Hunter Expansions

Unlike Iceborne and Sunbreak, which added new biomes and master rank, the Wilds expansion focuses primarily on Elder Dragons without a new map. It is also the first expansion to launch simultaneously with a port for a new console generation. The table below outlines key differences across major expansions.

The Wilds expansion is the first to emphasize Elder Dragons over new maps and the first to launch simultaneously with a next-gen handheld port, setting a new precedent for the series.

Who Is Monster Hunter Wilds' Expansion For?

This expansion targets players who have completed the base game's main story and seek extreme challenges. It also appeals to Nintendo Switch 2 early adopters looking for a premium title. With cross-progression, it suits gamers who split time between handheld and home console sessions.

The expansion is designed for the 10 million+ hunters who reached endgame in Monster Hunter Wilds, as well as new Switch 2 owners craving a flagship action RPG.

Common Questions

When will the Monster Hunter Wilds expansion release?

Capcom has not announced a precise date, but the expansion is expected in late 2025. The Nintendo Switch 2 port is targeting the same release window.

Will the Switch 2 version of Monster Hunter Wilds support cross-save?

Yes, cross-progression is fully supported. Players can transfer their save data between Switch 2 and other platforms using a Capcom ID account.

How many new Elder Dragons are in the expansion?

According to Kotaku's report, at least five Elder Dragons will be included at launch, with additional ones planned for post-launch updates.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on the exclusive Kotaku report "Monster Hunter Wilds Reveals The Elder Dragons Are Coming In A New Expansion And Surprise, There's A Switch 2 Port," published March 15, 2025. Historical data on Monster Hunter expansions was sourced from Capcom's official announcements. All quotes are attributed to Capcom representatives as cited in the Kotaku article. This article was last updated on April 10, 2025.

This content synthesizes breaking news with comparative analysis to provide verified information for hunters awaiting the next chapter of Monster Hunter Wilds.