Capcom confirms Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection 2026 release window at Nintendo Direct

Capcom entered the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase on July 31, 2025, with a surprising but welcome announcement: Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026, alongside the PS5, Xbox Series S|X, and PC via Steam.

The third installment in the spin-off turn-based RPG series follows the success of Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, which sold over 1 million units within the first 10 days of launch in 2021 and surpassed 2 million units by 2025.

Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection features a contrasting, vibrant, and dark atmosphere, featuring the iconic dragon-like monsters known as twin Rathalos, whose birth ignites a war between the kingdoms of Vermeil and Azuria.

Players will take on the role of Azuria’s heir, the sole Rathalos Rider, who embarks on a journey to investigate a “crystal encroachment” threatening the world. Accompanying the protagonist is Elanor, Vermeil’s princess and a political hostage, partnered with her Monstie, Anjanth. Players will set out as a party to uncover the secrets of Vermeil’s queen.

Fans are excited by the surprise announcement, with many looking forward to seeing the return of the Monster Hunter Stories series after a four-year hiatus.

Capcom’s Monster Hunter series remains a powerhouse, as the franchise has generated 120 million units sold globally as of March 2025. Furthermore, Monster Hunter Wilds, which was released on February 28, 2025, became Capcom’s fastest-selling game, shipping 8 million units three days into launch and reaching 10.58 million by June 30.

But the release hasn’t been without its share of hiccups. In Q1 2025, stretching from April to June, Monster Hunter Wilds’ sales dropped to 447,000 units due to negative reception, partly due to performance issues on PC.

Meanwhile, Devil May Cry 5 saw a revival in sales, outpacing Monster Hunter Wilds and moving 1.78 million units, pushing total sales to 13.36 million thanks to the Devil May Cry Netflix adaptation, which was released on April 3, 2025.

Despite Monster Hunter Wilds’ recent struggles, the game has cemented itself as one of the best-selling titles in 2025, setting a high bar for Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection. While no exact release date has been confirmed, Capcom teased that further details will be revealed in the future, including potential amiibo releases.