Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 port leaks in Title Update 4 datamine, raising performance concerns

With Capcom’s strong presence on Nintendo consoles, a Monster Hunter Wilds Switch 2 version seemed inevitable. However, release date performance issues on other platforms produced doubts. Capcom then explained it needed more time to optimize the game for Switch 2 specs. A datamine of the recent Title Update 4 suggests that a version for the handheld is in development.

Does the datamine confirm a Switch 2 release?

STRCoolerSimp on Reddit shared a close look at code found in the 1.040 Monster Hunter Wilds patch. One of the more interesting discoveries relates to a supercharged form of the Elder Dragon Gogmazios. The Tempered Gogmazios will likely appear in a future update. Still, the “nsw2UpgradeEdition” reference is what has caught the attention of Nintendo followers.

Some fans have questioned why Capcom would label a new Switch 2 game as an upgrade. It’s possible the publisher plans to release a port with bonus content not available in the base versions. Another line of code contains “NSW2.user”, with few other possibilities for what the abbreviation could stand for.

If Monster Hunter Wilds ships for the Switch 2, it may encounter performance obstacles. Even after Title Update 4, impressions are uneven about how much frame rates have improved. Owners of gaming PCs with capable hardware still see untapped potential on higher settings. On consoles, the game struggles on the Xbox Series S, which is the closest comparison to Nintendo’s handheld.

The Switch 2 has some tricks up its sleeve

An advantage the Switch 2 specs have over Microsoft’s lower-end gaming system is DLSS. The upscaler has smoothed out the visuals of demanding titles like Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Capcom has already employed the AI-powered technology in Street Fighter 6 to maintain a steady 60 fps during matches.

Another approach the developers could take is to design a port from the ground up. Monster Hunter Rise was created specifically for the original Switch, before it came to other systems. Yet, that seems less probable in this case, since Monster Hunter Wilds debuted on multiple platforms.

Despite the difficulties, Capcom is intent on supporting the latest Nintendo system. President Haruhiro Tsujimoto attributed the slow sales of Monster Hunter Wilds in Japan to the steep cost of the PS5. Meanwhile, he lauded the success of the Switch 2 in a country that typically embraces handhelds.