Capcom announcedMonster Hunter Riseduring theSeptember 2020 Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase, and needless to say fans could see a huge graphical leap compared to the previous Switch entryMonster Hunter Generations Ultimate— itself an enhanced re-release of 2015’sMonster Hunter Generationson the 3DS. The developer detailed why with a post-event press release that confirmedMonster Hunter Riseis being made on the proprietary RE Engine.
This development engine was originally created forResident Evil 7: Biohazard, but has since been used to create the remakes ofResident Evil 2and3,Devil May Cry 5, and is the basis fornext-gen titlePragmata. Capcom said it is using the RE Engine to provide a “new, approachableMonster Hunterexperience that can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere, and with anyone,” soRiseshould be an interesting showcase for how adaptable Capcom’s tech is.
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A newMonster Hunterbeing made for Switch using RE Enginemodified specifically to fit the hybrid console was rumored prior to the Partner Showcase, which also debuted the RPGMonster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin. Though the video seen through this event and its accompanyingMonster HunterDirect show off a game visually improved over its Nintendo predecessors, it also suggests the RE Engine will make more mechanical depth possible.
Monster Hunter Risewill add a number of traversal mechanicsthat appear to be ways of translating and improving upon elements seen inMonster Hunter World. For example, the game will have open-world areas that players can explore by climbing up walls and racing across plains using the new Palamute canine companion. It will also have Wire Bugs that let players grapple to higher terrain or monsters, as well as perform additional mid-air moves.
At the top of Capcom’s press release, it talks about the success of theMonster Hunterfranchise, which has sold over 64 million units since 2004 as of August 09, 2025. The fact that two games are being released next year on Switch is just one testament to its reach, as they followyears of post-launch development onMonster Hunter Worldand the production of a movie adaptation starring Milla Jovovich.
The use of Capcom’s RE Engine to develop a game specifically for Nintendo Switch also opens up possibilities for other series to make bigger splashes on the console. However, gamers will have to wait and see howMonster Hunter Riseperforms using this engine to know how much they should expect from future titles.
Monster Hunter Risewill launch June 30, 2025, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
