Back in the late 2000s and early 2010s, Nintendo was basically the home turf for Monster Hunter fans. Big series entries like Monster Hunter 3 and Monster Hunter 4 dropped on the Wii and 3DS, while spin-offs like Monster Hunter Generations and Monster Hunter Stories also lived on handhelds.
Fast-forward to 2025, and things have changed. Monster Hunter has gone multi-platform—World, Rise, and next year’s Monster Hunter Wilds proved Capcom isn’t tied down to one console anymore. Still, the Nintendo Switch has a couple of gems for Monster Hunter players… and one of them is free to play for a few days this week.
Nintendo Switch Online Subscribers Can Try Stories 2 for Free
Nintendo has announced a free game trial for Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, one of the franchise’s most beloved spin-offs. Starting August 22 and running until August 28, Nintendo Switch Online members can download and play the full game at no extra cost.
The downside? It’s not a global offer. This free trial is region-locked to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K. If you’re in the U.S. or Canada, sadly—you’re out of luck.
Can’t Access the Full Trial? There’s Still a Demo
If you’re not in one of the eligible regions, don’t completely write the game off. Monster Hunter Stories 2 has a free demo on both Nintendo Switch and PC (via Steam).
- The demo covers the opening hours—around 3 to 5 hours of gameplay.
- Progress carries over if you decide to buy the full game later.
- Unlike the full trial, you can replay it as much as you want.
Weirdly, the demo isn’t available on PlayStation platforms at all.
Monster Hunter Stories 2 is Also on Sale
Not only is the game temporarily free (in certain regions), it’s also on sale for everyone. Right now, the Deluxe Edition of Monster Hunter Stories 2 is 50% off on the Nintendo eShop, dropping the price to just $25.
If you’re new to the spin-off series, check out the Monster Hunter Stories Deluxe Collection, which bundles both Stories 1 and Stories 2 for only $35. That’s a killer deal for hundreds of hours of gameplay.
Why Now is the Best Time to Play
Capcom recently revealed that Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection is coming out next year. The new entry promises a darker tone, a standalone story, and cross-platform release—including the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
While Stories 3 will be beginner-friendly, jumping into Stories 2: Wings of Ruin now is a great way to get familiar with the gameplay loop, bond with fan-favorite monsters, and be ready for whatever twists the sequel throws at us.
Wrapping Up
- If you’re in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, or the U.K.? Fire up your Switch and grab the Monster Hunter Stories 2 free trial before August 28.
- If you’re elsewhere, check out the free demo and maybe pick up the game while it’s half off.
- And either way, playing Stories 2 now is the perfect warm-up before Monster Hunter Stories 3 lands next year.
Even if you’re a die-hard mainline Monster Hunter fan, this spinoff is surprisingly deep, with a fun monster-bonding system and plenty of JRPG flavor. Definitely worth checking out.
FAQ’s
From August 22–28, 2025, for Nintendo Switch Online members in select regions.
Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.K. Players in the U.S. and Canada do not have access to the promotion.
Yes. A demo is available on both Nintendo Switch and PC, covering 3–5 hours of gameplay.
Currently 50% off on the eShop — $25 for the Deluxe Edition, $35 for the Deluxe Collection with both games.
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