Monster Hunter Wilds Can Borrow This Strategy From The Sims To Make A Switch 2 Port

The news that Monster Hunter Wilds will not be released on the Nintendo Switch, focusing instead on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, is a bit disappointing to many fans. Monster Hunter Rise had great success on the Switch, showing that the console can handle the series, but Capcom is prioritizing a higher-quality experience for this new title. However, there are more options than just removing a Nintendo port.

The recent news about the Switch 2 adds another possible platform for Monster Hunter Wilds. Even if that is too much, The Sims series has often benefited from adapting games for specific platforms. Rather than trying to force Monster Hunter Wilds onto the Switch 2, Capcom could consider having a different studio create a unique game just for that console. This is similar to how Rockstar Games handled some of its titles or how Bethesda allowed Obsidian to develop Fallout: New Vegas.

Monster Hunter Wilds Isn't Coming To The Switch 2 Right Now

Confirmed By The Developer

Many Nintendo fans hoped that Monster Hunter Wilds would eventually come to a future Nintendo console, especially after the success of Monster Hunter Rise on the Switch. However, Capcom has made it clear that the company currently has no plans to release Monster Hunter Wilds on the Nintendo Switch. This is disappointing for some fans, but it makes sense, given the ambitious nature of the new game.

Capcom wants to use cutting-edge technology to create the best possible experience, focusing on quality graphics and performance for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Because of this, the game might be too demanding to run on the Switch 2 without losing quality. During a recent meeting with shareholders, Capcom explained that it wants to take full advantage of new technology to improve the game's visual and performance standards.

This decision mirrors the company's past practices, like not bringing Monster Hunter World to the original Switch, which allowed the game to maintain high quality on other platforms. While portable gaming is exciting, Capcom doesn’t believe it should be prioritized for Monster Hunter Wilds. It also wants to avoid issues with poorly optimized ports, which have been a problem, as seen with Mortal Kombat 1 on Switch and other cloud-based games.

The Sims Ports Used To Be Entirely New Games

The Sims Did It right

Before The Sims 3, EA's approach was not to create direct copies of its PC games for consoles. Instead of trying to make a smaller version of the PC game, EA embraced the limitations of console hardware and created entirely new experiences for each platform. This led toa variety of unique spin-off Sims games, each with its own style. This is something Monster Hunter Wilds can do.

For example, the console versions of the first Sims games included special story modes that turned the life simulation into a kind of RPG, complete with pre-built houses, roommates, and specific goals. This was quite different from the open-ended gameplay of the PC version. The console games also had two-player mini-games and a different building system that wasn't as flexible. EA aimed to attract players by offering something new instead of just a lesser version of the PC game.

These changes didn’t just affect the game’s technology; they also changed how players engaged with it, making it a fresh experience for console fans. As a result, many of these console games developed their own fan base. Handheld versions of Sims games, like those for Game Boy Advance, Nintendo DS, and PSP, also showed EA's creativity in moving away from the PC format. For instance, The Sims2 on PSP was not just a simpler version; it was an adventure game with a storyline about a cult of cows and a villain who controls minds.

Instead of simply porting the PC experience to smaller screens, EA used the limitations of handheld devices as an opportunity for innovation, proving that a different development strategy can be successful and rewarding. This kind of porting could come back and really help the Monster Hunter series and other games that want to end up on the Switch 2.

Ports Don't Always Have To Be Perfect To Be Good

Some Are Good Just As They Are

While some may be disappointed that there isn’t a direct port, it’s important to note that many beloved games aren’t just simple copies of their original versions. Instead, they provide unique experiences suited to their specific platforms. Monster Hunter Wilds developers don't need to port their game over perfectly.

Even if the developers have to remove some monsters, events, or pieces of the story, it's still Monster Hunter Wilds. The Sims 3 on consoles was seen as the first time the PC version of The Sims made it over to consoles, but there was a lot changed and missing. However, it was done so well that it wasn't so big of an issue that the games stopped selling.

This suggests that a potential Monster Hunter game for the Switch 2 could still be successful by focusing on creating a unique and special experience, even if it doesn’t have the same graphical quality or every single piece of the mainline game. Nintendo Switch 2 isn't going to compete with other current-gen consoles in terms of power and processing, it's just a way to play Nintendo games. Players shouldn't expect high-end gaming there.

Monster Hunter Wilds Should Come To Switch 2, Even With Major Changes

We Want To See A Port

The release of the Nintendo Switch 2 gives Capcom a great chance to rethink whether to make a Monster Hunter Wilds game for Nintendo systems. While it makes sense that the company wants to utilize the best technology on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, Nintendo's new console offers a chance to create a different and exciting Monster Hunter game that takes full advantage of its advanced features.

The Switch 2 has more power and capabilities than the original Switch, so it can support a more ambitious Monster Hunter project. This isn’t just about making a high-end game work on lesser hardware; it's about creating something original that can stand out, like how different studios approach their game series. With the Switch 2, a Monster Hunter game can be designed specifically for this system, using its strengths to provide a fresh and innovative experience for fans.

This is an opportunity for Capcom to try new gameplay styles, storytelling, or visual designs that fit the Switch 2. Capcom could attract more players and offer a whole new reason to come to the Monster Hunter Wilds experience by taking this route. Instead of seeing a version of the Switch 2 as just a simple port, it can be viewed as a new take on the series that adds value.

Source: Capcom