Ready for another story, Rider? During the July Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase, Capcom revealed that the Monster Hunter Stories 3 release date is on the way, inviting you on another grand adventure with all of our favorite monsties.
If you're unfamiliar, the Monster Hunter Stories games are a series of spin-off RPGs set in the same world as the iconic Monster Hunter games, but featuring a drastically different gameplay focus. Instead of… Well, hunting monsters, your main goal here is to act as a Rider, hatching eggs, raising monsters, and fighting alongside them in turn-based battles as you unravel an epic story.
The first Monster Hunter Stories game released globally on the Nintendo 3DS back in 2017, receiving widespread acclaim and even netting nominations at The Game Awards. It later saw ports to Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PC, and was followed by 2021's Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin on both Nintendo Switch and PC.
Now, we can look forward to the next installment, entitled Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, where we take to the skies as the sole Rathalos Rider in Azuria in hopes of protecting our home from a devastating threat.
What's the Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection release window?
Monster Hunter Stories 3 release date is set for March 13, 2026. Capcom revealed this during the September 2025 Nintendo Direct, which also showcased the exciting, monster-taming gameplay that you can expect.
This followed the announcement of the 2026 release window during the July 2025 Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase, which gave us our first glimpse of the action.
Is there a Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection trailer?
Yes, there are multiple Monster Hunter Stories 3 trailers. You can check out the most recent trailer from the September 2025 Nintendo Direct, which gives a great introduction to the world that the game is set in, the new threats that we'll face, and the adorable monster-taming gameplay that makes this series so special. It also showcases the stunning new visuals that are certainly a big step-up over its predecessors.
Prior to that, we also got an announcement trailer back in July, which you can watch to find out a little more background on the world.
What's the Monster Hunter Stories 3 gameplay like?
Monster Hunter Stories 3 once again takes place in Azuria, where we take the role of the sole Ratholos Rider. With the Encroachment threatening to drive our people out of house and home and the divide bringing our two kingdoms to the brink of war, it looks like it's going to be up to us to team up with the monsties and save the day.
Throughout the game, you'll get the chance to explore a sprawling world inhabited by all sorts of monsters. But you won't have to do it all on foot - by bonding with different monsties you'll be able to use their unique abilities to traverse the land, climbing cliffs, swimming across water, and flying through the air as you please.
Beyond that, you'll be able to raise your monsites, bond with them, and work together to fight of any threats that stand in your way as you seek to save your home. Like the previous games in the Stories series, combat looks to be a turn-based affair, with you facing off against brutish beasties with a team of both hunters and monsters.
That's everything we've got on the Monster Hunter Stories 3 release date for now. It really looks like it's shaping up to be one of the best RPGs in 2026, and we can't wait. But, of course, this isn't the only exciting Switch game we're looking forward to - so be sure to check out our list of upcoming Switch games to see what other adventures are on the horizon.