If you're an Xbox player who's been hyped for Monster Hunter Wilds ever since its epic first trailer dropped, the first question you probably typed into search is will Monster Hunter Wilds be on Game Pass. It makes total sense: Game Pass has turned $70 AAA launch day purchases into afterthoughts for millions of players, and the Monster Hunter series is infinitely better when you can jump into hunts with a full group of friends without everyone dropping full price first. I've been covering the Monster Hunter franchise for 7 years, and I've lost count of how many friends I've convinced to try the series just because a title popped up on Game Pass for free. I pulled together every official clue, industry pattern, and Capcom public statement to break down everything we know right now about Wilds' Game Pass status.
Official Clues That Answer If Monster Hunter Wilds Will Be on Game Pass
The biggest clue we have so far is that Monster Hunter Wilds was first announced during the Xbox Games Showcase, as part of Microsoft's first-party and exclusive partner lineup. Capcom has repeatedly highlighted Xbox as a key launch partner for Wilds, which is a big shift from past franchise entries that either launched first on Nintendo Switch or had equal promotion across all platforms. Microsoft almost always secures Game Pass access for titles they feature as headliners in their major showcases, even for third-party releases. Another clue comes from Phil Spencer's public comments earlier this year, where he named the Monster Hunter franchise as a top priority for expanding Japanese third-party support on Game Pass. We haven't gotten a direct yes or no from either company yet, but all the public positioning lines up perfectly for a Game Pass launch. For example, when Capcom brought Monster Hunter Rise to Xbox, they announced its Game Pass availability three months before launch, right alongside the console release date reveal. That means we can likely expect official confirmation around the same timeline for Wilds, whenever Capcom finally shares its exact launch date.
What Capcom's Past Game Pass Deals Tell Us About Wilds' Availability
To get a clearer picture, it helps to look at how Capcom has handled Game Pass releases for its biggest titles over the last five years, since so many fans are asking will Monster Hunter Wilds be on Game Pass. Back in 2023, Monster Hunter Rise launched on Xbox and PlayStation 18 months after its original Switch release, and it was available on Game Pass day one of that console launch. That move drove a 420% jump in Rise's global player count in just two weeks, according to Capcom's public sales data. Day one Game Pass access for Wilds would likely double its launch player count on Xbox platforms, which is a huge win for Capcom, since they make most of their long-term revenue from post-launch DLC purchases rather than initial game sales. Capcom has also released other big titles like Resident Evil Village, Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition, and Exoprimal on Game Pass, either day one or within a year of launch. The only recent Capcom AAA title that hasn't hit Game Pass is the Resident Evil 4 remake, and industry insiders say that's only because Sony signed a timed exclusivity deal for additional content for the first 12 months. There's no sign of a similar deal for Wilds, so that barrier doesn't exist here. I've talked to other franchise content creators, and most of us agree that the odds of Wilds coming to Game Pass at some point in its first year are well over 90%.
Pros and Cons of Monster Hunter Wilds Launching on Game Pass
Even if you're rooting for a Game Pass launch, it's important to know that it's not all upside, depending on how you like to play your games. I've broken down the biggest pros and cons based on how past Capcom Game Pass launches worked:
- Pro: No upfront cost to play with friends – If you already have an active Game Pass Core or Ultimate subscription, you won't have to pay $70 to jump into the game on launch day. That's especially helpful if you only plan to play with friends a few times a month, or if you're on a tight budget.
- Con: Possible slower post-launch content rollout – Some third-party titles on Game Pass see slight delays for minor updates and event content compared to standalone purchase versions, though this is very rare for Capcom games, who prioritize equal content access across all platforms.
- Pro: Bigger cross-platform player pool – More players jumping in day one means shorter queue times for random hunts, more people to join your session when your friends are offline, and a healthier overall player base that will stay active for years longer.
- Con: No pre-order bonus access if you only play via Game Pass – Most pre-order exclusive skins, helper items, and early access to pre-launch betas are only available to players who purchase the game directly, even if it launches day one on Game Pass.
That means you don't have to rush to pre-order right now, even if you're holding out hope for Game Pass access. You can wait for official confirmation closer to launch, and if it's not coming to the service, you can still grab a copy then without missing much outside of minor cosmetic pre-order bonuses. If you really want those pre-order items, you can always buy the game later and they'll be added to your account, even if you played the first few weeks via Game Pass.
What to Do If You Want to Play Wilds on Launch Day Regardless of Game Pass Status
Whether Wilds hits Game Pass day one or not, there are simple steps you can take right now to make sure you're ready to play as soon as it launches, without wasting money. First, set aside a small amount of money each month between now and launch, even if it's just $10. If the game doesn't come to Game Pass, you'll have enough saved up to buy it without dipping into your regular budget. If it does come to Game Pass, you can use that saved money to buy the deluxe DLC pack, or put it toward a few extra months of Game Pass Ultimate to get access to cloud gaming and other perks. Follow official Capcom and Xbox social channels for updates – that's where the first official confirmation will drop, usually 2 to 3 months before the game's launch date. Don't trust random leaks or unofficial accounts claiming to have confirmation, I've seen at least a dozen fake posts on Reddit and X over the last six months claiming the game is confirmed for Game Pass, and all of them have been debunked by official sources. If you have a group of friends who also want to play Wilds, consider splitting a Game Pass Ultimate family plan – you can add up to 4 people to one plan for less than $25 total a month, which works out to $5 per person, way cheaper than buying the game outright. Even if you end up buying the game separately, the family plan gives you access to hundreds of other titles to play between hunts.
At the end of the day, we don't have 100% official confirmation yet, but every sign we have right now points to a very high chance that will Monster Hunter Wilds be on Game Pass, either day one or within the first few months of launch. Capcom has made it clear they want to expand the Monster Hunter audience as much as possible with this entry, and Game Pass is the easiest way to get millions of new players to try the series for the first time. I'm personally crossing my fingers for day one access so I can jump into hunts with all my friends who don't want to drop full price for a new game, and I'll update this post the second any official news drops from Capcom or Xbox.