Monster Hunter Wildswill be released in February 2025, so players interested in the game will likely want to understand thedifferences between the game’s four editions.Monster Hunter Wildspromises to introduce some exciting new elements to the series, including a world with a constantly changing climate.Wildswill also have larger areaswith more of an open-world feel, though the game still has different, distinct regions.
As expected,Monster Hunter Wilds’ trailerhas also shown off some cool new monster designs that are as unique as they are intimidating. Like many modern games, there are multiple price points to choose from with somewhat obscure labels. It’s not readily apparent what the difference between “Deluxe” and “Premium Deluxe” is, or why the latter is worth $20 more than the former. WhileMonster Hunterthankfully seems to be avoiding theMaddenroute of inflating prices with in-game currency, that doesn’t mean all players will thinkMonster Hunter’s additional content is worth the higher price tag.
Monster Hunter Wilds Standard Edition
The Standard Edition Of Monster Hunter Wilds Costs $69.99
Monster Hunter Wilds’ Standard Edition is the baselineby which one can judge the rest of the editions. For $69.99, players get a copy of the game, and two small DLC add-ons if they pre-order before the game’s release on July 04, 2025. Subtracting the price of the Standard Edition from any other copy of the game is a good way to determine if the additional content is really worth what it’s priced at.
Talisman: Hope Charm*
*Pre-Order Bonus
Thepre-order bonuses for the Standard Edition ofMonster Hunter Wildsinclude a Hope Charm Talisman and the Guild Knight Layered Armor set. According to the product page on theXbox Store, the armor is purely cosmetic, so there is no in-game advantage to having it (besides looking cool). The Hope Charm is a Talisman, though what buff it offers isn’t specified. Both items say that they may become available in the game at some point, which was true for the pre-order bonusesinMonster Hunter WorldandRise. This means players who buy later shouldn’t miss out on anything.
Monster Hunter Wilds Steelbook Edition
The Steelbook Edition Of Monster Hunter Wilds Costs $74.99
TheMonster Hunter WildsSteelbook Edition isessentially the same as the Standard Edition except that it comes inside a sturdy metal casewith gorgeous splash art across both sides.The Steelbook Edition costs $74.99, with that extra five dollars going toward the new case. Collectors of physical media will probably see this as a pretty good deal, while those who are just interested in playing the game can confidently skip the Steelbook Edition knowing they aren’t missing any additional in-game content.
Physical Steelbook Case
The Steelbook Edition has the same pre-order bonuses as the Standard Edition, so the case really is the only difference here. Some steelbook cases are treated as valuable collectibles. For instance, the case forFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirthhas been sold for $26.99 oneBayover 60 times. That said, the collectibility of a given steelbook has a lot to do with what game it is for and the quality of the art on it. Players shouldn’t bank on being able to resell their steelbooks for a profit. This edition is mostly for players who want a cool case.
Monster Hunter Wilds Deluxe Edition
The Deluxe Edition Of Monster Hunter Wilds Costs $89.99
The Deluxe Edition ofMonster Hunter Wildsincludes boththe base game and 16 add-ons. The Deluxe Edition costs $89.99, meaning these add-ons are being valued at $20. Whether or not they’re worth that much is up to the player, but it’s worth noting that none of these add-ons provide any sort of advantage in the game. While it’s nice to seeMonster Hunter Wildsisn’t engaging in any predatory monetization or pay-to-win practices, that also means the value of these items is much more nebulous than something like a DLC expansion would be.
Pendent: Avian Wind Chime
The items included are mostly cosmetics either for characters or companions like Felynes and Seikrets. There are also a few unique gestures and chat stickers that can spice up in-game communication. Like the pre-order bonuses (which are also included in this edition), these add-ons all say that they may be available in another form at some point. This means players who might just want one or two of the add-ons may want to wait, instead of buying them bundled with items they don’t want at what is likely a higher price point.
Monster Hunter Wilds Premium Deluxe Edition
The Premium Deluxe Edition Of Monster Hunter Wilds Costs $109.99
Monster Hunter Wilds’ Premium Deluxe Edition is the most expensive of the bunch at $109.99. This means that it is valued at $40 higher than the base game. Because this version includes everything in the Deluxe Edition, its content could be judged as being worth $20. However, that assumes the buyer is ceding the fact that the Deluxe Edition content is also worth $20, which some players might not agree with.
Monster Hunter Wilds Cosmetic DLC Pass
In addition to everything in the cheaper editions of the game,Monster Hunter Wilds’ Premium Deluxe Edition also comes with some profile cosmetics, pointed ears for the player’s character, and a new option for background music. Additionally, players will get aMonster Hunter WildsCosmetic DLC Pass which will provide them with some future cosmetics. Again, all of these add-ons say they might become available at some point in a different form and are not necessarily exclusive to this version of the game.
Of all the versions,the value here is probably the most tenuous. Apart from a few items, this version is mostly charging $20 for the promise of future items that may or may not be any good. Players who buy this version of the game don’t just have to wait for what they’re paying for, they also might end up disliking it when they eventually get it.
What Monster Hunter Wilds Edition Is Right For You?
The Standard Edition Of Monster Hunter Wilds Is The Safest Option
Putting a price on cosmetic items in a game can be tricky. Some players see a lot of value in getting to customize their avatar and may be willing to pay a bit extra for some additional options right out of the gate. That said, unless multiple of the listed cosmetic items really speak to a player, it doesn’t seem worth it to buy either the Deluxe or Premium Deluxe Editions ofMonster Hunter Wilds. This is especially true since players will likely have the option to buy the one or two they actually like individually at some point.
Monster Hunter Wilds Hands-On Preview: The Most Approachable Franchise Entry Yet
Screen Rant traveled to Osaka to go hands-on with Monster Hunter Wilds and left impressed with how detailed and accessible the upcoming title is.
The value of the Premium Deluxe Edition is especially suspect since the bulk of its upcharge is unpreviewed content. It would be one thing if the unreleased content was a promised expansion that actually added new gameplay, but since it’s only cosmetic items, there’s a lot bigger risk that players won’t be happy with the extra content. Even the biggestMonster Hunterfans likely don’t like all cosmetic options equally.
The safest bet here is to just go with the Standard Edition ofMonster Hunter Wilds. Without more substantial DLC or any exclusive items, the Deluxe Editions don’t offer enough to be worth it to most players. The Steelbook Edition does seem like a good deal for any players who like physical media since the extra five dollars goes towards something much more tangible and is a more reasonable up-charge.
