Honestly, picking a game version used to be simple. You’d walk into a store, grab the box with the coolest art, and go home. Now? Capcom has turned the release of Monster Hunter Wilds into a math problem. With the game having launched on February 28, 2025, across PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, we’ve had plenty of time to see which version actually holds its weight and which is just fluff.
You’ve got the Standard, the Deluxe, and the "my wallet is hurting" Premium Deluxe. If you’re staring at the digital storefront wondering if "Wyverian Ears" are worth an extra forty bucks, you aren't alone. Let's break down the monster hunter wilds edition differences so you don't end up regretting your purchase.
The Standard Edition: Just the Hunt
This is the baseline. It costs $69.99. For most people, this is honestly all you need. You get the full base game. Every monster, every weapon, and the entire sprawling story set in the Forbidden Lands is right there.
There are no "gameplay" restrictions here. You aren't losing out on harder monsters or hidden maps by going the cheap route. If you managed to snag a physical copy, there’s even a Steelbook version floating around for about $75, featuring the flagship monster, Arkveld. It’s pretty, but it’s the same disc.
If you pre-ordered this (or any version), you got the Guild Knight Layered Armor and the Hope Charm. If you didn't? You aren't missing much. Layered armor is just a skin, and the Hope Charm is a tiny stat boost that you'll replace within the first three hours of play anyway.
The Deluxe Edition: Fashion Hunter Starter Kit
The Deluxe Edition jumps up to $89.99. Is it worth the extra $20? That depends on how much you care about your Seikret looking like it’s wearing a tiny soldier hat.
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Basically, the "Deluxe Pack" is a bundle of 16 cosmetic items. You get the Feudal Soldier layered armor for your hunter and the Felyne Ashigaru set for your Palico. It’s a very "Old Japan" vibe. You also get some gestures like "Battle Cry" and "Uchiko," which are fun for about five seconds in the gathering hub before you realize nobody is looking at you.
One thing to keep in mind: you can actually buy these items separately later. If you only want the Fencer’s Eyepatch, you don’t need the whole $90 bundle.
The Premium Deluxe: The $110 Question
This is where things get a bit wild. The Premium Deluxe Edition costs $109.99. It includes everything in the Deluxe version plus a "Cosmetic DLC Pass."
This pass covers two extra packs that rolled out over the Spring and Summer of 2025.
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- Cosmetic DLC Pack 1: Includes the Noblesse layered armor (very fancy, very gold) and some BGM tracks.
- Cosmetic DLC Pack 2: Features the "Cypurrpunk" set, which looks exactly like it sounds—futuristic, neon, and slightly out of place in a desert.
- Premium Bonus: This is where the infamous "Wyverian Ears" live. You also get a 2025 recording of "Proof of a Hero."
Look, $110 is a lot of money. If you’re the type of player who spends 400 hours in every Monster Hunter game, maybe the variety is nice. But for the average person? You're paying nearly the price of a second game just for outfits.
Save Data Bonuses: Don't Forget Your Past
Capcom actually rewards you for being a veteran, but they don't do a great job of explaining it in the shop. If you have save data from Monster Hunter: World or Iceborne on your system, you get free gear.
- MH World Save: Felyne Leather armor and the Acorn Spade weapon for your Palico.
- Iceborne Save: Felyne Duffel armor and the Trekker Pickaxe.
It’s a nice touch. It doesn't matter which edition of Wilds you buy; as long as the save data is there, the cat gets the goods.
What Most People Get Wrong About the DLC
There’s a common misconception that the Premium Deluxe Edition is like a "Season Pass" for new monsters. It is not.
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Capcom has a long history of releasing new monsters—like the return of Mizutsune or the massive Gogmazios in the Title Updates—for free. Whether you bought the $70 version or the $110 version, you get the new monsters at the same time. The "Premium" label only applies to the clothes your character wears while fighting them.
The real expansion—the "Master Rank" or "G-Rank" equivalent—likely won't even be announced until later in 2026. And guess what? You'll have to pay for that separately regardless of which edition you own now.
How to Decide Which One to Buy
If you're still on the fence, ask yourself one question: Do I care about how my hunter looks in the first ten hours?
In Monster Hunter, the whole point is killing monsters to make armor out of their skin. Usually, the armor you craft looks way cooler than the DLC stuff anyway. However, if you really love the "Feudal Japan" aesthetic or desperately want those Wyverian Ears, the bundles save you a few bucks compared to buying the items individually.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your library: Make sure your World or Iceborne saves are uploaded to the cloud or on your local drive before you start the game to trigger the Palico bonuses.
- Start with Standard: You can always "upgrade" to the Deluxe or Premium Deluxe later on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, or Steam. There is zero discount for buying it all upfront.
- Ignore the "Hope Charm": If you missed the pre-order, don't pay extra to a reseller for a code. The charm is functionally useless by the time you hit the second map.
- Wait for the real expansion: Save that extra $40. You're going to want it when the massive 2026 expansion eventually drops.
Buying the right version is about knowing what you value. For most, the base game is a masterpiece on its own. Everything else is just expensive wallpaper.