If you’re staring at your Steam library or scrolling through the PlayStation Store hoping to find a fresh download button for a Monster Hunter Wilds beta right now, I have some news. It’s a bit of a "good news, bad news" situation, honestly. The hype for Capcom’s latest behemoth hasn't slowed down, even though we are well into 2026.
But here is the thing: the actual open beta periods for Monster Hunter Wilds are long gone.
I know, it’s a bummer if you missed out. Those original tests back in late 2024 and early 2025 were absolutely massive. They gave us our first real taste of the Windward Plains and that terrifying lightning-charged flagship, Arkveld. If you're looking for the specific date of when does the monster hunter beta end, the final major open beta officially wrapped up on February 18, 2025.
Why Everyone is Still Searching for the Beta End Date
You might wonder why people are still frantically Googling this in 2026. It’s mostly because the game’s post-launch journey has been... well, let's call it "eventful."
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Capcom has been aggressive with Title Updates. We just saw a massive performance patch drop on January 27, 2026, aimed specifically at Steam users who were dealing with some bizarre VRAM usage bugs. When big updates like that happen, rumors of "new beta tests" or "trial weekends" usually start flying around Discord servers and Reddit.
Sometimes people confuse the Monster Hunter Now mobile events with the main console game. Monster Hunter Now actually just kicked off its "Happy Hunting New Year 2026" event, which has its own set of start and end times that feel a lot like a beta window.
When Did the Original Wilds Beta Actually Close?
To be crystal clear for the completionists out there, the Monster Hunter Wilds beta happened in a few distinct waves. It wasn't just one single event.
The very first "Early Access" wave was for PlayStation Plus members. That ended on October 30, 2024. Then, the first true cross-play open beta for PC, Xbox, and PS5 ended on November 3, 2024.
Capcom eventually realized they needed more data because the PC optimization was, frankly, a bit of a mess at the time. They ran a second Open Beta Test (OBT2) in February 2025. This was the one that felt like a mini-release. It had the full character creator, the Chatacabra tutorial, and the Doshaguma hunt.
That final beta was originally supposed to end on February 16, 2025. However, there was a major PSN outage during that first weekend. Capcom, being surprisingly chill about it, extended the test by a full day. So, the absolute final "end" for the Monster Hunter Wilds beta was February 18, 2025, at 6:59 PM PT.
Can You Still Play a Trial Version in 2026?
Since the beta is over, you have a few options if you’re still on the fence about buying the full game.
- The Steam Demo: Historically, Capcom leaves a "Demo" version on Steam or the console stores after the game has been out for a while. This isn't the "Beta" anymore—meaning your progress won't carry over to the main game the same way it did during the 2025 testing period.
- Monster Hunter Now Web Trial: If you just want the vibe of the hunt, there is a web trial version of the mobile game that doesn't require a download. It's obviously not the 4K RE Engine experience of Wilds, but it's a quick fix.
- Subscription Services: Keep an eye on the Xbox Game Pass "Coming Soon" lists for early 2026. While Wilds launched as a premium title, Capcom games have a habit of hitting subscription services about 12 to 18 months after release.
What Most People Get Wrong About Beta Rewards
I see this a lot on forums: "Can I still get the Stuffed Felyne Teddy Pendant?"
Basically, no. That specific cosmetic reward was a "thank you" for participating in the February 2025 beta. If you didn't download the beta and create a character before it ended on the 18th, that specific item is locked away.
That said, the Monster Hunter Wilds "Master Rank" expansion (often rumored as Iceborne or Sunbreak style) is the next big thing on the horizon for late 2026. There is a very high chance Capcom will run a new beta for that expansion.
If they follow the Monster Hunter World timeline, an expansion trailer usually drops about 11 months after the base game. Since we're in January 2026, the "Hopeium" is high. We might see an announcement for a Master Rank beta within the next few months.
Actionable Steps for Hunters in 2026
Stop looking for the old beta download; it won't work even if you have the files on your hard drive. Instead, do this:
- Check for the January 27 Patch: If you own the game on PC, make sure you've updated to version 1.040.03.01. It fixes the performance bugs that made the game feel like a beta for the last year.
- Watch the Anniversary Broadcast: Capcom usually holds a "Monster Hunter Anniversary" stream in March. This is where they’ll announce if a new trial or expansion beta is coming.
- Clear Your VRAM: If you're still getting crashes, look into the "VRAM Usage Improvements" settings added in the latest update.
The original beta is dead. Long live the hunt. Keep your eyes on official Capcom socials for the next expansion test, which is likely the next time you'll see a "beta end date" that actually matters.