Monster Hunter Risehas been a big success on Switch, and its legacy is only going to grow. Not only is the game coming to PC next year, it will also be receiving amassive expansion inMonster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak. Before either arrive, Capcom has been busy adding event quests for fans to unlock unique cosmetics based on its other properties, such asMega ManandOkami. Sometime this month the first cross-developer collab will drop featuringSonic the Hedgehog.
ThisMonster Hunter RiseandSonic the Hedgehogcollab is coming to celebrate Sonic’s 30th anniversary, but it also opens the door for more non-Capcom cosmetics and weapons going forward. PastMonster Huntergames have featured numerous crossovers, includingMetal Gear Solid,The Witcher, andAttack on Titan. However, its entries on Nintendo consoles are also rife with Nintendo-themed collabs, andRisecould use some following Sonic’s introduction.
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Mario - Super Mario
Mario remains the de facto mascot of Nintendo as a brand, and as a result it’s hard not to imagine him coming toMonster Hunter Risealongside Sonic. ASuper Mariocollab inMonster Hunter 4 Ultimatelet Palico wear Mario or Luigi outfits while wielding a hammer, and soon after a Felyne skin was added toSuper Mario Maker. However, even if this idea is feasible to try again, it would also make sense to have a hunter’s layered armor based on the portly plumber. It may not work as well to replace the model as withRise’sStreet Fightercollab adding Akuma, but players' kunai could be replaced with fireballs like Akuma’s Hadoken.
Link - The Legend of Zelda
Despite Mario’s frontman status, Link fromThe Legend of Zeldahas had more crossovers inMonster Hunter; which makes sense given his franchise’s fantasy sword-and-sorcery roots. A classic green tunic Link appears inMonster Hunter 4and4 Ultimate, wielding both the Master Sword and a bow. However,Generations Ultimateon Switch instead went with aBreath of the Wild-themed Link.The Legend of Zeldaalso has more unique Palico, with4 Ultimateadding aToon Link skin wielding the Wind WakerandGenerations Ultimateadding a Korok skin.
Any of these ideas could work again, though it would be fun to see Link from a different game likeMajora’s Maskget some love, perhaps wearing the Fierce Deity Mask. The introduction of rideable Palamute companions also opens the door to a more extreme change like Epona orBreath of the Wild’s Master Cycle Zero- though it might be silly to watch them climb up walls.
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Samus Aran - Metroid
Intergalactic bounty hunterSamus Aran is another character who has previously gracedMonster Hunter. Armor based on Samus wearing her Zero Suit and Varia Suit fromMetroid: Other Mappeared inMonsterHunter 4 UltimateandGenerations, including the Arm Cannon as a Light Bowgun. A modern take on Samus could be similar, though it’s easy to imagine armor advertisingMetroid Dreadrather thanOther Mgiven the latter title’s infamy. Based on Capcom’s modern collab design philosophy, a hunter’s kunai could even be replaced with Samus' missiles.
Lucina - Fire Emblem
Though many words have been said about the abundance ofFire Emblemcharacters and other"anime swordfighters" inSuper Smash Bros., collabs with Intelligent Systems' tactical RPG franchise fit well in Capcom’s monster-slaying universe. Lucina is perhaps the easiest choice as a recognizable, modern protagonist who isn’t a self-insert character akin to Robin, Corrin, or Byleth. However, the Falchion as a Long Sword or Sword and Shield could also be wielded by Marth (who appeared inMonster Hunter Generations), Chrom, or Alm - not to mention other aspects ofFire Emblem’s weapon triangle like axes that could sub in for a Hammer.
Of course, these are not the only options Capcom has to choose from regarding Nintendo-themed collabs inMonster Hunter Rise. There are plenty of protagonists who could fit as layered armor sets, including Captain Falcon fromF-Zeroor Pit fromKid Icarus. A hunter’s animal companions also have plenty of potential, such as aPalamute resembling Isabelle fromAnimal Crossingor a Palico replaced by Pikachu fromPokemon. After Sonic, the crossover possibilities are nigh-endless, and it will be worth seeing what comes during the wait forMonster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak.
Monster Hunter Riseis available now on Switch, with a PC port releasing Jul 19, 2025.Sunbreakreleases summer 2022.
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