Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate (Switch) Review Roundup

Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, the Nintendo Switch version of the 3DS game, is out now, and the critics' reviews are rolling in. Generations Ultimate doesn't stray far from the original, and little has been done to lower the barrier-to-entry to the game (it can be punishingly hard at times), but there have been new additions that do add some freshness to this port.

For starters, you'll have access to two new Hunting Styles (Alchemy and Valor), an additional Elder Dragon, and a new endgame boss. You'll also be able to go on "G Rank" quests that task you with hunting more difficult versions of enemies. Then, there's the crossover content: players can access armor based on Link's Champion's Tunic from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and you're also able to craft a Korok costume for your Palico.

So, are the game's additions and appearance on the Switch enough to warrant its re-release? We've collected a sample of the critics' impressions below. For a broader look at the game's critical reception, be sure to visit GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

• Game: Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate
• Developer: Capcom
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch
• Release date: August 28
• Price: $60 / £50

GameSpot -- 7/10

"Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate game is not for the faint of heart. It is a commitment, and it's not something that you genuinely play casually. You can sink dozens of hours into the game and still not get close to conquering the full set of monsters contained within. For those that are down for such an extraordinary adventure, there's more than enough here to thrill and delight. Just know what you're getting into. You will struggle to understand the basics if this is your first Monster Hunter game, but there are incredible rewards should you make it over every one of its initial hurdles."
--Daniel Starkey [Full review]

IGN -- 8.3/10

"Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate brings the majority of the series' monsters into one package for a lengthy and exciting hunting extravaganza. While it feels dated in some ways post-Monster Hunter: World, it’s a great farewell tour for the old style of the franchise. If you can stomach the pacing problems and obtuse menu systems, it's a worthwhile and challenging trek through the history of Monster Hunter."
--Steven Petite [Full review]

US Gamer -- 4.5/5

"While it comes in the form of a no-frills port, Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate exists as the most thorough exploration of Monster Hunter to date. If you can get over its 3DS-era visuals, you're in for a seemingly endless experience you can easily devote a lifetime to—and one worth devoting a lifetime to. Whether you're new to the series, someone who started with Monster Hunter World, or just a fan of the previous 3DS games, you're bound to get addicted once MHGU gets its hooks into you. Just don't be afraid to ask for help."
--Bob Mackey [Full review]

Fandom -- 4.5/5

"Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate has some of the best kineticism and game feel of any game you can play on handheld consoles right now. Its graduation from 3DS to Switch is nothing short of mind-blowing. Granted, World introduced many quality of life improvements to the series as a whole, but compared to Generations Ultimate, it barely scratches the surface of what Monster Hunter has to offer."
--Dom Peppiatt [Full review]

Nintendo Life -- 9.5/10

"Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate may lack the smoothness and accessibility that made Monster Hunter: World such a smash hit, but it more than makes up for it by being a sort of 'greatest hits' collection of the high points of the series, giving you hundreds of hours of content to play through. Couple this with the HD visuals, easy to use multiplayer, and the ability to play the full experience on the go, and you’ve got a game that will easily appeal to both veterans and newcomers alike. It may not necessarily represent the future of the series, but Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate is an utterly fantastic experience in its own right and a worthy follow up to the 3DS original, and one that no Switch owner will want to be without."
--Mitch Vogel [Full review]

Press Start -- 8/10

"Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate builds upon the already comprehensive celebration of the Monster Hunter franchise that was established in the original Generations. There is heaps to do here regardless of whether you’ve played before, and the sheer volume of content on offer here is staggering. Yes, it’s slightly less easy to pick up and play than Monster Hunter World, but what Generations Ultimate lacks in polish and pizazz it makes up for with unbridled depth and longevity."
--James Mitchell [Full review]

The Daily Dot -- 2.5/5

"While it was clear that Monster Hunter: World would never come to Nintendo Switch, Generations Ultimate is far too much of a compromise. The lack of guidance for newcomers is borderline insulting, and the main draw is content that dedicated fans might have experienced years ago. Playing on Switch does feel great compared to older titles, but I can’t call it enough. At the end of the day, Generations Ultimate is a greatest-hits collection that doesn’t go out of the way to re-contextualize why the hits are so great in the first place. While it still provides the thrills that made Monster Hunter huge, it’s hard to argue the series isn’t ready for something else."
--AJ Moser [Full review]