How to play the Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak demo

By Rebecca Spear
last updated

Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak
Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak (Image credit: Capcom)

Capcom's Monster Hunter Rise was a big hit when it released in early 2021, providing new monsters and locations to battle in. Thankfully, the upcoming Sunbreak Expansion is paid DLC that brings a huge amount of additional content for players to enjoy like additional locations and monsters. Players can get a taste for this new content now that the Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak demo dropped. Whether you're looking forward to these additional monsters and locales or are on the fence about whether to get it, playing the demo should help you out. Here's how to play it on Switch.

How to download the Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak Expansion Demo

The Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak DLC brings additional monsters, locales, and a new central hub to the game. Within the demo, players can link up in teams of four, take on the flagship monster, and can replay the demo quests as much as they'd like.

  1. From the Switch's main menu, tap on the Nintendo eShop icon.
  2. Scroll up to Browser/Search.Source: iMore

Fire Emblem Warriors Three Hopes Demo Nintendo Eshop (Image credit: iMore)

Fire Emblem Warriors Three Hopes Search Browser (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Type in Monster Hunter Rise and select Accept.
  2. Click on the game.Source: iMore

Monster Hunter Rise Search (Image credit: iMore)

Monster Hunter Rise (Image credit: Capcom)
  1. Tap Download Demo.
  2. Select Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak Demo.Source: iMore

Monster Hunter Rise Download Demo (Image credit: iMore)

Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak Download Demo Sunbreak (Image credit: iMore)
  1. Select OK.
  2. Press the Home button, located on the right side of your Switch or controller to go back to the main menu.Source: iMore and Rebecca Spear / iMore

Fire Emblem Warriors Three Hopes Demo Ok (Image credit: iMore)

New Pokemon Snap Home Button Cropped (Image credit: Rebecca Spear / iMore)

When the demo finishes downloading, you'll be able to access it. There are tutorials for people who are rusty or haven't played the original game. Additionally, players can team up in groups of four to take on monsters and can play quests over and over again.

Requirements for accessing Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak in the full game

During the Capcom Showcase, it was revealed that there are two things players must do in order to access the Sunbreak DLC from the full game. Firstly, they need to have completed the 7 Star Hub Quest "Serpent Goddess of Thunder" and they need to have at least 13GB of free space to make room for the expansion. You might want to upgrade your microSD card if you don't have enough room. The full Sunbreak Expansion releases June 30, 2022 with the base option selling for $40.

Monster Hunter RiseThe base game

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Monster Hunter Rise


Haven't gotten into the monster hunting fun just yet? You'll need the base game in order to enjoy the expansion.

Rebecca Spear
Rebecca Spear
Gaming Editor

Gaming aficionado Rebecca Spear is iMore's dedicated gaming editor with a focus on Nintendo Switch and iOS gaming. You’ll never catch her without her Switch or her iPad Air handy. If you’ve got a question about Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, or just about any other Nintendo series check out her guides to help you out. Rebecca has written thousands of articles in the last six years including hundreds of extensive gaming guides, previews, and reviews for both Switch and Apple Arcade. She also loves checking out new gaming accessories like iPhone controllers and has her ear to the ground when it comes to covering the next big trend.