The West is definitely getting both the 3DS and Switch version. Capcom isn't localising MH stories just to then give the middle finger to the 3DS user base.
I expect cross-play and cross-save, just like with 3U, and some basic graphical upgrades. Hopefully, without input lag and frame rate issues this time.
Capcom should give those who bought the game from the JP eShop a steep discount (50%?). It would help them generate some goodwill after saying there won't be a G version and keeping quiet about the Switch version. Sales of XX show they can't nickel and dime their fans forever.
I think that they do publish them in Europe, but Capcom has such a tiny presence in that region that it's practically a necessity.
Capcom publishes MH in Europe, too.
Well Monster Hunter Stories is Nintendo published.
Is it? I can't find it on NA's site but the European pages list Capcom as the publisher.
I do think visually it will be upgraded. 3Us versions came out at the same time and was a shoddy port at best with the textures and input lag. This is a version releasing after the initial release for a new system. They aren't just going to advertise it as that 3DS game port in the west. It'll look nicer I bet.
You should be looking at the JP release dates. 3U for Wii U came out 1 year after the original 3DS release. They did spend more time on it than on P3rd HD which was basically just a PSP game running in an emulator but they also introduced control and frame rate problems. I just hope that was due to them rushing to make it in time for Wii U's launch and not a sign of how little they care.
More on topic:
What do you think the control scheme will be like? Similar to the WiiU port of TriG? Will touch screen be important? Motion controls like the Wii version of 3?
I expect the same control scheme as on 3DS, minus the 2nd screen stuff, of course. I do hope they will let us put item shortcuts at the edges of the screen.
Three of my biggest issues with Monster Hunter in the past have been:
1) Bad camera controls, first with the OG 3ds, then with the N3dsXL nub. Neither felt good or were easy to use. The Switch thankfully has 2 complete analogs so this issue should be gone.
2) Ugly 3ds screens making for a jaggy, visually confusing game. Sometimes, on the 3ds MH is just hard to make sense of visually. Switch should take care of this as well.
3) Player motivation(?) MH is almost Animal Crossing like in that you are dropped into the game and then you just hunt. I never got a sense of progression or narrative or more varied gameplay. I don't know when or how this will change.
More varied gameplay? Each weapon is its own thing. Each monster is its own new challenge.
The sense of progression is when you realise you can finally kick a monster's ass and are no longer getting flung across the area. Feels pretty good.