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Monster Hunter Frontier GG hits Japan this spring
An updated version of Capcom's multiplatform MMORPG Monster Hunter Frontier G will hit Japan in the spring of 2014. Titled Monster Hunter Frontier GG, the upgrade will introduce the tonfa weapon type and new Felyne companion characters, among other additions. Monster Hunter Frontier G was originally launched as an update for the Xbox 360 and PC versions of Monster Hunter Frontier Online, then later hit the PlayStation 3 and Wii U as a standalone retail release. A PlayStation Vita port is also in the works. The GG update is set to arrive next year for all supported platforms. While many entries in the core Monster Hunter series have been released stateside, the online-only Frontier games are exclusive to Japan. A North American release for Monster Hunter Frontier GG has not been announced.
Monster Hunter Frontier G heads to Vita in Japan, cross-play with PS3
Monster Hunter Frontier G is coming to Vita in 2014 in Japan, and it will allow cross-play and data transfer between PS3 and Vita, Capcom announced at TGS. Monster Hunter Frontier G is slated to hit PS3 and Wii U this year, also in Japan. Monster Hunter Frontier is an MMO first launched in 2007 on PC, and in 2010 on Xbox 360. Frontier G is an update to that version and is similarly subscription-based, even on Vita. The Vita version will not include every level of the full console game, but it will have "several PS3 worlds," Siliconera reports. Capcom previously denied rumors that Monster Hunter 4 was on its way to Vita. Check out screens of Monster Hunter Frontier G on Vita on its official site.
Monster Hunter Frontier G captures new trailer
There's never enough Monster Hunter to go around in Japan, where PS3 and Wii U owners now have their sights locked on the newly-announced G ports of Monster Hunter Frontier. Capcom released a new trailer showcasing a few of the massive beasties awaiting intrepid explorers of Monster Hunter Frontier G, which in addition to new monsters serves up fresh armor, quests, weaponry, and weapon actions. Frontier G launches in Japan on November 20 for PS3, and December 11 for Wii U. Monthly fees are required but the game download is free, with physical copies going for ¥6,090 ($62).
Monster Hunter Frontier G exploring Wii U, PS3 this year in Japan
Capcom will bring Monster Hunter Frontier G to PS3 and Wii U later this year, according to a translation of the latest issue of Famitsu by Siliconera. The MMO is an update to 2007's Monster Hunter Frontier, which is already available for Xbox 360 and PC. Those two platforms should have recently received an update to Monster Hunter Frontier G2, according to the game's preview site. Even though the game will eventually be the same across all four platforms, PS3 and Wii U versions will have separate servers from PC and Xbox 360. Like Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Frontier G will be compatible with the Wii U's Game Pad and Pro Controllers. However, Siliconera notes that it will not make use of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk control configuration. Frontier G will be available as a free download with physical copies available for 6,090 yen ($62), and will require monthly fees. The game will launch on November 20 for PS3 and December 11 on Wii U.
Microsoft goes for broke in Japan with Xbox 360 Monster Hunter bundle
All right, so the Xbox is kind of tanking in Japan, and has been since day one. Microsoft has introduced a new bundle that seems custom-designed for reclaiming the shelf space that retailers have reportedly been taking away from the platform: one with the Monster Hunter Frontier logo on it. The 29,800 yen ($389) bundle includes a 250GB Xbox 360, a download code for Monster Hunter Frontier Online, and free armor and weapons. Here's where it gets rough: the code allows you to play until hunter rank 2, so ... it's really more of a demo. Still, there will be people who buy this whole thing (which costs the same as a plain 250GB Xbox) just for the in-game items.
Monster Hunter Frontier features improvised Dead Rising 2 weapons in Japan
We have a pretty good idea what boxing gloves with knives taped to them will do to zombies. But how about wyverns? Japanese gamers will get to find out exactly that when Dead Rising 2 launches there (September 30 on consoles, October 28 on PC). Those who purchase Dead Rising 2 will get vouchers to unlock Dead Rising 2-themed items in either the PC or Xbox 360 versions of Monster Hunter Frontier. Those items include the aforementioned knifegloves, a boomstick (a shotgun with a pitchfork on it), a moose head, and several different colors of the Terror is Reality racing suit. Now let's see some giant swords in Dead Rising 2!
MMO tops Japan's sales charts on the Xbox 360
In the world of console gaming, Japan tends to strongly support their hometown champions -- although whether or not the sprawling multinational corporate behemoths of Nintendo and Sony actually need that suppport is debatable. Microsoft's Xbox 360 has generally faced slow sales in the nation and a lack of popular games on the platform. But it's gotten a boost from the strong sales of Monster Hunter Frontier Online, an MMO exclusive to the platform that's made it to the top of the Japanese sale charts. Not out of all Xbox games -- out of the entire country. The newest installment of the long-running series is a port of a 2007 PC version, beating out several other strong contenders for the countrywide sales figures. Although the Monster Hunter series has been popular in Japan, there's no word on the MMO being released outside of the country. Still, it seems a good sign that you can sell good numbers for a ported game on an unpopular console -- something Square-Enix may well want to consider for the future.
Monster Hunter Frontier Online boosts Xbox 360 sales in Japan
The combination of new hardware and a "newish" Monster Hunter gave the Xbox 360 a considerable sales bump in Japan last week. Media Create reports that 17,000 Xboxes were sold in that time (versus 2,060 the previous week); 15,000 being the new model. That hardware sales rise coincides with the sale of 92,807 copies of Monster Hunter Frontier Online Beginner's Package. Neither the new Xbox owners nor the existing ones saw any need to round out their game collections with additional games -- there were no other 360 games among the top 50 bestselling software for the week. Though Xbox 360 sales were much higher last week relative to the console's typical performance in Japan, the clear winner was the DSi LL, thanks to a combination of several factors: a price cut, the release of three new colors of the system, and Love Plus+, the latest version of Konami's breakout hit dating game ... which also coincided with three more special-edition DSi LL systems. See the rest of the top ten bestsellers after the break. Update: changed "Freedom" to "Frontier" in the headline. [Image credit: GAME Watch]
