Monster-Hunter-Tri
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Amazon offering $10 credit with Monster Hunter 3
If you're absolutely certain that you want to do the following two things: Buy Monster Hunter Tri Buy $10 worth of other things from Amazon in the near future Good news! The retailer is now offering a free $10 credit with purchases of both the standard edition and Classic Controller Pro bundle of Monster Hunter Tri. For some reason, it's not listed on Amazon's $10 Bonus Offers page, but the game's page mentions the deal. In addition to that bonus, the standard edition is currently priced at $44.99, so you'd effectively be getting Monster Hunter for $34.99. [Via GoNintendo]
Capcom Q3 2009 financials reveal monster sales of Monster Hunter Tri
If you're anything like us, you immediately tore into the recently released Capcom Q3 2009 financial report looking for the number of Mario Party Fushigi no Korokoro Catcher arcade machines the company sold in the last nine months of 2009 (80, in case you were wondering) only to find a wealth of information about the publisher's other games. For instance, worldwide sales (sell-in, not sell-through, mind you) of Bionic Commando crept over 700k, while Monster Hunter Tri moved 1.15 million in Japan alone -- we worry deeply for the monsters of Japan, being hunted relentlessly by all of those people. At this point in the post, we'd like to point out that these numbers are for the nine months ending December 31, 2009, and thusly don't reflect January's sales. Also, things are about to get really boring. The Japanese publisher is reporting a 5.9 percent increase in net sales for the nine month period, and boasts an 84.3 percent increase in "operating income compared to the same term in [Fiscal Year 2008]," which is to say sales increased by ¥49,987 million from the same time period last year (netting ¥1,731 million). Whew - glad we got through that! Capcom itself doesn't ruminate on the numbers too much either, saying "only a few flagship software titles were released from our home video game division, while both arcade operations and content expansion were weakening." Unfortunately for us, there's still no word on the US arrival of Mario Party Fushigi No Korokoro Catcher. Source -- Capcom 3rd Quarter Financial Results (warning: PDF) Source -- Capcom 3rd Quarter Financial Results press release
Monster Hunter Tri supports Wii Speak, bundled with accessory in Europe
Back in November, Capcom told Joystiq it was "hoping" to add voice chat support to Monster Hunter Tri using the neglected Wii Speak accessory. Today's announcement of the European release of the game confirms that players will be able to coordinate with their hunting parties by yelling at their TVs. Not only will the Western releases of Monster Hunter Tri support the Wii Speak accessory, but it will be offered as part of a bundle in the European version. In addition to the standalone game and a Classic Controller Pro bundle, you'll be able to buy a pack containing Monster Hunter Tri, a black Classic Controller Pro, and a Wii Speak mic. [Via Siliconera]
Dead to Rights: Retribution dated April 13 in NA, April 16 in Europe
Along with yesterday's news of ninja dog pre-orders and a snazzy "noir style" graphics filter, Dead to Rights: Retribution has been given a release date of April 13 and April 16th for North America and Europe (respectively). That means you've got just under three months to start preparing for the reboot to the Dead to Rights series -- and three-ish months to prepare for some hard choices. In case you'd forgotten, April is the month that brings us the much delayed Splinter Cell: Conviction, Capcom's Super Street Fighter IV and Monster Hunter Tri, as well as Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption. And yes, again, this is the busiest Q1 ever. Good luck! %Gallery-45220%
Classic Controller Pro releasing with Monster Hunter Tri in North America
Here's some awesome news: according to a press release sent out by Nintendo, Monster Hunter Tri will be available in North America this April -- which means that Capcom essentially delayed it as little as possible. Here's some more awesome news: it'll be available in a bundle with the Classic Controller Pro, the upgraded version of the Classic Controller that was previously only available in Japan. The set will cost $59.99. Even if you're not interested in Monster Hunter, you'll be able to get one separately, in black or white, for the same $19.99 price Nintendo charges for the regular Classic Controller. The Pro might not do anything different than the original, but it's laid out a bit more comfortably, with the analog sticks spread out further and the shoulder buttons moved out of the Classic's ridiculous single-file configuration. It's no coincidence, given Monster Hunter's PS2 origins, that this new controller is essentially identical in layout to a Dual Shock. %Gallery-83838%
Wii Classic Controller Pro coming to confused, oversized US living rooms in April
After doing the whole "Nintendo" thing in Japan, Nintendo has brought its Wii Classic Controller Pro Stateside to ensure us Americans were being properly Nintend'd to. That's right, yet another control mechanism, with its own set of slightly different buttons (this time dual shoulder buttons) and ergonomics (some DualShock-style grips) to thoroughly confuse and delight hapless Wii owners. Interestingly, the controller is making its debut in April as a bundle with Monster Hunter Tri; the game is compatible with the tried and true Wii Remote + Nunchuck combo and the hardly relevant Classic Controller, but we have a feeling those extra, Professional shoulder buttons will come in handy when plying the game mechanics of monster hunting. Separately the controller comes in black or white for $20, while bundled the game and controller will retail for $60. Our dignity as a once-proud Wii owner? Hardly worth a Craigslist listing.
Nintendo distributing Monster Hunter 3 in Europe this April
Nintendo appears to be confident in the sales potential of Capcom's Monster Hunter Tri. The company will take on sales, marketing, and distribution of the Wii action RPG in Europe and Australia, as it did for Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles and Zack and Wiki. Despite Capcom's announcement that the title would be delayed, Monster Hunter Tri will be released in April in the West -- just out of its original Q1 window. "Nintendo has identified Monster Hunter Tri as a key title for the Wii platform in 2010," Capcom Europe senior director of marketing Michael Pattison said. " We are really excited about partnering with Nintendo to further develop this franchise." Perhaps it could be developed further by releasing the Classic Controller Pro along with it. Just an option. %Gallery-34117%
Wait outside the Monster Hunter Tri site
The new Monster Hunter Tri site isn't quite open yet, with the full contents of the digital lodge kept locked down by an outrageous voice actor. But even without access to whatever's in there, there's some interesting stuff to be found outside the virtual barrier (navigate over to the door knocker twice to find it). The site features screenshots, the North American announcement trailer, weapon descriptions, and, perhaps most useful for us, a short listing of monsters -- maybe now we won't catch so much flak for referring to one of the game's trademark creatures as "like a dragon or something." It's like a Monster Hunter University for everyone! In the announcement, Capcom still referred to the game's release date as "Spring 2010," so we expect it to be one of the less delayed titles in Capcom's lineup.
Japanese retailer names underperforming games of 2009
Japanese retail blogger Oosaka King has compiled a list of what he believes are the games that did worst for stores in 2009. These aren't just poor sellers, they're also games with low margins or other problems that kept retailers from profiting. Topping the list: Blood of Bahamut, a DS RPG released by Square Enix on August 6, just a few weeks after Dragon Quest IX. No mystery why that one didn't sell! Monster Hunter Tri, which may be more surprising, was the blogger's number two choice, due to low margins on the standard edition, as well as some unspecified shipping issues from Capcom. The full list of what one retailer believes was unprofitable in 2009 is after the break. It features a few more big names, like Sonic, Mario, and Gran Turismo. The preponderance of major games is probably due to the fact that retailers stocked way more of the big games, expecting more sales, and stocked presumably niche titles more judiciously. [Via Andriasang]
Capcom schools Monster Hunter Tri rookies, unsure about Wii Speak for US
[Capcom-Unity] Capcom held a university-themed event Tuesday evening in San Francisco to introduce newcomers to the Monster Hunter universe in the runup to next spring's North American release of Monster Hunter Tri for the Wii. We'd already played the game at previous events, so we knew what to expect: Monster Hunter, looking nice (especially the large monsters) but not as nice as it could have on the PS3. After spending some time with the three-level, English-localized trade show demo on-hand -- including a go using the very nice Classic Controller Pro, which is included in Japan's black system/game bundle -- we asked Capcom staff about two unsettled questions concerning the game's US release. The first was the matter of paying to play Monster Hunter Tri online, as the game eschews Nintendo's servers for Capcom-operated ones and is fee-based in Japan. We didn't receive a decisive answer, being told only that the publisher is "hoping" the game will be free to play in the US. We got a similar response when we wondered if Wii Speak support was 100% set for the domestic release -- Capcom's "hoping" to get it in, but couldn't promise anything. The event did provide taste of what trying to coordinate a successful online monster hunt would be like without Wii Speak -- we found it nearly impossible to hear our fellow players (or the game) over the music being piped through the venue's formidable sound system. %Gallery-34117%
Monster Hunter pillow will give you nightmares
Capcom's Monster Hunter Furu Furu Pillow is officially the most terrifying pillow we've seen today. What appears in the games as a winged, eyeless wyvern (called Khezu outside of Japan) has been transmuted into a tube with a lamprey mouth. That you put on your bed. And look at when you wake up. We suppose it would be better used as an accent pillow on a couch or something, especially if you don't want anyone to use your couch ever. Japanese Monster Hunter fans will be able to bring this abomination into their lives, in white or red, on January 29, for ¥9,240 ($103.52). [Via Andriasang]
Capcom posts strong Q2 2009 earnings, despite 'soft' overseas sales
Capcom has posted its financial results for the six months ending September 30, 2009, and things are definitely looking good for the company. The publisher reported net sales of ¥38.892 billion ($426 million), up from ¥31.236 billion ($342 million) during the same period last year, which amounts to a 24.5-percent increase. The majority of those sales were generated by Capcom's home video games division, which pulled in ¥27.748 billion ($303 million) -- up from ¥16.486 ($180 million); a staggering 68.3-percent increase. Capcom credits strong sales of Monster Hunter Tri in Japan, as well as continued sales of Resident Evil 5, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite and Ace Attorney: Investigations to its recent financial success. However, the company stated that overseas sales remained "soft" for the period thanks to the delay of Dark Void and the weak performance of Bionic Commando and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. Joystiq readers will recall that Capcom leveled complaints at the same games in its first quarter report earlier this year. It's worth noting that overseas sales still amounted to ¥11.739 billion ($128 million), which accounted for 57-percent of the home video games division sales. We suppose Capcom might consider that "soft," but the suits can't be too broken up about it. Source -- Capcom | Favorable Financial Results for the 6 months ended September 30, 2009 Source -- Capcom | Consolidated Financial Results for the 2nd Quarter of the FY2009
Capcom still undecided about Monster Hunter 3 fees
We'll start with the good news about the upcoming Western release of Monster Hunter Tri: according to statements given to MTV Multiplayer by Capcom Community Specialist Shawn Baxter, the North American version of the game will use Capcom-hosted servers, like the Japanese version does, enabling players to connect and play online, free from friend codes.The other part isn't necessarily bad news, but it could be in the future: Capcom still hasn't decided whether to use the pay-for-play model found in all online Monster Hunter games in Japan, or whether to make online play free like it has for those same games in North America so far. It's likely that Capcom will do things the same way as before (which means free online), but with the company not saying anything, we can't be sure yet.%Gallery-34117%
Review: Monster Hunter 3 (Ramen)
No, this is not a hands-on preview of the upcoming US release of Monster Hunter 3. (You'll have to wait until next year for that!) Nor is this a review of the Japanese release. (You can, instead, read our hands-on preview from TGS.) This is the next best thing: a review of the limited edition Monster Hunter 3 ramen -- or "hunta-men" as the packaging states.Available for 200 yen (about $2.20), this packaged instant ramen is surprisingly good, featuring a hearty meaty taste and slight spicy kick. There are even dried meat pieces floating in the soup. While it may actually be beef, we're going to pretend it's dragon meat, because that's what a real monster hunter would eat, right?
Capcom reveals GamesCom 2009 lineup, safety hazard
Capcom has dropped word on the titles it plans to feature at the GamesCom Conference in Cologne later this month, and (for the most part) the games feature a hearty scoop of violence. Kicking things off with the oft-delayed Dark Void, Capcom will feature Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars, Monster Hunter Tri and Spyborgs for the Wii, along with Lost Planet 2 and MotoGP 09/10 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. To promote the Rocketeer/alien battle simulator Dark Void, Capcom is hosting an event in which attendees can take flight in the Dark Void Body Flying Machine, a rigged, vertically-oriented airstream shooting gamers into the air at speeds of up to 180km/h. Luckily, Capcom is also sponsoring taxis throughout Cologne, so if something goes wrong during its "sounds like a tremendous idea on paper" gamer cannon event, attendees can make their way safely to the emergency room. GamesCom runs from August 19-23 in Cologne, Germany.
Famitsu hands Monster Hunter 3 a perfect 40
It's not impossible to earn a perfect score from Famitsu, you know. The latest to earn top marks is Capcom's Monster Hunter 3 (based on translation over at NeoGAF), which comes as little surprise considering everyone and their grandmother loves the franchise in Japan.The true question is: Will it receive such critical acclaim when it hits the States and Europe in early 2010?[Thanks, Victor]
Monster Hunter Tri coming to US, Europe in (sigh) early 2010
Wii owners eager to take sword in hand and slay humongous creatures had best take note of Capcom's latest announcement: Monster Hunter Tri is set to depart from Japan (and assured smash-hit status) and arrive in American and European homes in early 2010. The Wii incarnation will boast both online and offline cooperative modes, as well as "strikingly beautiful" graphics and the challenging quests that fans of the franchise have come to expect.If you consider yourself to be outside that rather large group of the gaming population and have no idea what to expect, understand that among franchises like Devil May Cry and Resident Evil, Monster Hunter stands out as having a remarkably straightforward title. As the titular monster hunter, you'll track down and slay all manner of snarling creatures, only to turn them into better equipment to facilitate more dangerous monster hunt ... ery. Find it, stab it and then make it into a nice hat!%Gallery-34117%
Capcom ships 1 million copies of Monster Hunter 3 for Japan launch
Capcom is anticipating monstrous sales of its Wii-exclusive Monster Hunter 3 in Japan, having shipped one million units of the game to retailers in advance of its launch there this Saturday. As pointed out in a blog post on the publisher's community site, this makes it the first third-party Wii game in Japan to have an initial run of 1M copies.Saturday's also a big day for Wii in general, as it's also when Nintendo launches a version of the system with a gloss black finish -- including bundles which will have Monster Hunter 3 as a pack-in. Wow, it's almost as if Nintendo and Capcom planned it that way. The game is slated to hit the US and Europe before next April; Nintendo claims the black Wii won't be leaving Japan.
Capcom bundling Monster Hunter 3 with black Wii in Japan
Not only will a new black Wii be out in Japan this summer, prospective owners will have the option of buying it in a bundle with what will undoubtedly be 2009's biggest game for that region: Capcom's Monster Hunter 3 (Tri).The Monster Hunter 3 bundle will be released on August 1, concurrent with the standalone version of the game, and will include the game, a black system, and a black Classic Controller Pro for 33,000 yen ($342). In addition, a black version of the MH3/Classic Controller Pro bundle will be sold for 8,490 yen ($88).Despite the fact that the red DSi is coming out on the same day as Dragon Quest IX, no bundle has been announced for that yet. %Gallery-32281%[Via GAME Watch]
Monster Hunter 3 coming to U.S. and Europe, Capcom working on nine Wii titles
Those who took the time to dig through Capcom's most recent statistic-filled investor briefing for the upcoming fiscal year could find two interesting nuggets therein. The first, and most savory of these nuggets was a release date chart which revealed Capcom's plans to bring its upcoming pelt collecting action-RPG Monster Hunter 3 (Tri-) to the U.S. and Europe some time during this fiscal year. For those who slept through Econ 101, that means it should be in your hot little hands before next April Fools' Day.The second interesting bit was the revelation that Capcom is currently working on nine Wii titles to release in the current fiscal year. We know about six of them: Monster Hunter G (which dropped last month), Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles, Resident Evil Archives, Resident Evil Zero Archives, Spyborgs, and now, Monster Hunter 3. What could the other three titles be? Further reboots of old series? Another Archived Resident Evil? Brand new franchises? We may never know. No, wait -- yes, we will. Sorry about that.
