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Monster Hunter sneaks into Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Kojima Productions recently held a press conference in Japan to celebrate the completion of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, which is set to shed its cardboard box cover for a very visible spot on Japanese store shelves come April 29. During the event, it was revealed that there would be Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G content in the Konami-published game. The collaboration should ensure that every Japanese citizen will now buy Peace Walker, regardless of whether they own a PSP (that's just how it works). 1UP confirms the content will also be in the US version of the game. Monster Hunter's Felynes -- little cat-like things that act as support in Capcom's title -- will have a presence in Peace Walker. On top of that, some of the rations in Hideo Kojima's latest sneak-'em-up will appear as "well-cooked rations," a play on Monster Hunter's well-cooked meat. Also: Snake will hunt monsters, so ... yeah. Kojima justified the crazy crossover by playing the Jurassic Park card -- specifically, that Peace Walker takes place in Costa Rica. "I figured it'd be the perfect opportunity," he told Japanese mag Famitsu. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker will be out in Europe and North America on May 28 and June 8, respectively. To check out some footage from the Monster Hunter unveiling, pay a visit to the Kojima Productions website.
Monster Hunter Freedom Unites with PSP Go in Japan
After almost six months, we're going to see sales for the PSP Go pick up in Japan starting tomorrow. How can we be so sure? Today, Sony announced that not only is the PSP hit Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G (called Monster Hunter Freedom Unite here) being released as a download on March 18 -- a voucher for the title will also be given away with new PSP Gos. The downloadable game by itself will cost ¥1,600 ($17.69) from the PlayStation Store. Even though over three million people already have this on UMD -- and even though Monster Hunter Portable 3 was just announced for PSP -- we still anticipate a lot of sales for this. People in Japan are just that thrilled about Monster Hunter. [Via Andriasang]
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]
Famitsu crowns Hideo Kojima, Monster Hunter with timely 2008 awards
They say that the Japanese are known for their impeccable respect of timeliness. So why is it that leading Japanese mag Famitsu is revealing its 2008 Game of the Year winners now? Here are some highlights: Person of the Year -- Hideo KojimaThis is a man that not only has time to pen the complex and convoluted script behind Metal Gear Solid 4, but will star in weird videos meant solely for fanboys. That's a man you can respect. Rookie Title Prize -- The Last RemnantPerhaps "rookie" is a good word to use for Square Enix's RPG that almost played at a respectable framerate on a system that almost sold well in Japan. Innovation Prize -- Wii MusicThis game innovated by being the first Nintendo-developed Wii game that didn't sell billions of copies. Game of the Year & Best Seller Prize -- Monster Hunter Portable 2nd GWe love it when "best selling" means simply "the best." In America, the best game of 2008 is Wii Play. For the complete list of Famitsu's 2008 winners, visit 1UP.
Monster Seller: 3 million copies of Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G shipped in Japan
Capcom has shipped more than 3 million copies of Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G for the PSP in Japan, Capcom announced today. The game has been released in three editions: the original release, the hardware bundle, and a "The Best" reissue. It's a massive success story for Capcom -- Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G couldn't have cost much to make, being based on Monster Hunter Portable 2nd, which is itself based on the PS2 Monster Hunter 2, and yet it was the best-selling game in Japan last year. It was also the only PlayStation title to sell over two million copies in Japan in 2008. The company has more big numbers to look forward to when it releases the game in North America as Monster Hunter Freedom Unite.
TGS 08: Monster Hunter Unite headed for US
One of the reasons (or the reason) the PSP is doing so well in Japan is due in no small part to Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G. As we predicted, the game is being brought over stateside as Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. The Monster Hunter titles certainly haven't done as well in the States as they have in Japan. Will Unite change all of that? We doubt it, but we'll find out come Spring 2009, which is when the game is expected to be released in the US.
Ad: Yes, girls play Monster Hunter too
Want to be a "chick magnet" in Tokyo? Why not pick up Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G? This ad from PlayStation shows fashionable Japanese females getting together for an Ad-Hoc game of the popular PSP exclusive. Don't you wish you could join them? (Also, why does a game as successful as Monster Hunter need to advertise?)
One more Monster Hunter accessory to customize PSP
Monster Hunter mania is really turning into pimp-my-PSP. There's just way too many Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G items for sale: from cases to potions, and limited edition PSPs to art books and CDs. Now there's even this attachable grip that you can latch onto your handheld system. Only super hardcore fans would need something like this. The grip is only compatible with slim PSP-2000 models though, and goes for about 1,890 yen (US$20). In light of all these collectibles and products, however, anyone else thinking that yet another one will slip out right before Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G's release? At this rate, it wouldn't be surprising. Keychains perhaps? No no, how about special edition edible gummy-monsters. That would surely fly off the shelves.
Monster Hunter craze spawns new art book, music CD
Monster Hunter fever is sweeping over Japan as Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G draws closer and closer to release. Playing on MH fans undying lust for everything Monster Hunter-ish, several new series collectibles will be hitting the market. First up is Monster Hunter Illustrations, an art book consisting of sketch work, monster information, and staff commentary from both the PSP and PS2 iterations of Monster Hunter games. Not much else is known about the book, but we do know it will be out at Japanese retailers on March 25, two days before 2nd G's release. It's also available for pre-order on play-asia. Another way to get in on the craze is with the two disc music CD that should be coming out much later on April 16. The CD features 36 tracks from Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G. This baby is also ready for pre-order.
Japanese humor: Two Monster Hunter 2nd G TV spots
Monster Hunter Portable 2nd is probably Japan's most popular PSP title. It doesn't come as a surprise that the Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G expansion is going to cause a tsunami wave when it hits retailers over there. While the Japanese wait for their March 27 release, they're being bombarded with these funny TV spots showing dudes play the game on their PSPs. You know a game's popular when very little is shown about the game itself, and it's all about the gamers who play it. Interestingly enough, the first video has a guy playing the game while at the gym. Hmm, do people really play their PSPs while they exercise? You can bet that this blogger does. How many of you do? How many of you actually exercise?! While you ponder about that, check out the second video after the break. We're sure this gamer's frustration in the second video is something we can all relate to.
See monsters get hunted in a Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G video
It's been said this game franchise is insanely popular in Japan -- we hope this fanbase can transfer to the other regions, because after watching this video, we can sort of see what all the hubbub is about. It looks neat. First off, there's a barmaid. Awesome. Secondly, you get to check out people running away from various creatures, or fighting them. We find the ones running away more entertaining -- mostly because we add our own soundtrack and voice-overs. Anyway, the game looks great in motion, so check out the video and most importantly, enjoy.
A smattering of Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G screenshots
It's that time of week where we lean back in our chairs, stretch and possibly crack our back a few times, sigh with relief and look at video game screenshots. Our subject for our visual feast? Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G has a good batch of screens for us to enjoy -- if you can actually make out what you're looking at. Screenshots are kind of evil that way. Something can look great standing still but horrible in motion, or horrible standing still but great in motion. It's one of the PSP's mysteries!
Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G due in March
For those of you still reeling over the last Monster Hunter title on the PSP, we've got some news you might want to gobble up and get ready to gather even more monsters. The title, admittedly, has a much stronger audience in Japan but its following here is nothing to scoff at. Earlier at TGS, a third portable entry was announced, rather, an expansion of the second entry, but we didn't expect it to get a release date that's not in the very distant future at all.Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G is due out in March of next year, in Japan. The game is going to ship as part of a slim PSP bundle, but that doesn't mean you can't snag the game on its own. Even though the game is due out in a few months, there's really quite little we know about it. It would have been funny if it had some connection to the recently cancelled PS3 game, but then again, maybe that'd be less funny and more sad. Either way, those who hunt monsters, rejoice!
