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Phantasy Star Portable sells like a Monster in Japan
It's true that Phantasy Star of today is hardly recognizable to those who grew up playing with talking cats, but that probably doesn't keep Sega awake at night, especially given reports that its PSP RPG Phantasy Star Portable has been difficult to keep in stock since it was released in Japan last week. The pint-sized version of Phantasy Star Universe has shown Monster Hunter-like momentum, apparently flying off Japanese store shelves, with both Wired and AkibaBlog reporting that 90% of the original shipment went out the door on July 31, the first day it went on sale. There remains no word as to when or if Sega will bring Phantasy Star Portable to PSP owners outside of Japan, but we'll continue to save our meseta 'til it happens.
Monster Hunter set to make more money with new products
"Monsuteru Hanteru" really must be Japanese words for "fast cash" because the series has been exactly that for Capcom. The Monster Hunter series is sure successful, and what do you do with successful franchises? You milk them until the teats start bleeding colored paper with funny looking people and numbers on them.In line with this, Capcom is releasing more products in its Monster Hunter kitchen line with: a coffee tumbler (¥1,365 - $13), sack bag (¥840 - $8), coffee mug (¥945 - $9), and hand towels (¥525 - $5). The kitchen line products as well as beach sandals (¥2,100 - $20), and key covers (¥525 - $5) will be available August 14. You can find all of these at Capcom's online store. Go ahead and splurge, and while you're at it, pick us up some ramen! [Via Gpara]
DLC fight!!! Monster Hunter and Phantasy Star expand
This week, Monster Hunter faces some competition. One of the big selling points of Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G was its free DLC, available weekly for eager fans. Just days after its launch in Japan, Sega is also making free Phantasy Star Portable DLC available. The first thing you're going to kill? A very Monster Hunter-dragon. Do you smell the competition in the air?While both of these PSP RPGs go head-to-head in Japan with tons of features for fans, we're left here on this side of the Pacific, scratching our heads. Why don't we get this cool stuff too?[Via PSPHyper]
Monster Hunter makes Capcom filthy rich in first quarter
It's no surprise that Monster Hunter is a hit in Japan, and it shouldn't come as a sucker punch to know that the title has made a pretty penny for Capcom. In fact, Capcom is gloating; the company has posted first quarter financial results (April 1 to June 30) which shows off a 60.1 percent profit increase of ¥4.02 billion ($37.2m). No doubt, this huge gain in cash is due to Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G which released March 27. In this short time frame, the game has sold over 2.4 million copies in Japan -- the first PSP game to break the two million mark. Sales during the period went up 14.5 percent from the previous year raking in a total of ¥16.35 billion ($151m). Capcom notes that software sales other than Portable 2nd G were "mainly small-scale titles including spin-off software and repeated sales of existing products." So Capcom, when can we expect the next Monster Hunter PSP game? It's obviously successful and needs some more money milking. Better yet, when is North America going to get in on the party with 2nd G?
Capcom: Q109 sales up 15% (thanks Monster Hunter Freedom 2G)
Singling out Japanese PSP system seller Monster Hunter Freedom 2G, Capcom trumpeted its "best Q1 net sales and operating income since quarterly release announcements began." Net sales were ¥16,352 million, up 14.5% from the same period a year ago, thanks mostly to strong performance in its Home Video Games business, citing "exceptional sales of approximately 2.4 million units" of the aforementioned Monster Hunter title. The Home Video Games business saw quarterly sales of ¥10,406 million, a 31.5% jump from the same period last year. So, what's keeping the rest of Capcom down? Arcade operations were particularly weak; Capcom said, "The number of customer visits and average customer spending grew at a sluggish pace reflecting market stagnation and declining customer confidence, forcing us to struggle." Ouch! That unit had an operating loss of ¥73 million, versus an operating income of ¥261 million in the same period last year. Arcade Games saw an increased operating loss "due to an increase in development costs" while "character-related licensing royalties" were up 25.7%.So, what's the lesson? More developers should target the PSP because, really, people just want some games for it. And second, arcade games aren't even doing well for Capcom ... in Japan.
Show off your cool Monster Hunter self with this shirt
Hey, we all know how playing Monster Hunter can make you into a "chick magnet" by just playing it. But, how about wearing it? Yeah, wear the pride of being a Monster Hunter with this polo shirt available at Play-Asia. You too can join the "Hunter Club" with this official club shirt which proudly states membership started since 2004 (when the series began). The shirts come in available sizes M, L, and XL with a price tag of $39.90 plus shipping. While the shirt looks pretty cool, perhaps it won't make you that much more of a lady's man. You'll perhaps have to pick up some Monster Hunter plushies for that.
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?)
Challenge yourself with this week's Monster Hunter DLC
This week's Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G DLC features two different quests in the same training ground: Hipknock Dairantou and Challenge Quest 09. Bird creatures known as Hipknocks that have the ability to put you to sleep will be your opponent in the first mission while a group of Ranposu and a single Diablos become your foes in the second.[Via PSPHyper]
Monster Hunter celebrates Dengeki Festival
After last week's Famitsu-themed DLC, another gaming magazine will be this week's choice to be featured in Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G. Dengeki Festival G will be the title of the Event Quest this week. The player must venture into the cold climate to battle two electric monsters, Kirin and Furu Furu. For your efforts, you will be granted a special ticket. With 2.3 million units of this game sold in less than four months into this year, it is no wonder Capcom is offering such uncanny support for the game.[Via PSPHyper]
Pink invades weekly Monster Hunter DLC
After last week's more serious affair, Capcom decided to give us a splash of color in the newest Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G DLC. Titled Famitsu Sakura Mai Season, players will take on a pink theme of three monsters: Baby Konga, Pink Rathian, and Yian Kut-ku. If victorious, the player will be granted a special ticket. A more difficult Challenge Quest 08 will involve dealing with "sub-species of Shogun Gizami, Furu Furu, and Diablos." We are thinking pink is the new black this week for Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G players.
Another week of Monster Hunter DLC
Ah, another Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G DLC. This week features a quest to face a trio of monsters: Narugakaruga, Tigarex, and Yian Garuga. The rewards will be items to create a rare sword and shield. Why can't Capcom, or any other company for that matter, ever support a game here in the States like they support Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G? We are just a tad bit jealous, aren't we? [Via PSPHyper]
Wall St. Journal talks about Monster Hunter and PSP
If you ever needed a summary of proof that Monster Hunter is huge in Japan, this Wall Street Journal article would be it. The international financial newspaper credits the incredible success of the PSP in Japan over the past year to Monster Hunter. It outlines the appeal of the series, summarizing the mechanics of the game which allow a group of friends play together in co-op mode to battle monsters and gather materials for weapons and armor. Writer Yukari Iwatani Kane asserts that the Japanese are "uncomfortable with the idea of playing video games with strangers over the Internet," and Capcom "overcame that hurdle" by incorporating the Ad Hoc mode on the PSP into Monster Hunter. This brought in unconventional fans such as a 37-year-old Tokyo architect who held a "weekend retreat" with his 14 friends, which included a doctor and corporate executives, to play Monster Hunter together. Members of fan-sites such as Oyaji Hunters (Old Geezer Hunters in Japanese) "participate in regularly scheduled face-to-face get-togethers."Statistics obtained by the WSJ from Enterbrain Inc. shows that as of June 8th, 9.3 million PSPs were sold in Japan, compared with 4.75 million units in February of 2007 before the release of the first PSP Monster Hunter game. The combined sales of the two games have reached almost 4 million, and they are the only PSP games that have sold more than one million copies in Japan -- Kane attributes these sales partly to the fact that each player needs one copy of the game to play together. The article finally ends with some negative observations, stating that "Capcom hasn't made a serious effort to market the games in the U.S." and noting that the next Monster Hunter game will be on the Wii, rather than the PS3.Though the article makes some legitimate points, it is hard to trust someone that contradicts herself ("uncomfortable with the idea of playing video games with strangers" vs. "participate in regularly scheduled face-to-face get-togethers") lists "Evil May Cry" as a popular Capcom series.
This week's Monster Hunter DLC ...
Besides Rock Band, we don't really know of any other game that updates its downloadable offerings as frequently and regularly as Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G. Every week, Capcom releases a new quest for the insanely popular action RPG. And every week, PSP is the top-selling system in Japan. We're not suggesting that those two trends are related in any way, but we have to say that Capcom is really treating its PSP fans quite well in Japan. We wonder what the Western equivalent of Monster Hunter will be ...[Via PSPHyper]
Yes, even more DLC for Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G
The ever-popular Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G continues to expand its downloadable quest collection. The game has been expanded upon quite a bit already, and next up is a trip to the desert featuring a fight against two Dodobrango. This kind of over-enthusiastic support from Capcom is one of the reasons why the game has earned so much popularity in Japan. Perhaps other developers (PSP and others) should take heed of this practice -- building a strong community will reward you with incredible sales.[Via PSPHyper]
PSP game tops Japanese charts, not Monster Hunter
Konami's Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyuu Portable 3, a baseball title, has topped Japan's weekly software charts this week. With a staggering 117,000 units sold, the game has sold double the amount of units over last week's top spot Pro Yakyuu Team o Tsukurou! (another baseball game) for the Nintendo DS.Other PSP games are doing well. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G is still in the charts since its release back in March. It has, however, dropped down from second place to fifth with 45,000 units sold this week. Valhalla Knights 2 pops up on the chart at number eight with 32,000 units sold. While all these third party titles are doing well in Japan, seeing such strength and support in Western markets is going to be harder to find.
Hunt like an expert, watch Monster Hunter Festa finals
There's no doubt that Japan is big on the Monster Hunter games, so it comes as no surprise that Monster Hunter Festa 08 has been drawing in huge crowds all month. The Festa, however, is now over with the finals of the nation-wide tournament having just been wrapped up this past weekend. So what's the good news here? Well, you can see some footage from the show over at Famitsu, as well as witness the skills of this year's two top teams. Let the experts show you how to hunt some beasties.
More Monster Hunter DLC terrorizes Japan
Capcom, leave these people alone! We're pretty certain that Japan's economy must be coming to a screeching halt, as millions of Japanese are turned into mindless zombies who crave not flesh ... but more Monster Hunter Portable. The streets must be empty as everyone stays glued to their PSPs, hunting as many monsters as possible.To make matters worse, Capcom is releasing even more DLC for the game, adding a new quest to ensure that the hypnotized denizens of Japan won't dare think about anything but the game. Who knows how many will skip work to hunt down the new Tigarex?
Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G sells two million
While American gamers are still busy playing Grand Theft Auto IV (we still are!), the Japanese have embraced a wholly different kind of game. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G continues its ridiculous sales drive, and has reached the 2 million milestone, in less than 50 days since the release of the game. Are we the only ones that suspect that Capcom might be putting some happy candy in these UMDs?[Via PSPHyper]
Monster Hunter Festa draws big crowds again
Like last year, Capcom threw a monstrous celebration for Monster Hunter in its now-annual Monster Hunter Festa. 2,200 people flocked to Fukuoka to connect and play with like-minded fans. Preliminary rounds of the nationwide Monster Hunter tournament also took place at the event.The Festa continues all through May, to ensure that the devotee followers of the franchise will have as many opportunities to interact with the series producers as possible.[Via PSPHyper]
Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G reaches 2 million mark
This Monster cannot be contained. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G has reached the magical 2 million shipped point -- this benchmark is a first for the Monster Hunter franchise, and also a first for any PSP game released in Japan.The series' incredible popularity has never translated onto this side of the Pacific. However, with sales like this in the mainland, we're certain Capcom doesn't mind. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G continues to sell well in the Japanese charts: it was only beaten by the newly released Mario Kart Wii on last week's charts.
