Monster Hunter 3 for Wii

By Robert Purchese Published 10 October, 2007

Unveiled by Iwata.

Nintendo overlord Satoru Iwata has revealed that Monster Hunter 3 is being made for Wii.

He took to the stage at the recent Japanese media briefing to unveil the news, which was helpfully live blogged by magazine Gemaga and translated by 1UP. It is the same conference responsible for the Wii Fit date and revelation that Mario Kart would feature bikes.

Monster Hunter is a series of games for PSP from Capcom that has been been wildly popular in Japan, with each edition shifting more than one million copies.

The third instalment had previously been announced for PS3, although no mention of it was made by either Capcom or Nintendo at the briefing. Details on gameplay and dates were also missing, probably because some sort of dinosaur-thing had gobbled them up.

Monster Hunter Freedom 2 was released for PSP in Europe in September, roughly seven months later than its Japanese counterpart. We enjoyed it, although we couldn't help thinking it had fallen short of its full potential.

Pop over to our Monster Hunter Freedom 2 review to see why.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (65) Latest comment 4 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • mrharvest #1 4 years ago

    "Most Wanted
    Unknown Unknown Unknown

    No-one wants this game"

  • Caimbeul #2 4 years ago

    That5 will shift a few more units in Japan!

  • Triggerhappytel #3 4 years ago

    Will any of the casual gaming Wii owners outside Japan give a flying fuck about this game?

    I'd much rather it came to PS360. Or, fuck it, why not all three?

  • morriss #4 4 years ago

    PSP ports ftl.

  • Dizzy #5 4 years ago

    Ouch. Final nail for PS3 in Japan (if cancelled)?

  • Goffee #6 4 years ago

    Imagine the third party swords you could buy to fit the Wiimote in - wow!

  • CallousB #7 4 years ago

    All reference to the PS3 version has been removed from the capcom site. Wii only at present.

  • Tasan #8 4 years ago

    Wii exclusive, the PS3 version is cancelled.

    [link url=http://www.sharewatch.com/story.php?storynumber=49593 ]http://ww w.sharewatch.com/story.php?stor...[/link]

    This game is not a psp port. 0o

  • Rirekon #9 4 years ago

    The original looked awesome except for being on the PSP and thus suffering from horrific loading times and a poor camera, I'm hopeful being on the Wii will improve things.
    At least I'm hopeful :-)

  • Brodie #10 4 years ago

    The original on PS2 had poor loading times, and an awful camera.

    Oh, and shit controls.

    The Wii version should be almost identical then!

  • Dafridge #11 4 years ago

    Nothing in that link says its not a port. Looks like Capcom just gave up and went for the less work more money route.

  • UncleLou #12 4 years ago

    Best news ever. I almost bought a PSP just to try out this game (as I have a suspicion, but of course don't know if I like it).

  • UncleLou #13 4 years ago

    Nothing in that link says its not a port. Looks like Capcom just gave up and went for the less work more money route.


    Nothing in that link says it is a port - is there a Monster Hunter 3 on the PSP that I am not aware of (that's a serious question, I have no idea how the situation is in Japan), or do you just assume that a sequel on another platform will be port?
    Edited by 1 at 10/10/07 @ 14:36

  • SirScratchalot #14 4 years ago

    Well, it's a big name... in Japan.
    It's a game that begs for an MMO treatment but never gets it.
    Anyway, it just feels like bulying herbivores dosen't it?
    But it's good to have Capcom commiting one of their big gun franchises.

  • Dafridge #15 4 years ago

    no there is no monster hunter 3 on psp!

    @Uncle Lou,
    True I can't think of a sequel thats ported to the wii but then any console that ports titles from the DS should give you ample warning. Also look at Sega Bass fishing for example which looks like a straight port from Dreamcast.

    I guess I am making the assumption that it will be a port but then when they make a statement like the following we have to assume that there is something wrong otherwise they would make it cross platform.
    "Due to high development cost of titles for PS3, we have decided to switch the platform to which we release our Monster Hunster 3 title,"

    Something stinks of corner cutting.
    Edited by 1 at 10/10/07 @ 15:05

  • Nikanoru #16 4 years ago

    Something stinks of corner cutting.


    Uhh, why would you think that? They're putting this popular game on the Wii because it is an extremely popular platform, and because the PS3 isn't. It's as simple as that, no matter how much you'd like to come up with some kind of negative reason, to place the Wii in a less than flattering light.

  • mechamonkey #17 4 years ago

    Online or onyerbike

  • Eraysor #18 4 years ago

    For god's sake, make it on a console with decent online support for once. Hint: Xbox 360.

  • AcidSnake #19 4 years ago

    @Eraysor:
    With this game being largely for Japanese crowds the 360 would be the worst choice platform for them...

  • Kryon #20 4 years ago

    Nikanoru man, you should have your own theme tune. It should play every time you 'come to the rescue' of the Wii in a comments section :) A bit like the Queen rendition for that really homoerotic Flash Gordon movie of the 80s.

    ;)

  • drumbaby #21 4 years ago

    So then, I won't be playing Monster Hunter 3...unless it comes to PSP/ PS2, or even PS3.

    Wii schmii. Damn you, Capcom, I'm going off you big time. :/

  • Dafridge #22 4 years ago

    @Nikanoru: Were it simply the case of popularity based decision making the current sales of the PSP would surely warrant a multi platform release. To choose to shift a game that so deserves the proper MMO treatment to a console that least supports online gaming is strange.

    I don't need to sit here and spout negativity at the less than flattering light that the Wii has already cast itself in.

    Don't get me wrong I was an early adopter of the Wii and subsequently i was one of the early disappointed. Since launch I have only been inclined to buy two games Zelda and Res Evil. No one can deny that this exclusivity is a coupe for Nintendo and I applaud it because I know that I will at least have one more title to utilise the least worked console in my collection. My beef is not with the Wii here its with Capcom and their love of exclusivity.

  • Dafridge #23 4 years ago

    When Capcom openly say that they can't afford to make the game in the way that they originally planned, it implies that there is a risk that they are gonna do a half arsed job in transferring it.

  • camaway #24 4 years ago

    This is a knock-out blow for Sony. A major Japanese developer that cancel a million seller franchise title for the PS3 to move it to Wii exclusive...it's going to have major repercussions in Japan.

  • camaway #25 4 years ago

    On a side note: don't you think that Sony is really starting to look like the Nintendo of the mid 90s? Thinking that are so big they can push unpopular choices (bluray now, a cartridge based format in a CD-ROM era then) down developers and consumer throats only to discover too late that the party is over for them? At the time it was Squaresoft moving FF7 to the PS1 that buried Nintendo, maybe it will Capcom now.

  • smelly #26 4 years ago

    Would put money on this being a psp port.

  • smelly #27 4 years ago

    @drumbaby: CryBaby more like.

  • BIGSHAO #28 4 years ago

    Monster Hunter was made on the SONY consoles. Capcom acheived success through the synergy of platform+game+online. They have ditched the brand that brought success to this franchise in favor of the most popular console at the present time. Capcom..bitting the hand that fed them.

  • UNSCmasterCHEF #29 4 years ago

    I'd put money on it being a psp port with crappy wii mote functionality added for gimmick effect.

    Cutting corners doesn't cover it. Nowadays if a company can't afford to make a ps3 game they shift to the 360. For monster hunter, 360 owners wouldn't want it so Capcom were obviously forced to consider the lowest common denominator...the wii.

  • JediMasterMalik #30 4 years ago

    This could have been so good with a proper graphical update, and of course a good online environment, none of which we're likely to get on the Wii, such a shame,

  • BIGSHAO #31 4 years ago

    What pisses me off is that this is the first "Next Gen" outing for Monster Hunter. They choose the most underpowered console of them all. The console with the least online support. The console with the least appropriate controller. The console which will have the smallest portion of the titles target audience. This is just plain cheap.

  • mrharvest #32 4 years ago

    JMM, indeed.

    But isn't the "PS3 too expensive, so we'll do it for the Wii" just a euphemism for "Nintendo gave us bags and bags of money"? And surely it'll be a port of the PS2 engine, not the PSP version...

  • Evil_Jez #33 4 years ago

    Poor PS3... this is going to hurt Sony, those Japs love hunting those monsters!

  • UncleLou #34 4 years ago

    For monster hunter, 360 owners wouldn't want it so Capcom were obviously forced to consider the lowest common denominator...the wii.


    That's one, albeit pretty idiotic, way to put it.

  • camaway #35 4 years ago

    Yeah, because Capcom is in the business to lose money. The board sit down and the CEO says "guys, the PS3 version will sell loads, the XBOX360 is the perfect platform, let's do instead a Wii exclusive, it won't sell because in Japan it has been proved that if you don't have HD graphics and super online nobody likes you."

    If Capcom decided to go for the Wii is simply because they think they will sell more on the Wii than they would on the PS3. No other reason.

  • Tasan #36 4 years ago

    Sounds like most people dont know what a port is then.

  • DFective #37 4 years ago

    "Will any of the casual gaming Wii owners outside Japan give a flying fuck about this game?"

    I could imagine some of them saying "Coooool kill dinosaurs"
    But I too would MUCH prefer it on 360 with some good co-op. Or even PS3. Wii's online may as well not exist.

  • BIGSHAO #38 4 years ago

    @camaway
    You're half right, there. Graphics are not that important to the Japanese (although it will be another example of a lacklustre port to the Wii) but Monster Hunter thrives online. If it not implemented correctly it will be a spectacular failure.

  • smelly #39 4 years ago

    "They choose the most underpowered console of them all. The console with the least online support."

    Oh get over yourself.. The first game was released on ps2 wasnt it?

    The least powerful console of last gen (including dreamcast with that) with the worst online support?

  • BIGSHAO #40 4 years ago

    @smelly
    Obviously I meant underpowered out of the "Next Gen" consoles. And Monster Hunter actually achieved a lot of its success on the PSP which does have very good online support. Hence it being the first million seller.

  • mrharvest #41 4 years ago

    "And Monster Hunter actually achieved a lot of its success on the PSP which does have very good online support. Hence it being the first million seller."

    Except the PSP versions only have ad-hoc, which I really wouldn't call "very good online support".

  • UNSCmasterCHEF #42 4 years ago

    @Smelly
    'Oh get over yourself.. The first game was released on ps2 wasnt it? '

    Do your research dude the Ps2 version WAS online!!!

    In the current crop of consoles the Wii DOES have the worst online support which begs the question, Why push a successful MMO style game on to it?
    Edited by 1 at 10/10/07 @ 17:12

  • BIGSHAO #43 4 years ago

    Monster Hunter actually plays very well in Ad Hoc. And the downloadable content doesn't hurt either. I don't know why some of you are defending the Wii's online play so defiantly. There is no escaping the fact that it is practically non existent. To quote UNSCmasterCHEF "Why push a successful MMO style game on to it?"

  • mrharvest #44 4 years ago

    Bigshao, I'm not defending Wii's online capabilities. I just prefer to get the facts right. Imo the lack of infrastructure mode in the PSP versions was a huge omission, and I would have really liked to see MH3 on a console with good online support. :-|

  • ronuds #45 4 years ago

    Spend 10 million to put this on the PS3 and make a minimal amount of money or spend 2 million to put this on the Wii and make 10 times as much.

    Sounds like a tough choice to me. There are few everlasting love affairs in business.

  • BIGSHAO #46 4 years ago

    @MR HARVEST
    I completely agree with you. Multiplayer Infrastructure would have made an already great game even better and it is a noticeable omission. However, to truly realise the potential of this license it must be produced for a console which will best exploit it's greatest facet. That is the multiplayer aspect. The Wii is simply the wrong console for the job. I just don't see why Capcom have wussed out of putting it on the PS3. I know developing on the PS3 is a risky business right now as parties are afraid of taking a loss due to the relatively low sales of the PS3, but if they were to take the chance I am sure they would find a system seller on their hands (in Japan at least) and would make a healthy profit off of that.
    Edited by 1 at 10/10/07 @ 17:34

  • CitizenGeek #47 4 years ago

    Wow, major coup for Nintendo in Japan. Monster Hunter is crazy-popular in Japan!

  • manic_mouse #48 4 years ago

    "This could have been so good with a proper graphical update, and of course a good online environment, none of which we're likely to get on the Wii, such a shame"

    +1 a PS3 version would be much better.

    "Imo the lack of infrastructure mode in the PSP versions was a huge omission"

    The Jap version had online play. It was pulled from the UK/US games, which sucked.

  • smelly #49 4 years ago

    >+1 a PS3 version would be much better.

    No it wouldnt.. as there would be no-one to play against online.

  • smelly #50 4 years ago

    "Do your research dude the Ps2 version WAS online!!!"


    Erm Sometimes i wonder if you guys can read.. I didnt say it wasnt online.. just that the ps2 had crap online support (in comparision to the xbox).



    "In the current crop of consoles the Wii DOES have the worst online support which begs the question, Why push a successful MMO style game on to it"


    Which moves me to this point and therefor proves my point..

  • ronuds #51 4 years ago

    If this was on PS3, you'd have to pay extra to get the downloadable content that includes online play.

    Duh...

  • drumbaby #52 4 years ago

    Just like on PSP/PS2, right?

  • electrolite #53 4 years ago

    Watching all the foot-stamping about it being on Wii rather than the other two is hilarious. Anyone with any simple grasp of business wouldn't be so shocked.

    Incidentally, this could well be game over in Japan, Wii wins

    And I'm not remotely mithered about the game itself....

  • drumbaby #54 4 years ago

    I'm not shocked. I'm gutted. Plus I don't give a feck about business where my fave game property is concerned.

    However, I've been playing a PS2-esque version of Mhunter on PS2/ PSP for years now, and I crave the true next gen' makeover. When watching Lair previews I was thinking 'Mhunter 3 Wyverns could look this good'!

    Well, no such makeover is coming in Mhunter 3 Wii edition, other than fishing/ sword/gun use with a wand. Oh, please. :/

    The same way a GTA or MGS fan wants an evolution in their fave series after a certain amount of time, I want better graphics, sound, bigger open-ended maps, smarter A.I. both for allies and enemies, bigger and better multiplayer, deformable terrain, dynamic day/ night cycles, and real time weather changes.

    I'm not stamping my feet, but I'm not buying another bloomin' 'G' mission pack and a new console to play it on when I'm perfectly at home on a gamepad, playing an upscaled version of what is essentially the same game.

    This is just 'Rygar' for Wii all over again. Looks exactly the same as 'Rygar the Legendary Adventure' for PS2, but 3 years after the event, but you get to waggle wand the Diskarmor.

    Whoop-de-doo.

    Yes, it'll sell...but as a fan once hoping for the next big leap in the franchise I don't actually care about that.
    Edited by 1 at 11/10/07 @ 00:39

  • Kryon #55 4 years ago

    don't worry guys, this game had to be a Wii exclusive as a game without a gimmicky control system can no longer be classed as next gen, just ask smelly, he'll tell ya!

    It is a shame for the franchise though...What could've been a decent game downgraded to the Wiis megre capabilities and waggle-wand control ...Meh.

  • manic_mouse #56 4 years ago

    "No it wouldnt.. as there would be no-one to play against online."

    Good one!!11111!!!11

    And actually Smelly you're wrong about the PS2 having the worst online support of the last gen consoles. The GC, like the Wii, got that title.

  • GingerNathan #57 4 years ago

    "And actually Smelly you're wrong about the PS2 having the worst online support of the last gen consoles. The GC, like the Wii, got that title.
    "

    He didn't say that the PS2 had the worst online service last gen, he just said it was shit (although incredibly popular, especially in the US for Madden) compared to the Xbox's.
    I think some of your misread things on purpose.

  • Kryon #58 4 years ago

    "I think some of your misread things on purpose."

    Well it's kinda hard when people insist on using the word "your" when they really mean "you". ;)


    Another thing people, I know it's fun to bait smelly and watch him go out of his mind like a demented mongrel on crystal meth chasing his own tale, but trust me, there's no point, he's an old bone idle alcoholic who fantasises about young teenage girls from S-Club while breathing deeply into a skid marked pair of Mario pants that he's worn for the past eleven days. He will never listen to reason. Nintendo is his boss, his lover and his child (all at the same time)

  • Dafridge #59 4 years ago

    Yeah sorry smelly I hear Mario and Sonic are in bed together now...shame you lost your chance.

    I'm gonna go back to Pokke farm now and sit on the dock fishing while watchin Trenya sail off on a new adventure thinking of how things could have been with a PS3 future and facing the reality of how things will be with the wii. Keep sailing Trenya! Don't come back Pokke farm will never be the same again!
    Edited by 1 at 11/10/07 @ 11:35

  • BIGSHAO #60 4 years ago

    Bug catching, fishing, mining, sword slashing, ranged weapons, combining, cooking, gathering. All with Wiimote functionality. How did we ever get by without it?

  • Tonka #61 4 years ago

    Bad decision Capcom, baaad. Or not as it happened.

  • Les #62 4 years ago

    And so it begins...

  • Dafridge #63 4 years ago

    QJ have got a trailer for it but no in game footage...

  • VMerken #64 4 years ago

    Today's not a good news day. Bioware has been eaten by EA, and now this.

    /studies lower lip intently

  • Nikanoru #65 4 years ago

    Dafridge: Hold on for a sec, you're complaining about the Wii's lack of games, then you complain that this game is going to the Wii? LOL! Talk about inconsistency. So typical, though.



    Kryon: Nikanoru man, you should have your own theme tune. It should play every time you 'come to the rescue' of the Wii in a comments section :) A bit like the Queen rendition for that really homoerotic Flash Gordon movie of the 80s.

    ;)


    I defend things that need defending, my retarded little friend. Regardless of platform. Then again, you wouldn't know! Because you limit yourself to only trolling Nintendo threads. ;)

    Do I need a theme song? Maybe. If I do, you need one too. Mine will be like "here I come to save the daaaay" or something. Yours will be a cacophony of silly trumpets and a "wah wah wah wahhhhhhh" each time you say anything. Oh and when your face first appears, they'll play a laugh track. Sound good? ;D