@FP_slomo788: Small? No. Sony booth girl? Yes. Some Japanese girls be tiny.

That was the gimmick at the Sony booth at TGS 3 years back. The girls all had PSPs attached to their waists with a cord. Guys had to come up to the girls and play while basically facing their chests - was a pretty funny sight!

Gwynna

@AngelMayLaugh: Monster Hunter is like a MMORPG if you take out the MM part and reduce the RPG part to a hack&slash. You basically fight "monsters" (mostly sauria/dragons, a few monkeys/crustaceans) with a few different types of weapons, carve out hunks of monster bodies, make newer & better stuff for harder monsters. Rinse and repeat. Watch youtube vids about it. But yeah, it has an incredibly steep learning curve- the first real fight you get into most people argue is one of the hardest battles of the entire game.

@tsukasa1288: I have only played MH with friends about... 5 times? After playing MH, MH2 and G by myself all those 2 years I got used to the rather unforgiving nature of the "online" missions for a single player- a battle that would take 20 minutes or so with 2 people can often end with about 20 seconds on the clock (50 minutes) for going solo, and you have to make sure you're well stocked for all eventualities. But when I finally played with other people, I realized why a lot of people found the game funner than I had thought. It's retired now, until MHP3...ooh I should check what new mission d/ls are out...

denki

@Witzbold: ooooooh burn.

the only REAL camera problem was in area 9 of the forests and hills in the first one, where it was litrally impossible to get a good angle sometimes, but apart from that, camera is pretty awesome. Either take the tapping L a lot stance, or controlling it with your first finger hooked across the d-pad, and they both work.

Jaziek

I see nothing but a sexy PS logo.

But really, this stuff isn't that surprising given how sales tend to trend there.

Sladvan

Final Fantasy Crisis core is a fantastic game, Highly recommend it to anyone that has a psp and hasn't played it.

cskelldog

Damn, imagine what Monster Hunter would have done for PS3 sales over there? It's too bad really.

LittleBigPlaneteer

@AokiShinya: Or shitty player who doesnt know how to control the camera proper or stay away from walls.

Witzbold

@FP_slomo788: @bobtheduck: If you squint just right...is that Tifa holding a psp?

boringjob2

i cant believe they dont even make it for the US thats crazy you think they would want to sell as many as they can. i also wonder how it would transalate on to the wii.

alyaba

@FP_slomo788: Or forced perspective... Special lens...

bobtheduck

That's a really small person holding that PSP. Makes the thing look hueg.

FP_slomo788

FYI the american one (Monster Hunter 2 Freedom) suck ass. Death by camera.

AokiShinya

because 3 is going to the Wii

akilshohen

I have a friend who's a big-time Monster Hunter fan. Unfortunately for him they don't seem to be making it here to the US anymore.

tim333

@大漢中: Of My serious gamer friends, I'm the only one with Psp. Of My friends with PsP's, I'm the only one who'd be interested in Monster Hunter.

AngelMayLaugh

@TheIrishNinja: Indeed, I don't think I've ever had so much fun playing a game by mashing the down arrow key. (We're being sarcastic here right?)

Also, I'm deeply saddened at the lack of Final Fantasy Tactics up there.

Turambar

@Rehabilitator: But they also made a Monster Hunter manga though. They put RAVE and Fairy Tail mangaka Hiro Mashima on the job. The story's kinda weak, but what can you expect?

m0re

@AngelMayLaugh: monster hunter is fun if you have 3 other people to play with you. the game isn't that fun single player.

tsukasa1288

@AngelMayLaugh:

It is a great game, provided you invest ALOT of hours into it, like hundreds of hours, and have friends who can join in on the hunt.

@Touy:

The game has a very steep learning curve. Very demanding of a player's skill in timing and positioning. It is not newbie-friendly.

大漢中

@Rehabilitator: monster rancher

JetPogi

Japan must have a lot of LAN parties or pick-up games, seeing as, what, 4 of the top 5 are party-oriented games?

Also, is Capcom trying to punish their consumer or something? Their counting of MHP is like what you'd do with a child.

"
Capcom: Okay, Mr. Don't make me count to three.
Consumer: ...
CC: 1 MHP...
CS: ...
CC: 2 MHP...
CS: ...
CC: ... 2 and 1/2 MHP... don't make me get to 3!
"

GDW1017

@AngelMayLaugh: Not really. The controls are clunky and frustrating. I hated it.

Touy

No MPO? Nani?

Zero_

Probably the most hardcore top five of any gaming device this generation.

Laughin_Caulk

I wish Square would lower CC's price already. Is monster Hunter any Good? I am really interested to see why the Japanese love it.

AngelMayLaugh

@Rehabilitator: That was Monster Rancher.

viewtifulhester

@damatman: Heh.

Thorax

Capcom should develop their own handheld based entirely around Monster Hunter. It would definitely put up a good fight with the PSP in terms of sales.

everybest

@damatman: lolololz. Took the words out of my mouth.

awwyeadatsright

@damatman: it really did flop. thank god Phantasy Star didnt continue butchering the name of one of my favorite RPG series to just clone it, you know? that'dve been weak.

dont worry, little Patapons. you made # 1 in my heart.

TheIrishNinja

Wait... is Monster Hunter that game that was made into an anime/cartoon that had a big yelow eye?

Cause it is then I need say no more.

Rehabilitator

So I guess not many people like Monster Hunter then.

damatman

@ZetaCrossfire: G is like an expansion new weapons / armors monsters areas.

Thats about it.

In MHP2G (only in Japan) the largest addition to the game is the cat helper that can join you in missions and levels up and you are able to teach it skills and such.

Witzbold

That woman in the pic has a very tackable abdomen.

You Are My Friend!

@Foxstar Sixtail: How nice of you to come out from under your bridge. Please go back.

I love Monster Hunter, it's one of those you really love it or really hate it games. Camera is bad but you get use to it and now I adjust the camera sub-consciously.

Nilyx

I bring you all idiotic footage from the PC version of Monster Hunter.

[jp]

+ Watch video

+ Watch video

+ Watch video

+ Watch video

+ Watch video

Witzbold

whats the difference between monster hunter and monster hunter G is that like saying theres pokemon red and blue?

ZetaCrossfire

@Foxstar Sixtail: Two words, after these five: Custom Firmware.

denki

Japanese people really loves the social party game. probably bcuz mostly they go hangout outside or building and see who's available in the aarea esp in a city like environment.

darktorns

If the top selling title is only 2.4 million, then something's very wrong.

Foxstar Sixtail

@Jaziek: You, sir, speak of "the claw," where the index finger is used to control surface buttons, thumb on the analogs, and other digits for the shoulders. It's really...amusing? No, irritating, when professional reviewers complain about poor camera controls, or not having enough fingers, because it's obvious that they just haven't figured out how to play using the claw. Sure, it can be painful at first, but it's not really that difficult (as MHP players can attest). I think Xbox games also have a high claw frequency (Halo, Phantom Crash, other things I can't for the life of me remember right now).

I found the camera to be controlable in MHP but what it needed was a pass-through, so it wouldn't do that BS when you back up next to a wall and it decides to show your characters head. It's strange that the game makes monsters transparent if the camera penetrates into them, but not foliage or walls. MHP's largest failure is collision detection, such as when attacks from monsters pass through solid objects (thinking of the monkey bastards throwing things through mountain sides).

denki

Boring

amped602

...and 4 of those will never be released in the U.S. Japan. Please go global with your games. you do it with cars, why not discs?

Xtreme_Hindu_Cow

Nice background

Milkham

We're gonna see a pacman pie-chart colored in red if Capcom will release a PS3 version of Monster Hunter.

xCruciaLx

@denki:

learning to use the collision system to your advantage is just part of the game though, knowing that you cant be hit when you're diving, or that theres 0.3 of a second's worth of invulnerability at a certain point in a roll, or jumping back with a bow or gunlance, or that the monster's hitboxes aren't perfect is what seperates good players from excellent players.

Jaziek

@Xtreme_Hindu_Cow: 3 out of those 5 already did.

Only MHP2G and PSP didnt.

Witzbold

@LittleBigPlaneteer:
It wouldn't do much, honestly. Both Monster Hunter and Monster Hunter 2 on PS2 didn't fare so well, either. While still vastly more popular in Japan than America, it wasn't exactly a "hit"...
Freedom/Portable has done what previous Monster Hunters haven't due to the fact they're on a handheld. From what I've heard, Japanese gamers prefer to know who they're playing with, as opposed to faceless people over the Internet. MHF's strong emphasis on local multiplayer is why it's sold so well in Japan.

Whether it was on PS3 or Wii, I can't forsee MH3 doing well, because it'll go back to the console-style of online play. I imagine the shift from PS3 to Wii is due to:
1) The possibility of reaching a larger audience.
2) A lesser risk if the game bombs.

Really, MH is only a key title in Japan if it's portable...

BPMΣ

@Witzbold: Looks almost exactly like FFXI.

Black-Dog-Howls

Please move PSP in pic; it's in the way, thanks.

Chef

YAY MONSTER HUNTER.

Revenge_of_Nekojin

@Xtreme_Hindu_Cow: Monster Hunter didn't reached US ?

xCruciaLx

whoa

trebors

@AokiShinya: With your lack of skill / patience to learn the mechanics I say you deserve the ass kicking the game handed out to you.

Witzbold

@AokiShinya: I meant the Monster Hunter Freedom, btw. I heard the 2 G have better camera angle. Maybe too many shitty gamer complained about it?

AokiShinya

@Witzbold: Right, I paid for the game, so I'm the one who have to be punished by the crappy camera angle.

BTW, this game does suck, I picked it from the gamestop bargain bin for $10. Thought me a lesson there. No good game will end up in the bargain bin.

AokiShinya

I never really liked the Monster Hunter games, there's nothing really interesting about those games and they have like no replay value. Crisis Core on the other hand is an awesome game, bought it last month and I'm still hooked on it...

Prime-Omega

are those some bewbs behind the psp?

seriously i played monster hunter and i friggin hate how grindy it is. its like playing an asian mmo on the go. guesss thats why its big in japan?

maraxusofk

@CHunterX: Holy crap are you fanboys persistent. I bought (for $10 at the bargain bin)and played the game, hated it, returned it.

Is that so hard to comprehend? That someone else don't like the game that you like?

AokiShinya

@AokiShinya: I wasn't referring to 2ndG either, its not in American stores!

CHunterX

@CHunterX: Read my second post. I'm referring to the MH Freedom 2. Not the goddamm 2nd G.

AokiShinya

@nworobes: If you think Monster Hunter is a JRPG, you are listening to the wrong people.
@AokiShinya: this game does suck
I really think its you who sucks at the game. Over two million Japanese agree with me. I don't think you've actually played the game, because its $34.99 used at Gamestop for MHP2, not $10-bargin bin.

CHunterX

@Witzbold: That Rathalos World Tour had me ROFLMAO.

Unreachable Tail and Unreachable Corpse really brought back memories. My first Tigrex tail was unreachable, but that was okay. What really pissed me off was that my first Plesisoth corpse ended up floating in the water after I bowed it down (because I didn't know how else to kill it at that time).

"YOU GET NOTHING! YOU LOSE!"

cythas

...

I don't have any of those games.

headcrab

@Witzbold: Nah, I've played way more difficult and complicated games. It's a combination of bad camera angle and the free roaming thingy. I prefer my "leveling up" games to have a story.

And I refuse to accept crappy camera as a "mechanic". It's a design flaw.

And drop the name calling, will ya. Makes you look immature.

AokiShinya

@Witzbold: Well that was overly condescending. So AokiShinya says the camera controls are difficult/unwieldy. There's a difference between "difficult due to intentional challenge" and "difficult due to poor game design". This instance sounds like the latter. Camera controls should NEVER be one of the first flaws someone recalls from a game. Making a video game have uncluttered gameplay and appropriate camera controls is pretty basic stuff.

I haven't played the game, but from what people have said, it certainly *sounds* like it's a pretty grind-filled JRPG that isn't particularly stellar, but at some point people started playing the series, and now it's the thing Japanese people must play because EVERYBODY IS PLAYING IT. It's cute that you're a fan of it and trying to defend it and all, but I don't think anybody's buying your arguments as you're coming across as a huge fanboy.

nworobes

Damn, those Japanese PSP buyers have bad taste.

Protector one

@nworobes: The only real reason this hasn't caught on in the states is because for some strange reason Capcom has never seen fit to advertise it. Take Pokemon for example: there's a game that's 10x's more grindy and repetitive than MH, but when you put a cartoon, and millions worth of advertisment and merchindising behind it you wind up with a hit in Japan AND the US.

MightyKAC

@CHunterX: You're correct, I misspoke. Would you find "Japanese action-RPG" more accurate? I still think the "Japanese" descriptor is fair, as my brief preliminary research into Monster Hunter 2nd's sales suggests that well over 75% of those sales were in Japan. That certainly makes it seem like it's more of a Japanese phenomenon and not particularly enjoyable for North Americans.

nworobes

To bad Crisis Core did not reach the sales peak at 777,777 that would be awesome.

shrek187

@MightyKAC: Well, you could explain Capcom's reluctance to spend money on marketing two ways. Either Capcom is a company full of idiots (unlikely), or perhaps they know the North American market well enough to know that the people who would like MH are probably few enough that's it not worth the effort.

nworobes

@MightyKAC: I agree, I mean back then if a game was to easy it sucked. Now if a game is to hard it Sucks?

Gah, What do you people want!!!!?

shrek187

@nworobes: Calling someone an idiot is a bit harsh, but you go around saying that a game "sucks" because you thought it was too difficult then be prepared to get call out for it.

MightyKAC

Remember when Japanese developers were the innovators?

justhesh

@Witzbold: @CHunterX: Furthermore, would you two (and any other Monster Hunter fans out there) cool it with the insults at someone trying to criticize your game?
Having looked at some reviews for the MH games, it sounds like they're for a certain type of gamer, and by no means for everyone. From the look of the sales charts, there are many more of that type of gamer in Japan than North America. It seems AokiShinya is also one of the gamers it isn't going to appeal to.
Let it go. Some people will find faults in a game that seems awesome to you.
As much as AokiShinya isn't using the most diplomatic language, he certainly isn't trolling. And his opinion doesn't seem to be universally wrong, like say, claiming that the soundtrack in Super Mario Galaxy wasn't very good.
So let him state it. Calling him an idiot seems childish.

nworobes

@justhesh: These sales say a lot more about the willingness of Japanese gamers to buy the same game over again than anything about Japanese developers. I can only hope/presume there are plenty of differing, more innovative games past #5 on the list.
This is really no worse than the top of the North American PC sales being nothing but Sims variants and Blizzard games.

nworobes

@nworobes: Well, any company that makes the kind of money Capcom does CANNOT be staffed with idiots. But if MH1 & 2 had come to the states with at least a commercial or 2 I have no doubt it would done much better. Hell, I only found out about it from a few screenshots and a concept explaination. Who buys games that they know next to nothing about anymore.

MightyKAC

@nworobes: I'd lay blame squarely on the both of them (pun intended).

justhesh

OMG at PSO Portable. Only been out for like 3 weeks.

JouninGarrett

list needs more MGS PO

pandafresh

I thought MGS:PO would be up there somewhere. Liberty City Stories...not so much.

Frank

@MightyKAC: I wouldn;t be too sure of that.

I worked at Konami in their "gaming" (read: slot machine) division. Holy cow, it was like to catch up quickly they just hired a bunch of people who had worn out their welcomes everywhere else in the business.

It was crazy, with 3 different bosses people answer to, with 3 different ideas of how to do things and everything goes back to the drawing board at least 3 times (the "bosses" are afraid their bosses will think them lazy if they don't find something to make design start again; same with QC on finished cabinets)

It was a nightmare. And to top it off, they blatantly lie about salary and perks. It was not an enjoyable experience. I quit after 3 months.

Oh yeah, that was another funny thing. Even though they did pay me less when i was in "company training", it was more than people on the line actually building the machines. But they sent me down there to "learn" (read: get another body on the backed up production line) and it was basically costing them nearly twice what the line workers made to have me there and I wasn't learning anything related to my job.

boringjob2

I love how Phantasy Star Portable hasn't been out for a full month and it's already in the top five. Guess Phantasy Star gets recognized in Japan.

Mechalon

Top doesn't surprise me... AT ALL.

Bitten_Dead

Too many people just didn't have the patience and skill for MH

Monster Hunter is all about hardcore skill based tactics. Know how to use and upgrade your weapons and armor, know the locale where you're hunting, know the wild life of the area and know the monster you're hunting. A lock on camera would have been death. You need a free roaming camera. Single player hunters are rewarding and fun if you know what the hell you're doing. multiplayer hunts are the best.

No MHF player is worth anything if they didn't complete the Land and Sky Mission (rathian and rathalos in the arena) and completed dual Rajang in MHF2 (also in the arena). Both missions you have to do solo and are a true test of skill. Some people have the skills for MHF and MHF2 but judging by some of these comments, a lot of people don't. Too bad, it really is one of the best portable games ever made.

Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.

@Prime-Omega: You are telling me, that even after the 300 initial hours you have to invest to properly "beat" the game, you want replay value? You sir, amuse me.
Anyway, im with my second character and go 60 extra hours already, so maybe there is replay value after all.

Marduk

Don't mean to sound like I'm minimizing this in any way if it's happy news but does this mean half of the sales on a single platform is due to a single game? That may bode well for the game but that DOES NOT sound like a healthy platform :(

okenny :) ...building bridges (to hide under)

I rather like the Japanese' taste in games. But, Patapon is sorely missing from that list, and that upsets me.

Xemnas

Monster hunter x 3.
Mario x 3.

As long as everyone's having fun its all good

candygirl_fangirl

Screw Final Fantasy, Microsoft needs to get Capcom to put Monster Hunter on the 360. I'm sure it's because of the portability, but whatever.

Sorwah

Surprised at the lack of Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness

ca36gtp

@Mechalon: More like, this is the first year PSP has been recognized in Japan

bangbangblah

@Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.: am I the only one that feels that the new motto for Monster Hunter3 should be "Anything but Wii..." I'd take it on PSN, PS3, Live Arcade or 360...but Wii...I got a bad feeling about this. Friend Codes, dated 3D engine, Dolby Pro logic II instead of 5.1, 480P instead of 720p, potentially craptacular waggle controls....too many risks if you ask me.

Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.

@Sorwah: now THAT would move consoles in Japan. If Monster Hunter came to 360 you'd see me on Live everyday for at least a year.

Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.

Wow, I own a PSP and I've never played any of those games.

Wubbytoes

@Striderhayasa - Phillyyakk on PSN and Live.:if you've ever seen the PC benchmark for Monster Hunter Frontier it's hard to imagine playing it on the Wii. (this from a wii owner)

MightyKAC

I have, apparently, no idea what the big fish monster asshole's name is- after calling him gyanos I though that didn't sound right- ガノトトス

denki

@Jaziek: Yeah, but having attacks that can noclip through mountains/other solid objects? That's just lazy. For example, in the desert stage, one of the areas (outside with a nearby water body), the rock pillar in the middle does not allow diablos/monoblos to tunnel underneath it, but gyanos water-lasers past right through. In the same stage, one of the large desert areas, there are other large stone structures that diablos/monoblos can burrow right underneath. where is the consistency? The monter hit boxes, roll invulnerability and all such are well tuned to the game, it's the BS like above that wrecks the in-game suspension of disbelief that gets me.

denki

sooo was god of war not released in japan, or was i the only one that enjoyed it?

Kartune

I don't know about you guys, but this list just seems to scream at me "DEVELOPERS-PSP GAMES ARE NOT LUCRATIVE AT ALL."

Mascott

@Laughin_Caulk: Yeah, good point, you're probably right. I didn't make that distinction when I first read the list.

PhantomSpaceman67

@denki: dont hide behind rocks then. remember shit works 2 ways. You can blast the crap out of other monsters with the bow or gun through the rock.

Witzbold

@Wubbytoes: Haha, likewise. Apparently we're doing it wrong.

Wolfers

@AokiShinya: only noobs die of death by camera in MH. just preaching the truth.

rhugghed

So its the joy of an mmo in a psp from the way people make it sound X_X oh joy...

ps: I had no idea monster rancher was that popular :O I remember watching the anime when I was a kid... but I don't think it went past the second season in the US on tv anyways

hrabbit

That PSP looks massive in those tiny Japanese hands.

jbiller

MH2 is awesome if you're into it. It does have a steep learning curve and can be pretty damn frustrating at times. I use to play with co-workers but stopped after getting the Akantor bow and set. Fun times though!

HoxtonHero

@ZetaCrossfire:

No, it's more like saying Pokemon Red to Green. The G version is an expansion pack that improves functionality and adds more weapons and a few more monsters/quests.

yomachaser

Ahhh Monster Hunter. One of the Godly games that Americans seems to be either too stupid or too lazy to be able to get into. Or maybe it's just too hard for them.

Chunky-MonkeyLOL

@Nilyx:Cry more, your tears are like candy to me.

@denki:I know. It makes me sad and makes me wonder if all the happy custom firmware users know they are killing their gaming future on the PSP.

Foxstar Sixtail

@CHunterX:

yes by the same logic b/c madden sells millions of copies every year madden is an innovative game from year to year?

maraxusofk

The PSP is not a console, Monster Hunter sucks, and the Japanese need to play more than just stupid RPG's.

Elwood2112

I have a love/hate relationship with Monster Hunter. But its like a drug...I try to stop playing but its sooooooooo good. I've even managed to get coworkers hooked. Can't wait for the next installment!

Also...Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness is a good rendition of the original game. Highly recommended for people who wore out their original disk or folks who enjoy strat RPG's.

WoosterB

@Rehabilitator:

i think that would actually be monster rancher, not monster hunter.

teeuwen

@Witzbold: Thank you for the videos ^^. The game is truly beautiful on PC, I wonder why they dont port it to PS3.

Veltis

@Elwood2112:You know I think Witz still has banhammer useage. Bad, bad topic to troll.

Foxstar Sixtail

If you are still looking at the PSP...you like it too much.

Mike918

Japan really needs to learn how to be better well-rounded.
Seriously... Monster Hunter? They should be ashamed.

DavidFU

@Mechalon:

too bad not in u.s......

I loved that game when it was for the dream cast( probably my favorite system of all time, but i could never get the online to work xD, brings back memories of me cradling my dream cast in a corner and trying to pretend it didnt go out of buisiness xD. Wonder what it would be like if sega still had a console out........ But too bad sega was too much of a cheap bastard to advertise the system, I've only seen 1 tiny advertisement in some random electronic magazine ( in the corner of the page too)for the dreamcast.... ah well now back on topic:

err....nothing much to say except a commonly known thing...Japanese really loves their rpg's.......

Z33