Nintendo also reveals an upcoming demo disc for the huge release. UPDATED with Press Release.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/22630
Monster Hunter Tri is undoubtedly one of the most highly anticipated Wii games of 2010. Capcom has avoided giving it a set release date for a while, but at today's Media Summit Nintendo confirmed a North American launch date of April 20.
More importantly, Nintendo finally addressed the question of whether or not Tri's online component would be pay-to-play in North America, as it is in Japan. Fans of the series will be pleased to know that they will be able to hunt online completely free of charge.
Nintendo also made good on their promise of helping to market the game alongside Capcom by offering demo discs at Gamestop, which will become available on March 8. There will also be a pre-order incentive of 500 "collectible" Nintendo points, useable towards any purchase of downloadable Wii or DSi software.
Capcom's Seth Killian conducted a live demonstration of the game at the event, which our own Aaron Kaluszka described in his live blog.
CAPCOM® BLOWS THE LID OFF MONSTER HUNTER™ TRI
Free Online Play, Release Date, Wii-Speak Support, Playable Demo, and Exclusive Pre-order Incentives Give Consumers Even More Reason to Join the Monster Hunter Phenomenon
SAN FRANCISCO, CA— February 24, 2010 — Capcom® Entertainment, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today announced big plans for its upcoming game Monster Hunter™ Tri at the Nintendo Media Summit in San Francisco. Capcom revealed that the Wii™ exclusive would be shipping to retail stores on April 20, 2010 along with the launch of the new Classic Controller Pro™. Limited quantities of Monster Hunter Tri will be bundled in with the new controller for a suggested retail price of $59.99. The standalone game will be released with a suggested retail price of $49.99.
Along with the exciting news of the ship date, Capcom and Nintendo revealed its online plans for the North American fans by offering online play at no cost. Gamers also now have options for how they want to communicate as they develop tactics and strategies for hunting majestic monsters, either by text based chat or Wii Speak™, Nintendo’s hands free microphone.
More importantly, Nintendo finally addressed the question of whether or not Tri's online component would be pay-to-play in North America, as it is in Japan. Fans of the series will be pleased to know that they will be able to hunt online completely free of charge.
Holy Crap, April for MH3, May for SMG2, and June for Metroid Other M? WOW, I'm impressed and will be broke.anyone wanna predict
Holy Crap, April for MH3, May for SMG2, and June for Metroid Other M? WOW, I'm impressed and will be broke.
Holy Crap, April for MH3, May for SMG2, and June for Metroid Other M? WOW, I'm impressed and will be broke.You forgot Sin & Punishment 2. :(
Holy Crap, April for MH3, May for SMG2, and June for Metroid Other M? WOW, I'm impressed and will be broke.You forgot Sin & Punishment 2. :(
Um, Capcom already confirmed that a couple months ago, so that is not news.
Now we just need confirmation on whether or not it is region-restricted. Since the Japanese service is pay-to-play and doesn't have support for Wii Speak, it seems highly unlikely to me that the two games are compatible. Europe and Australia are still possible though.
These demo discs, are they ones people can take home or are they just for the store kiosks? If it's the latter, then big whoop.
http://www.capcom-unity.com/jgonzo/blog/2010/02/24/monster_hunter_tri_demo__pre-order_clarification (http://www.capcom-unity.com/jgonzo/blog/2010/02/24/monster_hunter_tri_demo__pre-order_clarification)
From JGonzo's Capcom blog:
"the Monster Hunter Tri demo (which will be available to pick up in Gamestop stores starting March 8th) will be free to all. No pre-order required. Just head on over to Gamestop on that date and pick it up. If you like it, then we can hope that you'll pre-order it :-)"
I don't really see the lack of Japanese Wii Speak support as an issue. You just wouldn't be able to voice chat with Japanese players. It would be no different than grouping with somebody that doesn't have a Wii Speak microphone.
Now we just need confirmation on whether or not it is region-restricted.
I'm beginning to understand Nintendo's stance toward demos. I'd most likely have preordered this game by now, but I'm waiting to play the demo disc to make sure I want it.
I'm beginning to understand Nintendo's stance toward demos. I'd most likely have preordered this game by now, but I'm waiting to play the demo disc to make sure I want it.
Are you saying you prefer not being able to play a game ahead of time, giving Nintendo your money, and then finding out you don't like it?
