If there’s one title that could propel the PlayStation Vita’s sales sky high in Japan, it would be Monster Hunter. While the likeable Soul Sacrifice has proved a decent substitute – becoming the console’s third best selling title in its domestic territory – Eastern owners of the struggling system are still hungry for a full blown entry in the Capcom-published series.
EDGE picked up on the predictable requests as part of a survey in the latest issue of Famitsu magazine. The publication polled 1,500 Japanese gamers, and found that many of the respondents are desperate to cull some innocent animals on the handheld’s enormous OLED screen. “The [available Vita] games are of great quality, but I’d love to play a game such as Monster Hunter at that quality,” said one.
In all, 37.3 per cent of those polled said that they were ‘happy’ with the software selection on the Vita, with just 7.4 per cent adding that they were ‘extremely happy’. On the flipside, 25.8 per cent said that they were ‘unhappy’ with the content on the console, with a more sizeable 14.2 per cent noting that they were ‘extremely unhappy’.
However, it wasn’t all bad. The respondents rated the console at an average of 75 out of 100, which seems reasonable to us. Furthermore, many said that they were hotly anticipating the impending God Eater 2 and Dragon’s Crown. The absence of Monster Hunter remains a very real problem, though – and judging by recent comments from Capcom, the situation looks unlikely to change.
[source famitsu.com, via edge-online.com]
Comments 21
I really would like Monster Hunter 4 on Vita for the fact that it has dual sticks but I think its bad for Capcom lets use just a bit of logic.
Where will I make more money with this game releasing it for the system that has more than 30m users or for the one that has 9m?
@Epic Sony should give them some incentive, as it's sure to shift a few Vitas too!
However even if they have plans for MH on Vita they couldn't tell it, it would hurt the sales of MH on 3DS/Wii U.
If Vita sells better in Japan in the coming months they will release an updated version for the Vita.
The game better suits the Vita anyway because of the dual sticks. As for the install base it depends if they want your game. Resident Evil for example sold few copies on 3DS. In Vita you find more fans of the series.
@Epic Yeah, it's a fair point. I think the only way it would be possible is if, like @KALofKRYPTON said, Sony paid for it. I'm not sure where I stand on that side of things, though. I mean, the company probably made and marketed Soul Sacrifice for the same amount of money as it would cost to lock down Monster Hunter (if not less), and that's a brand that they actually own now.
Buying exclusives has always struck me as a risky business. Microsoft invested heavily in Gears of War, for example, but it doesn't own a thing. Feasibly the next entry in that series could come to the PS4. So, what was the point in all of that investment?
@Epic I think by that mindset, we'd see it on PS3 or Xbox 360.
I don't care to see MH4 on Vita as it would probably be a port. I'd LOVE to see MH3rdP HD on Vita. Considering this is already a game on a Sony platform, I see it as a viable option. That said, I'm personally very happy with Soul Sacrifice and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite.
I actually really love Soul Sacrifice, in some ways I think I like it moreso than MH. That said I would like to see a MonHun game developed FOR the vita and not a 3DS port, I might be slightly biased but I do think MH would fit the vita better than the 3DS. Although as said before I really cannot see a reason why Capcom would even bother, I find the hardware sales of 3DS somewhat astounding really. When I tried the console out instore I thought it was quite horrid, not to mention the headache I got from the shoddy 3D, which really makes me ask myself why is it selling so well?
What threw me with SS was the arena set up. I sort of expected to be exploring.
Given the good sales, a sequel with a more open world approach would probably do really well too.
I don't see how install base is a problem for titels like Monster Hunter or GTA. People always can buy console for title like that. And some niche games, like Muramasa sold on vita better than on Wii. Persona 4 - 820 000 copies, Persona 4: The Golden 420 000 plus uknown number of digital sales. What I want to tell is that low installbase isn't really a problem for good games. And I think that capcom just using Nintendo's money to create new Monster Hunter, after contract will over, Monster Hunter have really big chance to become multiplutform. Same trick they've made with Monster Hunter 3.
: (
They should "even bother" because I'm the customer, and I'm always right. Not advocating a "give the people what they want" business plan, but if we're all screaming for ice cream...
I really enjoyed Monster Hunter 3 on Wii. I have it on 3DS now. Capcom should make a Monster Hunter game for Vita. I really don't see why they wouldn't, unless Cap has some sort of deal with Nintendo.
Time for "Fun w/ Statistics":
"The respondents rated the console at an average of 75 out of 100, which seems reasonable to us."
I think 75% is a pretty good number for OWNERSHIP. Sony's problem is getting people to BUY the system in the first place. Those who bought it are probably enjoying it.
(The same could probably be said about the WiiU. Most people who own 1 seem to really be enjoying it, but there are a lot more people who would want to own 1 but don't yet due to a lack of current top notch software.)
Having good ratings from your customers is better than bad ratings, which is probably why Sony had that "Talk your friends into buying a Vita and we'll give you whatever it was" campaign. But it's still a small install base.
@charlesnarles Capcon put tri on wii because it hard to develop for ps3 and it took them less money to develop it
I cannot understand this decision by Capcom. The game would be better on the Vita, period. I don't care how many people own the 3DS and how many own the Vita. Surely they comprehend that people in Japan would buy the Vita specifically for this game, completely negating that argument.
Capcom is an extremely stubborn company. A large amount of people are still waiting for a Resident Evil / Biohazard 2 remake. They know what people want, and yet, they won't change their priorities...
Oke capcom, i will atleast pay €60 for a MH Vita
@Epic
Instead of choosing over 30million user or 4.5 million users why not released for both hand held and make money off of potentially 34.5 million user. That would be a better business model.
@Sanquine lol yeah, if that's their issue, then I'd pay like $80 for an amazing collector's box or something in a heartbeat.
And if Capcom isn't interested in investing its own money into the endeavor, I'm sure a coalition of fans would be willing to donate hardcore. And if not, Capcom would just turn a profit on its own investment!...
They're making us wait for something good, that's all. Vita still has 9 years and PS4 isn't even out, and there's Portable3rd yet to be released in the west. Patience, y'all.
@Kayoss
You need to spen more money to release the titles for both and all those differences between both systems remember 3DS has 2 screens and 3D while Vita has awesome specs.
I honstly don't blame Capcom for taking the series to Nintendo, not when they seem to treat them so much better on top of everything else. I think Sony burnt their bridges when they tried to make Capcom pay for the updates to their adhoc servers. Nintendo has been the king of handhelds for decades and actually support the series and Capcom get to reap the benefits.
@charlesnarles
I doubt we'll be seeing P3rd since that was the cause of the cause of the disagreement with Sony. I wouldn't rule it out completely but seeing as the series has been at its best on Nintendo's consoles as of late I wouldn't get my hopes up.
Unfortunately for Sony, it seems Nintendo have Monster Hunter and Dragon Quest under lock and key. With these titles and Pokemon, Nintendo seems to be unstoppable in Japan. However, I think the fact that Sony trying to create the next 'big thing' in the form of Soul Sacrifice is an admirable move. I think time will tell whether the game takes Japan by storm, as Japanese gamers are a stubbrn bunch. Who knows? Monster Hunter was once a new, obscure IP once upon a time...
@Epic I don't think it's about the money anymore, I think it's the contract with Nintendo they have. Monster hunter is all a console needs to sell in Japan, everyone knows it. Capcom should know it, they've been making monster hunter for years now, and everyone has made it's console sell more.
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