Nintendo’s “big” E3 broadcast (which they’ve promised will give us our first look at the next Smash Bros. and 3D Mario platformer,) is still a few days away, but they aired a short Nintendo Direct livestream this morning in Japan to highlight two of Capcom’s upcoming 3DS titles, Monster Hunter 4 and Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies.
Capcom announced that after numerous delays, Monster Hunter 4 will finally be released in Japan on September 4th, exclusively for the 3DS. Two special edition 3DS XL’s, both marked with Monster Hunter iconography, will launch alongside the game on the same date.
Capcom also revealed new footage from the game that shows off the game’s larger (possibly seamless) areas and new monsters: while popular monsters from MH3 will return, such as the Rathian and the Lagombi, MH4 will feature a mostly brand new eco system of boss monsters to fight, including a dragon that looks like it’s made out of stone and a large amphibious shark creature that looks like it can eat hunters with one attack. While previous handheld Monster Hunters only featured local multiplayer (online play was exclusive to the console versions,) MH4 will be the first handheld game in the series to have online co-op. Capcom confirmed that the game’s online service will be free.
Importers can download the new Monster Hunter 4 trailers in 3D from the Japanese e-shop. If you happen to be in Japan this weekend, you could get a chance to play the game first, as Capcom is holding a special Monster Hunter gathering in Odaiba this weekend with a new, playable demo of the game.
Monster Hunter 4 hasn’t been confirmed for a US release yet, but reps from Capcom’s USA branch have said that Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate (released for the 3DS and Wii U last March,) did sell up to expectations and the company considers it “a hit,” so there’s a good chance that MH4 will travel Stateside eventually.
Meanwhile, Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies has been confirmed for a Fall release in the US, albeit only as a digital release through the 3DS e-shop. The Nintendo Direct footage above gives us our first look at the return of Phoenix’s friendly rival Miles Edgeworth, as well as some scenes of new attorney Athena Cykes using her Mood Matrix device, which allows her to analyze witnesses’ emotions and is one of the new central mechanics of the game. A demo of the game will be released on the e-shop this June.
