Monster Hunter Portable 2nd off to a quick start in Japan
by Jonti Davies 
{ Feb 22nd 2007 at 4:30AM }
Famitsu is reporting on the impressive demand for Capcom's PSP RPG Monster Hunter Portable 2nd, which has launched in Japan this morning. Around 140 people were in line outside the West Shinjuku branch of Yodobashi Camera before the store opened, while more than 200 people were at the Ikebukuro branch of Bic Camera. Promotion of Monster Hunter Portable 2nd has had an impact -- the game's TV commercial seems to have aired more frequently here in the past week than that of any other game (this blogger watches too much Japanese telly), and the PSP hardware-plus-game bundle also appears to be selling out in Tokyo. Chances are, this PSP hit will top next week's Japanese sales chart.
[Image credit: Famitsu]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
silkylove @ Feb 22nd 2007 4:38AM
This is the killer app we've been waiting for! PSP will overtake the DS in Japan by the end of March!:p
Aex @ Feb 22nd 2007 4:49AM
I really don't know if anything can outsell a DS lite in one week tho o.o Sure the numbers are going to be good for the PSP, but the DS lite... its just an oddity.
Avinash_Tyagi @ Feb 22nd 2007 5:01AM
Probably won't boost PSP sales much, those who want the game will likely already have a PSP
KC @ Feb 22nd 2007 5:05AM
Monster Hunter is a cool game, but I didnt know it was that popular over there.
Will we get the second one in the states?
Zero_ @ Feb 22nd 2007 5:18AM
I don't understand how Monster Hunter is so popular. I played the first one on the PSP, and it ranges from dull to mediocre. Gameplay was somewhat boring and the quests were boring. I did like some of the music though.
Baby21 @ Feb 22nd 2007 5:54AM
Hopefully it will be out in Europe.
Since it will be more likely won't able to reach to the USA as they are too fright to buy it.
NergiZed @ Feb 22nd 2007 5:59AM
I think PSP might sell a lot more than normal, like maybe 90k or 150k, but I'm not sure it can overtake the DS in sales. It probably will surpass the Wii's sales though.
Erwos @ Feb 22nd 2007 7:06AM
I gotta agree with the "underwhelmed" impressions about Monster Hunter Freedom. If there was ever a game that was killed by camera, that's the one. Maybe this second game will be better - we'll see.
Brandon @ Feb 22nd 2007 8:48AM
This will probably result in a boost for sony's sales in Japan. Maybe they should pull a nintendo, and milk this franchise for all its worth. Making Monster Hunter Party, Monster Hunter Tennis, Monsterdogs, Monster Hunter Diamond and Pearl, Monster Hunter Prime Echoes.
Just kidding (nindendo fans would kill me).Its nice to see that the demand is there when the game is right. If only the Japanese were more predictable in what they are going to latch on to. They can be so random and fickle with what becomes popular sometimes.
t_m @ Feb 22nd 2007 9:15AM
i remember watcing some guy play the first one on a train.. boy it looked dull.
That said, a few recent sales figures have madeit pretty clear that ADVERTISING WINS when it comes to selling games. And they sure have been advertising this to death.
daddycool @ Feb 22nd 2007 9:48AM
RPG's suck. Everyone in Japan is a nerd.
Car2oon @ Feb 22nd 2007 10:03AM
A popular PSP game!? *passes out*
Kyle81 @ Feb 22nd 2007 12:04PM
This game was reported as having over 400k preorders. The game is going to be number 1 for the week no doubt.
Monster Hunter is huge in Japan, they love the thing..... I never really got into it and it didn't do that amazing in the US, but well, the Japs love it.
Aex @ Feb 22nd 2007 12:19PM
I dont see how you guys cannot love monster hunter. Its an awesome roleplaying game, you get a character and you build up the weapons and try different fighting strategies instead of building levels. I personally love it, and sunk a good 20 hours into it on a week long trip to boston. Personally I can't wait til the USA version drops, because I can't read japanese :(
jaysins @ Feb 22nd 2007 12:26PM
@SWAZYCWAZY
Being so antisocial that you cannot handle a little sarcasm must be great. He was joking, he even put a :p symbol. Come on a :p obviously means that he wasn't being serious. Now go make some friends.
Silver R. Wolfe @ Feb 22nd 2007 1:05PM
Yeah, this is like Japan's fascination with all things DragonQuest, even though it didn't fair too well here. Just one of their fads.
Also, it seems to be confirmed to coming out state-side too.
Strangler @ Feb 22nd 2007 3:39PM
well monster hunter was the most preordered game in the hsitory of japan including previous dragonq eusts. Anyway:
"That said, a few recent sales figures have madeit pretty clear that ADVERTISING WINS when it comes to selling games. And they sure have been advertising this to death."
than epxlain loco roco.
StMadnes @ Feb 22nd 2007 4:03PM
Well i'm glad that some of you are looking forward to this game. As for me, i'm just utterly dissapointed!! Why?? Can you believe that these developer clowns didn't add infrastructure?!!
http://portablevideogamer.com/2007/02/capcom-exec-drops-hints-about-monster-hunter-freedom-2/
ManekiNeko @ Feb 22nd 2007 9:59PM
I bought the first Monster Hunter for the PSP and was extremely disappointed. What the Japanese see in this slow, plodding, and awkward series is anyone's guess!
JR