Monster Hunter Portable 2nd sells a million in Japan

by Jonti Davies { Mar 6th 2007 at 11:22AM }

It's not unusual to see million-selling games on the DS (as Tom Jones would have crooned), but Monster Hunter Portable 2nd is the first PSP game to manage that feat inside Japan. The game got off to a great start last week and, according to a press release from Capcom, as of today one million units have been shipped to retail. Whether this is the start of something big in terms of a comeback for the PSP, or just a one-off success story, it still leaves Sony with an awful lot of work to do if it intends the PSP to ever catch up with the DS' phenomenal performance in Japan. Either way, it's great news for Capcom!

Tags: Capcom, Japan, million, Monster Hunter Portable, MonsterHunterPortable, sales

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Kevin @ Mar 6th 2007 11:33AM

Now only if it could do it 20 times over with 5 of those games hitting the +4Mill mark...

Phranctoast @ Mar 6th 2007 11:36AM

great news for ps3 in Japan with MH 3 making it to that system.

IanC @ Mar 6th 2007 11:40AM

1 Million shipped, not sold. Big difference there.

Myke @ Mar 6th 2007 11:40AM

I've been wondering this for awhile, so I might as well ask it here, can you get a white PSP here in the states?

Ben @ Mar 6th 2007 11:52AM

DS/Nintendo fans, here is an important piece of information that you should know. Each time you hijack a thread like this with your negative comments, it shows a great deal of insecurity. I think that this, more than any single game leads to the Nintendo kiddie image.

I personally own stock in Nintendo. That being said, you will not find me taking cheap shots at Sony, the PSP or the PS3. I think it's about time the rest of you go back to playing games and grow up just a little bit.

Stewwo @ Mar 6th 2007 11:58AM

That"s rigt, go PSP!!!!!!!!!

Screw Kiddie DS games!!!!!!!!

Szu @ Mar 6th 2007 12:01PM

@ 6

Not for nothing, but PSP fans should exercise some restraint too.

Myke @ Mar 6th 2007 12:01PM

Wow Ben, jumping the gun a bit there? I didn't see one reference to any Nintendo product in the comments until yours...

Evan @ Mar 6th 2007 12:03PM

One game cannot turn a console war. Even if Halo was instrumental in selling 5 million XBoxes, 5 million is a small fraction of the 160 million total PS2s, XBoxes, and GameCubes sold.

Vidikron @ Mar 6th 2007 12:04PM

@7

I'm pretty sure #1 was.

LaurenGamespeek @ Mar 6th 2007 12:06PM

@4

I figure you have to hunt around really hard to find a retailer that has a white one. I bought my white one from play-asia.com. It won't play American movie UMDs, but why would you want to go and buy those? : )

BPM @ Mar 6th 2007 12:06PM

Congrats, Capcom. You've helped the competition stay alive. Maybe it'll force Nintendo to work harder...

NintendoFanbot @ Mar 6th 2007 12:09PM

"DS/Nintendo fans, here is an important piece of information that you should know. Each time you hijack a thread like this with your negative comments, it shows a great deal of insecurity. I think that this, more than any single game leads to the Nintendo kiddie image."

Now who's jumping the gun? ;)

Capcom is win. PERIOD.

eagleclaw @ Mar 6th 2007 12:11PM

@Ben Can you validate to me that you actually own stock in Nintendo? Post a link to prove your not lying because I think you are a Sony fanboy just based on tha last sentence in your post.

Myke @ Mar 6th 2007 12:13PM

Vid - Well, he may have been comparing sales numbers, but I'd hardly call that hijacking the thread. Oh well, to each his own. So the white psp's from playasia.com will play all the normal us psp games and will be compatible with all the firmware and homebrew stuff? sorry if that's an ignorant question but I've never considered getting a psp until just recently.

sheppy @ Mar 6th 2007 12:16PM

"I've been wondering this for awhile, so I might as well ask it here, can you get a white PSP here in the states?"

Play-Asia FTW! Prices are the same as domestic core units and the XMB can be set to English (likewise, it will support US firmware).

Metallic Blue
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-9e-49-en-70-1p3v.html

Champagne Gold
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-9e-49-en-70-1ss6.html

Ceramic White (My fav... and I own one)
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-9e-49-en-70-1afg.html

Silver
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-9e-49-en-70-1p3u.html

Pink
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-9e-49-en-70-1p3t.html

And I have nothing but good experiences with Play-Asia. Hell, they even have my preorder on DJ Max Portable 2- Orphues Black Edition. If you go through their bargain section, some nifty imports in their bargain bins as well.

Petey @ Mar 6th 2007 12:18PM

Gotta love the headline... talk about spin!!!

sheppy @ Mar 6th 2007 12:20PM

Yes, PSP is region free so it will play domestic and import games with no problems. Region locking is only on UMD media (like seriously... are they really that worried Japan might enjoy Nirvana: Nevermind?) and as stated earlier, the initial setup allows you to set the language.

As for homebrew, Dark Alex's latest 3.10 should do more than fine for a while. As for how to downgrade, well, check various forums. Not sure what firmware PSPs are shipping with nowadays though.

sheppy @ Mar 6th 2007 12:50PM

"1 Million shipped, not sold. Big difference there."

OMG, you are totally right. After all, a game manages to sell 700,000+ in it's first week and that's all it will sell. That's it, baby. Likewise, I bet, when the game hits the states and the UK, not a single fucking copy will sell. Poor PSP, stuck with another game that won't break 700K...

maverick_saturn_626 @ Mar 6th 2007 12:27PM

Monster Hunter wasn't exactly on my list of PSP games to buy up until recently, I have been watching its progress, and I must say I'm impressed, compared to the number of long RPGs I have on DS, I was laking something long and entertaining for PSP, I was planning on picking up FF, but now I think I'll snatch them both up :)

This game looks cool, glass up to Capcom.

Ben @ Mar 6th 2007 12:47PM

@ Eagleclaw, I am at work now but once I get home I can provide proof. Not that this is proof but I can tell you that the stock symbol for Nintendo is NTDOY and it is currently trading at $31.91 as of this writing. I own 20 shares and was considering buying more.

For all the "jump the gun" comments. First off, comment # was the typical "so what if the PSP has a game that has sold 1 million copies, DS has multiple games that have sold 4 million+". It may have said DS in the post but what do you really think they were talking about. Post #3 brings up our favorite sold/shipped debate. Shipped means sold to retailers.

I have owned every Nintendo system, I also have a 360 and a PS3. I am personally above console bashing but that doesn't mean that I can't call out the occassional fanboy.

The bottom line is that each of these systems has something to offer. It irks me everytime a positive story is twisted into someting negative so that a fanboy can validate their own purchase. Trust me, I have been just as critical to all of the Sony fanboys claiming Xbox 1.5 and to the Microsoft/Nintendo fans with all of their recent cheap shots at PS3.

It's all fanboy crap and it really should stop on all fronts.

VampireHunter Z @ Mar 6th 2007 12:54PM

I haven't seen footage of this game until recently. The gameplay mechanics look a lot like Lost Planet in a fantasy world with huge swords. They should bring one of these games to 360.

As usual Capcom kicks ass. Keep bringing out great games.

Myke @ Mar 6th 2007 12:58PM

As far as I'm concerned the sold/shipped debate is moot anyway. Who are we comparing sales with? How many games the COMPANY sells, correct? Well boys and girls, when a game is shipped to a retailer (whether or not it EVER gets purchased by a consumer) that game is bought and paid for as far as the company knows. If a retailer has problems moving goods then they won't buy more, but if a retailer is buying more games that means they're selling and by the time a game leaves the door of Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft/Capcom/EA/etc. they have already gotten their $, you can count on that.

uhhuh @ Mar 6th 2007 1:04PM

"Now only if it could do it 20 times over with 5 of those games hitting the +4Mill mark..."

The fact that shit like "Brain Training part XXX" or any Pokemon game sells a gazillion copies isn't exactly a testament to the greatness of DS.

josh @ Mar 6th 2007 1:33PM

"17. Gotta love the headline... talk about spin!!!"

Huh? Did the headline change or something? I'm seeing "Monster Hunter Portable 2nd sells a million in Japan" which doesn't seem to have any spin at all. Monster Hunter Portable 2nd, a game, sold a million copies in Japan...

redspear @ Mar 6th 2007 1:25PM

It is a phenominal feat to sell that well on the PSP in Japan. It also moves systems. It will be a million seller because it has sold over 70% of that in its first week. Even if it drops fast it will still sell about 1.5 million which any game by any manufacturer would love to have. There was 1 PSP sold for every 7 copies somthing that Sony most love adn is something that has been a trend for long time a godo or greatly anticipated game comes out for the PSP and sales spike up and take a while to go down look at the US December NPD for proof(Metal Gear Ops.

Usually I sound like a fanboy. Arguing the whole graphics and control thing(mouse Keyboard FTW) but you have to see the good news too. A game that is popular is one that many like even if you don't and so if games like this come out that make the PSP fun than it is good news to eeryone.

That said the DS iss still kicking its ass..

Myke @ Mar 6th 2007 1:33PM

redspear - English please...

redspear @ Mar 6th 2007 9:56PM

Also wanted to say that this whole shipped sold thing doesn't matter when a game/system sells out. It is mute for the Wii and for this game. In the long run it is also mute but in the short run it is not. for a while the PSP had five million units sitting on shelves WW Sony had to cut shipments down to a million over the holidays and it looks like the stock is starting to move off the shelves. The XBOX 360 also "overshipped" but that stock will move off the shelves before June. This game is most likely sold out(so sold/shipped is mute) if it sold 700K and will probably not be easily found for another week or so. So 1 million is more than guaranteed.

BTW sold out does not not mean there aren't any sitting in the stores it just means that a plurality of stores have no stock available.

Aex @ Mar 6th 2007 2:01PM

@uhhuh

YES IT IS! The sale of vastly popular franchise games and Brain training is a great testament to the power of the DS!

/snickers

sheppy @ Mar 6th 2007 2:05PM

Just because the DS fanboys gotta bring up comparison sales doesn't mean everyone else should. Let's leave the DS and it's "non-games" bashing out of this.

There, DS fanboys. I stuck up for you, now leave this thread.

Screwed @ Mar 6th 2007 2:09PM

Myke,
I sympathize your IQ level. Your poor comprehension only allow you to read something that have to be pretty much straight forward. Other than that, you won't understand. Well suck to be you but I can understand redspear just fine. Poor Myke.

chris @ Mar 6th 2007 2:46PM

have any of you ever played a monster hunter game either on psp or ps2 the game itself is crack addictive as fuck i dont care wut system it comes out for im gettin it and MH3 is slated for ps3 in 2008

NintendoFanbot @ Mar 6th 2007 2:16PM

Yeah, fights NEVER begin with anti-fanboy elitism, m i rite?

Myke @ Mar 6th 2007 2:36PM

Wow, "Screwed", given the complete lack of structure in your comment, I'd venture to guess that you, in fact, ARE redspear under a different name. Either way, with GraMeRR Sk1LLZ like yours it's no doubt you found no error in redspear's comment. Thanks for playing.

redspear @ Mar 6th 2007 2:41PM

Thanks Screwed

Anyways reading my own posts can be very painful at times because I always have a ton of typos. I would go back and fix it except there is no way to edit on Joystiq.

In short.

This game is selling great and it should continue. It also has the bonus of being a system seller bringing in new people to a system. It doesn't kill the competition because the DS still sold awesomely as usual but it does expand the market which is a good thing.

The shipped/sold thing is not valid argument because in this case it is essentially the same thing and not a case of overshipping.

-system seller
-expands the market
-shows good or popular games are what is important
-does not kill competition

Because you do not like a game(in this case I belong in this catergory) does not mean that others don't. As gamers there are ton of popular games that I don't like and a ton of popular games I do like. To a developer all that matters is that it is popular or sells.

required @ Mar 6th 2007 2:51PM

"The fact that shit like "Brain Training part XXX" or any Pokemon game sells a gazillion copies isn't exactly a testament to the greatness of DS."

I agree.

Screwed @ Mar 6th 2007 2:52PM

Myke oh Myke, Lack of structure. WOW, are you teaching english classes here. Yeah I find it that those who anal in english usually are lacks the comprehension to understand typo and pick up common mistakes. Good thing you are not English teacher, because you will fail at it. You might be anal but you lack the IQ. Go ahead give me a big "F". That's the only thing you can brag about an "A" in english.

redspear @ Mar 6th 2007 2:54PM

Myke,

Comprehension and grammer are two seperate things. If you can comprehend something that is all that really matters. You turn around and thow and Ad Hominem and a Red Herring to Screwed's response. The internet is not a place of grammer checks or even spelling checks. You can have a discussion over it without even using perfect gramemr or spelling.

I am sure many people can understand that "wihtout" is "without".

Did you know that most people do not even read the full word. Quite a few only look at the begining letter and the end letter and quickly peruse the word itself. This is why typos get by all the time.

However with your understanding of communication, please never goto a China town and ask directions you will get lost. Especially if you ask them what happened(there is no past tense in chinese).

BTW I am not Screwed. Relax the world is a big place and some people do not put the same emphasis on the same things you do. I have no idea how you would deal with dyslexics and foreigners.

Aex @ Mar 6th 2007 2:54PM

If there is a ps3 price drop by the time MH3 comes out, that will be the day I pick up my ps3. As tempting as it will be the months before that, without a price drop I will not faulter!

Myke @ Mar 6th 2007 2:56PM

Uh-oh, this thread's resident eThug, Screwed, got sand in his vagina. Watch out. I have to say though, he did manage to use the word "anal" twice in one paragraph, kudos.

Screwed @ Mar 6th 2007 3:00PM

ethug?? did I say I'm gonna beat you up??? Well I believe redspear's orignal post has some valid points but you just came in and "ENGLISH Please".. oohh take one to know one i guess.

sheppy @ Mar 6th 2007 3:03PM

"Myke oh Myke, Lack of structure. WOW, are you teaching english classes here. Yeah I find it that those who anal in english usually are lacks the comprehension to understand typo and pick up common mistakes. Good thing you are not English teacher, because you will fail at it. You might be anal but you lack the IQ. Go ahead give me a big "F". That's the only thing you can brag about an "A" in english."

This is what happens when the English Language goes walking through Central Park at 3 AM. It gets murdered. Thanks, Screwed. Your posts always read like a google translation.

chris @ Mar 6th 2007 3:49PM

i cant wait for monster hunter frontier for pc its a MH mmorpg

Vidikron @ Mar 6th 2007 3:08PM

How did a thread about the PSP and MHP2 turn into an internet grammar debate? Oh, yeah, and arguing about grammar on the internet is a total waste of time. Have fun with that.

sheppy @ Mar 6th 2007 3:12PM

I'm just amused that someone busting out a rant on reading comprehension believes it's somehow seperate from grammar. Besides, Vidikron, do you really want it to go back to the usual "Sony lies" and "DS sucks" circles?

Myke @ Mar 6th 2007 3:15PM

Vid might have a point sheppy. Can we wrap this up with a little Captain Planet love?

EARTH!!!

redspear @ Mar 6th 2007 3:17PM

Sheppy,

Sheppy "English Language" is not capitalized unless it is a name or place like "Central Park". If it were on of those the use of the word "the" in front of it is innappropiate because it would already be definite as to what the palce or name is. the are some exclusions. However with the word "the" in front you do not capitalize.

Also Central Park is very safe even at 3am.

All that said I understood what you meant.

Now can we end this innane argument and get back to talking about the article. You know the one that deals with a chart topping PSP game in DS land?