Why Monster Hunter Is So Popular In Japan (And Struggles Everywhere Else)

Kotaku: The Monster Hunter series wasn't always the "monster" (heh heh) hit it is currently. Originally released for the PS2, the first game, Monster Hunter, and its sequel, Monster Hunter G, sold less than a million copies each. It wasn't until the game went hand-held to the PSP with Monster Hunter Portable (Monster Hunter Freedom in the west) that Capcom scored their first million seller with the series.

There is, however, something to be said about the fact that the game series helped cement the PSP's popularity in Japan among the previous generation of handhelds (so much so that the PSP continues to outsell the PS Vita) as well as establish the popularity of the 3DS in the current generation of handhelds in Japan. Why does the series garner such popularity mainly in Japan?

[BlackTar187]

Man if they would only release and english version for us i think it would do better then the ps2 one did.

[Xof]

I dunno.

I think it would sell well in the West, on any platform, if they advertised it on TV.

I mean, hell, I don't even like monster hunter, but I can see that it has broad appeal. It's just that most gamers aren't very aware of it. Kind of like Ys, or Dragon Quest in the west.

[sloth3395]

also add online not just adhoc on a handheld system would help too

[Jason143]

Have you played monster hunter dos? You can patch it to english and play it in 1080p on pc and it looks absolutely incredible. It is still the best MH title. It is basically freedom unite ++++

[BlackTar187]

I have not but im looking into it today. Thanks for the info.

[WetN00dle69]

MONSTER HUNTER 3 ULTIMATE!!!!!!!
Me wants NAOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

[izumo_lee]

I believe the MH series is best on handhelds, & since handhelds are so popular in Japan the series is very successful.

It hasn't caught on in other territories cause handhelds aren't as big as the consoles. Most MH games are quick missions that do not take a lot of time, so experiencing them on handhelds feel more full filling.

[AWBrawler]

Nah, some missions can be long, especially when you just starting off. I literallly fought Lagiacrus for an hour the first time, and still lost

[BanBrother]

Why is it so popular in Japan? Because it's awesome.
Why is is not so popular everywhere else? Don't know.

Monter hunter is crazy. I think they never had huge marketing over here, that would be one reason. It definitely has the quality though. Nothing like taking down a gigantic boss for 20 minutes with a few other people.

[Jason143]

I know with my son and his friends they simply do not have the patience. Some of them found it fun until they saw what is required to build a weapon and set. It is all about the hunt and the chat amongst players imo. the article does a good job at pointing that out

[3-4-5]

Having All Boss battles just doesn't do it for me. Boss Battles are usually my least favorite parts of games.

I can see how some people would love this though.

[linkenski]

Factors that make the franchise unattractive to a western audience:

1. The Artstyle
2. THE NAME (Monster Hunter probably sounds cool to a japanese guy, but here we are decieved by the name to think it might be a generic if not bad title.

I love the franchise and i can't wait to get it for my 3DS, but it feels really japanese, and it does turn some types of people off.

[kesvalk]

well, here on Brazil everyone loves the Monster Hunter.

and the artstyle too.

[linkenski]

For sure, and i'm not denying that it has a certain popularity in other countries than Japan, but it's not the phenomenon as in Japan, and i think the title "Monster Hunter" sounds like a very... no, VERY generic title for a video game. I think it might scare some people away before even giving it a chance, because it seems like something anyone could have come up with.

It's just the fact that in the mainstream audience there are many people who still don't use gaming sites or medias in general, to get their informations about gaming and which games to buy. Those people will be looking at shelves in their local game store instead, and i don't think Monster Hunter seems to be appealing if you haven't got a clue about what it is.