When it comes to handheld sales, almost nothing has more impact than a Monster Hunter game. That's one of several reasons it was surprising to hear Capcom share thoughts about the next title in the series steering clear of the Vita, and they weren't kidding.
Monster Hunter 4 has finally been formally announced by Capcom. During this year's Game Jam event, Capcom debuted an impressive new trailer which shows many of the game's environments and encounters. See below:
The biggest things to note about the game are that it really is exclusive to Nintendo 3DS, will support the Circle Pad Pro peripheral, and is a direct sequel to the 2009 hit, Monster Hunter Tri.
I find it baffling that Sony wasn't able to strike a deal with Capcom, especially given that the Monster Hunter series lends itself well to dual-analog sticks—which 3DS owners will have to use a peripheral to replicate—and would look gorgeous on the Vita's screen. Whatever the reason is behind the Nintendo exclusivity, you can be sure that it wasn't a pretty sequence of events.
Monster Hunter 4 will release in Spring 2013.
