With Nintendo just now wrapping up their European media summit, the big question has finally been answered. Will the Western release of Monster Hunter Tri require a monthly fee to play online?
No, no it won't. Online multiplayer is free, unlike the Japanese version. Yes, it was bigger than the meaning of life. Considering the franchise doesn't have a huge fanbase outside of Japan, it would have likely been suicide to charge a monthly fee. Nintendo's planning on spending big bucks to market this game for Capcom; expect to see an onslaught of adverts starring an Australian actor. Someone big... maybe Ian Smith (Harold Bishop). Thirty seconds of chin wobbling and they've got an instant best seller.
So, when is the Australian release date? While Nintendo Australia is remaining tight-lipped as usual, a little birdie at a certain electronic computerised video entertainment game-centric boutique (Godfreys vacuum cleaner factory outlet) has told us their database is showing May 20. That would put it about three weeks after the European launch, which seems about right considering the erratic delays we suffer.
The game will be sold as a standalone or bundled with a Classic Controller Pro for $99.95.
