Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS arrives in Europe this week

19 March 2013 – It’s taken Japan by storm and now it’s Europe’s turn! Capcom’s Monster Hunter™ 3 Ultimate, the action-packed Japanese phenomenon for both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS launches across Europe this Friday, both as standalone software or in limited edition hardware bundles.

The Wii U Limited Edition Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Premium Pack not only features a black Wii U console with 32GB of storage*, but also a black Wii U Pro Controller and a copy of the game. The Nintendo 3DS XL Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Limited Edition Pack comes with the game pre-installed on a black Nintendo 3DS XL. The Nintendo 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro, which can be used with Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for Nintendo 3DS XL, will be also be launching in Europe on Friday 22nd March.

Enjoy an engrossing hunting experience with Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, whether playing on Wii U or Nintendo 3DS, with a game that utilises the unique functionalities of both consoles. Explore the unique and stunning world with the Wii U console’s HD graphics or enjoy 3D visuals on Nintendo 3DS. Fans who own both consoles, as well as a copy of the game for each system, can use the Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Data Transfer Program to transfer their progress from one console to the other and vice versa for a seamless experience between hunting on the go and in front of the TV. This application will be available from 22nd March as a free download on Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS.

Whether you want a solo expedition or join together in a hunting party of up to four players, both versions have you covered. Play online on your Wii U – chatting to other members of your hunting party using the built-in Wii U GamePad microphone** – or in local multiplayer on Nintendo 3DS via a local wireless connection. Alternatively, download the Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate Packet Relay Tools for Nintendo 3DS application for free from Nintendo eShop on Wii U in order to play the game online on your Nintendo 3DS, via a Wii U console connected to the Internet***. Players will also be able to enjoy local multiplayer sessions with up to three Nintendo 3DS systems wirelessly connected to a Wii U console, with each player requiring one system as well as a copy of the game.

For several months after release Capcom will continue to support Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate with additional free of charge downloadable content for both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. The first weeks’ worth of DLC includes the ‘Streaking with Bullfangos’ quest, Scholar, Graduate and Elder titles for players’ profiles and two additional Guild Card backgrounds, including a Lagiacrus motif.

A software update for the game on Wii U can be downloaded and installed at launch, enabling features such as voice chat, improved camera controls and the use of USB keyboards for text chat****. In addition to this, a second software update is planned for April, as a response to Capcom community feedback. This update will add online cross-region functionality, allowing fans from Europe and North America to play together online in up to four-player battles. The update will also add off-TV play functionality, enabling people to play the game using just the Wii U GamePad without the need for a TV screen.

For anyone wanting to have a taster of the Monster Hunter experience, head to Nintendo eShop on Wii U or Nintendo 3DS to download a free demo today. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate launches across Europe on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS this Friday, both as packaged software at retail and as a digital download on Nintendo eShop.

* 32 GB total system storage, part of which is reserved for system data.

** This feature can be enabled by downloading and installing a software update directly available at launch.

*** This application allows players of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on Nintendo 3DS to play the game online by using a Wii U console connected to the Internet via the Wii LAN Adapter or Wii U LAN Adapter (to be sold separately). Using this set-up, one Nintendo 3DS system can connect to the Wii U console, and play Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate online with other players, provided the online game is hosted by another player playing the game on Wii U. Please note that while the Wii U console is providing this function for the Nintendo 3DS system, it is not possible to simultaneously use the Wii U console for playing Wii U software or to connect locally to another Nintendo 3DS system. A copy of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for Wii U is not required.

**** Text and numeric inputs from a keyboard connected to the Wii U console via USB will allow players to use text chat in the game after installing the first software update. Please note that due to the abundance of available products on the market Nintendo cannot confirm compatibility by brand and type.