The time is here folks. Nintendo’s awesomely crafted Classic Controller Pro is now available for purchase here in North America. The controller is a revamped version of the Wii launch peripheral, the Classic Controller. The controller was initially developed specifically for the release of Monster Hunter Tri. In fact, Capcom helped Nintendo design the Pro.

Some of the most notable changes include the addition of handles, improved button spacing, two sets of R and L buttons, and the pesky cord has now been moved to the top of the controller.

I purchased one of these bad boys from Japan a few months ago, and I can say it’s near perfection. The only thing to remember is that it is not compatible with GameCube games played on your Wii console, something I forgot considering its likeness to a GC controller.

The Classic controller Pro is available in white or black for $19.99, or bundled with Monster Hunter Tri for $59.99.

Nintendo PR

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Capcom’s official Monster Hunter channel on YouTube now has the latest commercial for the North American launch of Monster Hunter Tri. You can see Ironbeard and the Lagiacrus above in the brand new spot. Enjoy!

Capcom-Unity

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The Monster Hunter franchise is known for showcasing impressive graphics in each of their games, and it seems they went to great lengths to ensure the same would be true for the Wii outing. Monster Hunter Tri‘s producer, Ryozo Tsujimoto, pointed out that their first planning project document for the game bluntly laid out that the game should have the best graphics out of any game in the Wii’s library. Did they succeed? Nintendo’s own president, Satoru Iwata, certainly thinks so.

“Looking at the graphics objectively, I feel like the game’s visuals are one of the representative examples of what can ultimately be done with Wii… I think it has placed the Zelda team under a considerable amount of pressure. [laughs]“

Considering that the most recent model of adult Link, used in Twilight Princess and Super Smash Bros. Brawl, is at least as old as E3 2004 (above), I’m sure whatever they’ve cooked up in the 6 years since then is going to be a step up from Twilight Princess.

Iwata Asks
via ONM

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The latest edition of Iwata Asks interviews Monster Hunter Tri producer Ryozo Tsujimoto and director Kaname Fujioka from Capcom, as the three men discuss Monster Hunter Tri and how Nintendo wanted to make every effort to help the title succeed. In it, Iwata reveals that the Monster Hunter Tri development team actually had a say in the design of the new Classic Controller Pro, specifically in regards to the placement of the analog sticks. Even people within Nintendo questioned the involvement of an outside company, but Iwata insisted that if a new controller was to be made to cater to previous Monster Hunter fans, the developers should at least approve it.

Understandably, Capcom was surprised that Nintendo sought their input on the controller, but eventually they suggested where the analog sticks should be located. In the end, they decided on a very “Dual Shock 2″ placement of both analog sticks.

Iwata Asks
via Joystiq

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If you want to show your love for Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, or you just want to try your hand at winning one of the prize packs, a new tribute contest may be right up your alley. If you can demonstrate your passion for the games in any way imaginable, you could win at least a Classic Controller Pro, Wii Speak Package, and a copy of Monster Hunter Tri for the Wii if you top your category. The grand prize winner will win all of the above as well as a brand new Wii console.

You can only enter once, but when they say you can submit “anything,” they aren’t kidding. As examples, Capcom lists baked goods, models, music, cosplay, a video, fan fiction, and other art as being acceptable. You have until the end of the day on April 19th to enter, so get creating!

Capcom-Unity

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This is the second trailer in the series that follows the blonde monster hunter on his journey. First we saw him roaming the streets looking for a delicious monster burger, or a way to cook the dead monster in the back of his pick-up truck. Now, he’s watching a poor Zebra meet his demise.

The trailer also shows off a lot of new gameplay, which is just what us westerners want to see, since most of us are pretty new to this whole Monster Hunter Tri thing. Take a peak above and see if you’re not inspired to slay.

GoNintendo

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There’s nothing new or revealing in this trailer. Actually, it doesn’t even have any game footage. It’s one of the new promo trailers for Capcom’s Monster Hunter Tri that I simply thought needed to be shared. Enjoy!

Official Nintendo Magazine

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  Split-screen multiplayer shots of Monster Hunter Tri
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Exciting for Capcom’s Monster Hunter Tri? I know you are.

While most of you will be enjoying multiplayer modes while online like a normal gamer of this decade, many of us still enjoy the good ol’ split-screen gaming a la the 90s. You’ll be able to enjoy Monster Hunter Tri while playing offline with a buddy, and there are some new screens out that show off just how the game’s split-screen mode will look.

Nintendo Everything

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To celebrate the upcoming release of Monster Hunter Tri, Capcom held a special BBQ event in Los Angeles this past Tuesday, at the fitting La Brea Tar Pits.

A delicious array of dragon ribs, bbq chicken and beer made this a feast for champions. They even had cool monster mugs!

Staff and fans were on hand to partake in the food and beverages, all while playing some Monster Hunter Tri on one of the eight flat screen TVs available.

Take a gander at some of the photos from the event in our gallery below the break.

Delicious food mixed with an awesome new game makes me drool a bit. Don’t judge!

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Capcom

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Monster Hunter is coming, and that means preorder bonus announcements! Capcom has announced that those in Europe who reserve their copy or bundle of next month’s Monster Hunter Tri will get a free Rathalos head figurine. Monster Hunter Tri will launch in Europe as the standalone title, and as a bundle that will include the game, a black Classic Controller Pro, Wii Speak and a Lagiacrus head figurine. You’ll receive the preorder bonus regardless of which version you buy. Preordering the North American release of the game will knock $5 off the price of the game, plus you’ll receive a 500 Nintendo Shop Points card.

The game features a wide array of creatures, living in their own ecosystem in a land where humans and monsters coexist. As a hunter, you’ll have to learn the weaknesses of the different monsters before taking them on. The game supports online multiplayer using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, and WiiSpeak to chat with friends while taking down enemy beasts.

Monster Hunter Tri will release April 23rd in Europe, and April 20th in North America.

Nintendo

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The Nintendo Media Summit has moved onto discussing Monster Hunter Tri, and there’s both new and old information to relish. As previously announced, Monster Hunter Tri will be bundled with the new classic controller pro and will be Wii Speak compatible. Now we also know that the online play will be free (predictable but nice to know nonetheless). Text chat will also be available.

A two-quest demo will make an appearance at Gamestop on March 8.  Those who pre-order will get an exclusive Monster Hunter Tri card with 500 Wii points that can be used on anything on Virtual Console or WiiWare. The bundle itself will be available starting April 20, 2010.

IGN

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If you haven’t jumped on the Monster Hunter Tri bandwagon yet, Capcom is doing everything in their power to convert you. Not only will the Japan mega hit title come to the U.S. and Europe this April, but Tri will fully support the rarely implemented Wii Speak peripheral. The device allows multiple gamers in one room to speak with other gamers from around the globe, without the use of a headset.

Wii Speak has only been used in a few titles since it’s release in 2008, less than 10 in fact. Even the Japanese release of Monster Hunter Tri did not support the voice chat peripheral.  The game’s multiplayer mode features both a split screen co-operative mode and online multiplayer featuring epic battles with ginormous monsters.

Get your swords sharpened and your shields ready, folks.

Capcom

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Capcom has announced this morning that Monster Hunter Tri will finally release this April for $49.99.  The game will also release bundled with the Classic Controller Pro, an updated version of the current Classic Controller. The Pro was designed specifically with Monster Hunter Tri in mind, with revisions such as spaced out buttons, cord moved to the top of the controller, and two sets of R and L buttons. Tri is also playable with Wii Remote, Nunchuk or Classic Controller options.

“Monster Hunter Tri delivers an incredible new experience on Wii, while the Classic Controller Pro gives players even more control options for their favorite Wii games,” said Steve Singer, Nintendo of America’s VP of Licensing. “[The game] has made a huge splash in the Japanese market, and we’re confident the bundle with the Classic Controller Pro will give fans in North America plenty to get excited about.” In Japan, Monster Hunter Tri sold 520,000 units within its first week. That is quite a splash, so much so that Capcom’s spent months trying to get the title perfect when localizing for U.S. gamers.

The controller will be available separately for $19.99 in both white and black at launch, and will be compatible with over 450 Wii, WiiWare and Virtual Console titles. The Tri and Pro bundle will be available for $59.99. Check out the full U.S. boxart below.

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Monster Hunter Tri was confirmed as coming to the West way back in the summer, but with the NA release just around the corner, the hoopla is heating up, with screen caps and videos flyin’ left and right! We’re still locked into an “early 2010″ date (my prediction is that we’re looking at March), but with the re-release of related press assets and new screenshots, it looks as though an announcement might be coming soon. Until then, check out the updated gallery full of screenshots, both new and old. Monster Hunter Tri promises to be “One of the most strikingly beautiful titles ever developed for the Wii”, and from the looks of things, it’ll live up to the hype!

The third in the series promises a co-op two player split screen mode and the ability to compile a team of four players through the Wii’s Wi-Fi. Prepare to explore rich environments (including an all new sub-aqua environment, a series first) and vividly depicted ecosystems as man lives alongside the beautiful creatures of their monster inhabited world. Players who are returning to this smash franchise can also enjoy all new items, weapons, and armor. And yes, you can now hunt underwater!

We’ll update you here as soon as Monster Hunter Tri has an official release date.

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London – August 3rd, 2009 – Following its recent and highly successful launch in Japan with day one shipment numbers exceeding one million, Capcom®, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, is pleased to confirm that Monster Hunter Tri will be released in both Europe and North America for the Wii in early 2010. Monster Hunter Tri will set the bar in the action/adventure genre with the introduction of new features and gameplay elements as the multi-million selling franchise makes its debut on the Nintendo system.

One of the most strikingly beautiful titles ever developed for the Wii, Monster Hunter Tri depicts a living, breathing ecosystem where man co-exists with the fantastic beasts that roam both the dry land and the brand new sub-aqua environment – a first for the series.

Living the life of a hunter need never be a solitary experience with the option of split-screen mode where two players can hunt co-operatively or form a team of up to four hunters via the game’s custom online Wi-Fi mode. Even solo players do not have to face Monster Hunter Tri’s challenging quests alone as they will be ably accompanied by Cha-Cha, an AI hunting partner whose skills will prove invaluable. New items, weapons and armour sets will be also available to assist the hunters as they embark on the most epic Monster Hunter adventure to date.

Laurent Fischer, Managing Director, Marketing & PR, Nintendo of Europe, commented “The popularity of the Monster Hunter franchise in Japan is undeniable and the Day 1 shipment number indicates that the release of Monster Hunter Tri on Wii will be another major hit for the series. We are therefore really excited that Capcom is bringing this title to Europe so the Wii audience here can also experience the thrill of the hunt. “

Visitors to this month’s GamesCom – taking place in Cologne, Germany from the 19th-23rd August – will be the first to sample a localised version of the title on Capcom’s stand as it makes its debut to a western audience. GamesCom attendees will have the opportunity to play the same game that took last year’s Tokyo Game Show by storm, with queues that stretched around Capcom’s stand so long they nearly shut down the show; eager gamers waited in excess of two hours to play.

This desire to be one of the first to experience Monster Hunter Tri is indicative of the impact the Monster Hunter franchise has made on videogame culture in Japan. With series sales totalling well over 10 million units and 3.5 million sales of Monster Hunter Portable 2G alone, it’s no surprise to find that Monster Hunter has given rise to dedicated “Monster Hunter Summer Training Camps”, ”Monster Hunter Festivals” and numerous licensed products. The franchise doesn’t just top the charts, it’s become a social phenomenon.

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In some surprising and disappointing news, Capcom has announced that some of its biggest upcoming titles are getting pushed back. Lost Planet 2, Super Street Fighter IV, Dead Rising 2 and Monster Hunter Tri are all getting delayed until at least after April 1st of 2010.

As revealed in documents detailing the company’s sales forecast, 4th quarter competition is the sole reason for the delay. The move will also help “preserve the value of Capcom’s titles” and “expand the lineup of titles in the next fiscal year,” according to the documents.

This is such a big disappointment, as many of the delayed titles were must-buys for first and second quarter 2010.  It has also been rumored that Super Street Fighter IV would now see an April 1st release.  After all, another delay for the game would be just a cruel April Fool’s joke.

Kotaku

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