Monster Hunter Tri (also called Monster Hunter 3) is the third game in the Monster Hunter series. It was created by Capcom and first released for the Wii in Japan on August 1, 2009. The game was later released on April 20, 2010, in North America, April 23 in Europe, and April 29 in Australia.
Originally, the game was planned for the PlayStation 3, but the project was canceled because it was too expensive to develop for that console. Capcom chose to make the game for the Wii instead. Before its release, a demo of Monster Hunter Tri was included with Japanese copies of Monster Hunter G. A special package was also released on August 1, 2009, which included the game, a black Wii console, and a Classic Controller Pro. On August 3, 2009, Capcom announced that the game would be made available in North America and Europe. On February 24, 2010, Capcom said online play would be free. In North America and Europe, separate servers were used, and the game supported Wii Speak, which made it the first Monster Hunter game to have built-in voice chat. The game was a success with both critics and players.
An improved version called Monster Hunter 3 (tri-) G in Japan and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate in other regions was released for the Nintendo 3DS in Japan in December 2011 and in North America and Europe in March 2013. The online servers for the Wii versions of the game in North America and Europe were closed on April 30, 2013.
Gameplay
Players of Monster Hunter Tri take on the role of a hunter from the Hunting Guild, assigned to help Moga Village, a small fishing community threatened by monsters from a nearby deserted island. The player helps the village by completing free hunts on the island, where they collect materials and kill or capture monsters. These monsters are turned into resources used to improve the village. The player also completes time-limited quests for the Guild, usually by killing or capturing a monster in a specific area, which earns in-game money (zenny) and materials used to create equipment that helps the player fight stronger monsters. Improving the village gives the player access to a farming area and a fishing fleet, where they can gather herbs, mushrooms, bugs, and honey. These resources also allow the player to obtain companions for help during hunts and access a trader who provides rare items.
The player starts with 1 point of defense and can increase it by creating armor. The player chooses from one of ten weapon types, divided into melee weapons (like swords and hammers) and ranged weapons (like bows and bowguns). Each weapon has a unique way of being used. Sword users must build up attacks to increase a combo meter for more damage, but they must watch their weapon’s sharpness. Bow users can make quick, weak attacks or use special coatings on arrows to weaken enemies. The player can also wear different armor sets that improve attack and defense. Some weapons and armor have slots where gem decorations can be added to boost their power. Certain armor pieces give special skills, and if the player equips a full set that meets skill thresholds, they gain extra benefits, like full resistance to fire or poison. The player can switch weapons and armor in the village.
To progress, the player must collect parts from large monsters they are assigned to kill and use them to forge or upgrade weapons and armor. With better equipment, the player can take on harder Guild quests, gaining access to more monster parts and resources to craft stronger gear.
In the game, the player has a health meter and a stamina meter, both starting at 150. The player also has an item pouch with limited space for storing resources like healing potions, bombs, and materials. Some materials can be combined to make stronger items, like better healing potions. If the pouch is full, the player must discard or replace items. If the player’s health drops to zero, they are rescued to a base camp and can restart the mission. However, if they fail three times, they return to the village without any rewards. The stamina meter decreases during intense actions like running, dodging, or attacking but regains when walking. If stamina runs out, the player must pause briefly to catch their breath, making them vulnerable. Stamina also decreases over time in the field, though some items can restore it. During free hunts, the player can leave the field and return to the village at any time, keeping collected items. During quests, failing to complete the mission or abandoning it means losing any rewards.
Players with both the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U versions can transfer character data between systems, allowing them to continue building their character on either device.
The Monster Hunter games on the Wii and Wii U include an online feature where up to four players can team up for new quests. Players travel to a nearby city harbor port to start these quests. The game uses the same character data as the single-player mode, letting players build better equipment from quest rewards in both modes. Online quests feature tougher monsters than single-player quests because more players are available to fight them. These quests are divided into ranks, and players must complete all quests in a rank before moving to the next. Limited items, such as healing and restorative items, can be traded with other players during online quests or in the game’s online hub. Equipment, monster parts, and resources needed to make better gear cannot be traded.
The Wii version of online play was shut down, but the Wii U version remained active until the Nintendo Network closed in 2024, a decade after the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service was discontinued.
Development
The ecosystems in Monster Hunter Tri have grown to include underwater areas. In a 2017 interview, Director Kaname Fujioka explained that the team wanted to add underwater sections and combat to the game. They aimed to try something new and test how underwater battles could work. Although underwater combat was included in Monster Hunter Tri, Fujioka noted that developing these sections required too much time, which limited progress on other parts of the game. Because of this, underwater combat has not been included in later Monster Hunter games, but the team hopes to return to the idea in the future.
Eighteen new monsters were added to the game. Three bosses from earlier games—Rathalos, Rathian, and Diablos—returned, but their artificial intelligence was completely redesigned. Each weapon class received new moves and updates. Some weapon classes were removed, likely because creating underwater battles for each weapon took too much time. The weapon classes that remained in the final version were Sword and Shield, Great Sword, Hammer, Bowguns (Light and Heavy), Lance, Longsword, and the new Switch Axe, which can change between Axe and Sword forms.
Producer Tsujimoto Ryozo stated that Capcom values voice chat and considers it important for players in Western countries. This suggested that Monster Hunter Tri’s Western releases might include support for the Wii Speak microphone, which was later confirmed. Two special bundles of the game were announced. One bundle for North America and Europe included a black Classic Controller Pro. A European-exclusive bundle added a Wii Speak device and Classic Controller Pro. GameStop offered a free demo disc of the game in North America. GAME confirmed a European bundle called the "Exclusive Edition," which included the game, Wii Speak, a black Classic Controller Pro, and an ornamental head of the monster featured on the game’s cover art, Lagiacrus.
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate is a video game for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. It is similar to Monster Hunter Portable 3rd. The 3DS version was released on December 10, 2011, in Japan as Monster Hunter Tri G. It includes local wireless play. In Japan, Famitsu confirmed that Monster Hunter Tri G was an expanded version of Monster Hunter Tri. It was the first game to support the Circle Pad Pro add-on. The game was also sold in two bundles: one with a special edition 3DS and another with the add-on. It was released for the Wii U, which includes improved HD graphics, full online play, local multiplayer, and the ability to transfer game progress from the Nintendo 3DS. The Wii U version is called Monster Hunter 3G HD Ver. in Japan and was released on December 8, 2012, when the Wii U launched in Japan. The 3DS version was later released as a downloadable game on the Nintendo eShop two days earlier at a slightly lower price. Tri G was released in North America and Europe as Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate in March 2013 for both the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. Monster Hunter 4 for the 3DS was also announced, originally scheduled to release in Japan the same month as Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate in North America and Europe but delayed until Summer 2013. The North American and European releases were later set for March 19 and 22, 2013. A demo of the game was released on February 21, 2013.
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate brings back underwater combat, which was not included in the Japanese-only sequel, Monster Hunter Portable 3rd. This is the first time the Gunlance, Bow, Hunting Horn, and Dual Blades can be used in underwater combat. The game also reintroduces G-Rank, a level above high rank that includes new quests, stronger monsters, and improved weapons and armor. G-Rank first appeared in Monster Hunter Freedom Unite and is now included in a third-generation Monster Hunter title. The game features a new online hub called "Tanzia Port," unlike the "Loc Lac City" hub from Tri, which required an internet connection to access. Players can complete quests on their own without being online.
Reception
The game and its Ultimate version received "favorable reviews" on all platforms, according to the video game review website Metacritic. In Japan, the magazine Weekly Famitsu gave the Wii version a score of 40 out of 40, making it the 11th game to earn a perfect rating in the magazine's 20-year history. It was also the third game for the Wii to receive such a score.
411Mania gave the Wii version a score of 8.8 out of 10 and described it as "an enjoyable experience with a system that keeps players coming back, similar to many online role-playing games. Playing with friends can lead to many hours of fun hunting together. Even when playing alone, there is a lot to do. However, while fans of the series will likely enjoy Monster Hunter Tri, the game has some problems that need to be fixed if it is to attract more Western players." The A.V. Club gave it a B+ and said, "The ability to create new gear from monster parts is a reason to enjoy Monster Hunter Tri's world." The Escapist gave it a score of 4 out of 5 and said, "There is something satisfying about defeating a large monster and wearing its skin as a trophy."
The Digital Fix gave the Wii U version a score of 9 out of 10 and said it "could be a strong reason to own a Wii U early in the console's life. The single-player mode is easier for new players to learn, while more difficult missions keep experienced players interested. New monsters and one new location were added, but most of the game's systems are the same as in previous versions." The National Post gave the same version of Ultimate a score of 8.5 out of 10 and said, "The bigger screen and 1080p HD graphics improve the game's appearance, though the game still looks like it was made for a handheld device. The game runs more smoothly and allows online play with others." However, the newspaper gave the 3DS version a score of 7 out of 10 and said, "On the 3DS, the only option is to play with others in the same room. This requires everyone to have a 3DS, a copy of the game, and to be in the same place. The limited multiplayer, lack of a second control stick (without an extra accessory), and small text are reasons the 3DS version received a lower score than the Wii U version." The Daily Telegraph gave the Wii U version a score of 4 out of 5 and said, "The Monster Hunter series is still excellent but can be difficult to understand. How much you enjoy the game depends on how much time and effort you are willing to put in. If you have little time or patience, you might not enjoy it. But if you are willing to learn the game thoroughly, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate is important." Digital Spy gave the same version a score of 4 out of 5 and said, "With exciting battles, good online play, and future free challenges, Monster Hunter 3: Ultimate is helpful for Nintendo's new console." The Escapist also gave it a score of 4 out of 5 and said, "Although some parts of the game may be frustrating, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate is a good game. It is especially fun to play with others."
Monster Hunter Tri sold over one million copies before its Japanese release. It was the top-selling game in Japan for the week ending August 2, 2009, with 520,000 copies sold. By December 12, 2009, Monster Hunter Tri was the best-selling third-party game for the Wii in Japan, with 960,000 copies sold. By June 30, 2012, over 1.9 million copies had been sold on the Wii. By December 31, 2015, 2.6 million copies had been sold on the 3DS.