Earlier today, Nintendo of Japan hosted a Monster Hunter Nintendo Direct. Featured in Japanese, the Direct discussed the Monster Hunter series’ future through a brand new instalment: an enhanced version of Monster Hunter Generations. Monster Hunter XX (Double Cross) is coming to Nintendo 3DS next year in Japan.
Coming to Japan on March 18th, 2017, Monster Hunter XX (Double Cross) expands on the original Monster Hunter Generations (known as Monster Hunter X in the West) through a variety of features. Two new Hunting styles are headed to the series, G-rank is being implemented within the game, a new monster has been added and a variety of combat scenes have already been shown in the game’s official trailer. Overall, the new entry seems to build off the original Monster Hunter Generations while expanding on the game’s content, suggesting players who enjoyed the first’s mechanics will find much to return to here as a definitive version.
The Double Cross announcement comes quite quickly, too. Monster Hunter Generations hit North America on July 15th, 2016, nearly eight months after the game’s original 2015 release in Japan. Granted, no North American release date has been announced yet for the title, so it’s hard to say if Monster Hunter fans will be seeing two games within the course of 12 months.
But in recent years, Capcom has been bridging the gap between Japanese and North American releases for the Monster Hunter series. Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate only saw a four-month gap between the Japanese and North American release, for example, which lines up with the eight-month gap between Monster Hunter X and Generations. If so, then Monster Hunter fans might have a brand new game on their hands by holiday season 2017. It’s hard to say for certain quite yet, but stay tuned for more news in the coming months ahead.
