MHX.jpg

Capcom's latest financial results make for some healthy reading, as it's reported profits for the first nine months of this financial year (1st April to 31st December 2015) that are up on the previous year. Games with Monster Hunter in the title have played a big part in that.

Monster Hunter X (Cross), only released in Japan so far, notched up staggering sales of around 3.2 million units in Japan between its 28th November launch and the end of the year. Overseas 'repeat' sales are also cited as firm, in which Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate can be counted. Between 1st April 2015 and the end of the year the 3DS title shipped 600,000 units worldwide; it was released in the West alongside the New 3DS on 14th February, so these figures reflect sales that don't include the typical launch spike. These numbers include downloads, too.

Capcom had a relatively quiet nine months in terms of dedicated gaming console releases - there have been mobile, PC and amusements releases of course - so has relied heavily on Monster Hunter. In fact, sales of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate were higher than the next highest entry, the episodic Resident Evil Revelations 2, which came out on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. That Resi title launched in late February so this report covers sales after the initial launch rush, but even so it only managed around 500,000 units. It's impressive that Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, with a similar launch date (in the West) and 3DS exclusivity, beat that release in sales.

In any case, the continuing success of Monster Hunter bodes well for the franchise, while its enduring success on the 3DS in particular - with the 'main' series, at least - will hopefully secure an ongoing relationship between the series and Nintendo.

[source capcom.co.jp]