The PlayStation Vita might actually have a chance to come back from the dead.
Rumors are circulating that Capcom is developing a PS Vita version of the Nintendo 3DS exclusive "Monster Hunter 4" for a simultaneous release this summer. The game was initially scheduled to ship in March for Nintendo's console only, but last month it was delayed for "further quality enhancements."
Apparently one of those enhancements is a whole new version for a competing handheld!
The rumor comes courtesy of the Japanese video game magazine Game Lab, who reported this (translation by Charlotte Buckingham):
"Whilst originally it was said that the delay of MH4 was due to wanting to make a better quality game and graphics, the real reason appears to be that it may be released on the PS Vita to increase sales."
Of course, this has not been officially confirmed in any way. At this point it's essentially just something to think about, but a Vita version of "Monster Hunter 4" would be a huge boost to the ailing Sony handheld. "Monster Hunter" is an incredibly popular, system-selling series in Japan and could almost immediately improve the system's long-term prospects.
The "Monster Hunter" series has sold over 21 million games since it first came out in 2004. In fact, a major reason the original PlayStation Portable was successful in Japan was due to the presence of the series on its platform.
While a PS Vita version of "Monster Hunter 4" wouldn't be too surprising considering Capcom's general practice of releasing multiplatform titles, a simultaneous release with the 3DS game seems unlikely. Scoring the next game in the franchise was a big coup for Nintendo, who basically released an analog stick add-on for the 3DS to support the series, and it's doubtful that they would be happy with the decision. "Monster Hunter 4" as a timed exclusive could make sense, though, with the PS Vita version released a month or two after Nintendo's.
The "Monster Hunter" series is a fantasy action-adventure title that puts players into the role of a hunter in search of monsters to capture or defeat. Multiplayer online play is a big draw, allowing players to cooperate in order to complete quests, win items, and then customize their characters.
