Nintendo are not stupid – they know just how popular Monster Hunter is and crucial to their hardware sales over in Asia. They should probably even thank Sony for making the franchise even bigger when it came to be PSP, but now it looks like Sony has lost another title after Bayonetta 2, as Monster Hunter seems to have become a Nintendo-only franchise.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate is scheduled as a launch release along with the console in Japan and Nintendo has released a new gameplay video showing how the title is looking and some of the cross platforms features that will be available on the 3DS. Aside from the main quest that was offered in Monster Hunter Tri, the Wii U version is also going to include a four player online mode as well.

Combine that with the ability to customize all of your equipment using the Wii U GamePad, it’s fair to say that Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate is going to be some game when it comes out. We are still frustrated with Capcom over their decision to seemingly ignore the PS Vita fanbase, but at the same time it is yet another victory for Nintendo and another title that will help gamers make the decision on whether to pick up the console or not.

Is Monster Hunter one of your favorite franchises? Check out the gameplay below and let us know if you would like to see some of the same on other platforms. Is it fair for Nintendo to have all of the glory?

At the moment, we are yet to hear any official announcement from both Capcom or Sony regarding the much loved franchise appearing on the Vita, but some recent comments from the French PlayStation CEO appear to have slipped out a little premature than expected.

Philippe Cardon has spoke in a recent interview with French website Le Point, confirming that Monster Hunter will be available in a matter of months on the PS Vita. We were expecting the game to arrive much later in the year, but here are the surprising comments from Cardon suggesting otherwise, courtesy of VG247:

“The games available at launch in Japan do not correspond to the typology of the Japanese public. It lacks a particular game, Monster Hunter, scheduled for the coming months. Had it been there from the start in Japan, the story would have been different.”

Prior to this statement from the French PlayStation CEO, the only other ‘concete’ information we had was that Monster Hunter 3 was apparently on the way for the Vita after appearing in a Japanese magazine which detailed the Vita’s upcoming schedule. We have also asked you for your thoughts on Monster Hunter 4 appearing on the Vita too, but we think most of you would just be happy to see Monster Hunter Portable 3 first of all.

Has Capcom now been backed into a corner by Sony and will we expect an official announcement on the game soon? There’s little doubt that this will become a huge seller on Sony’s new handheld, both in the Japanese market where the franchise is immensely popular and in the west too with its hardcore cult following.

How badly do you want to see Monster Hunter on the PS Vita? Is it a sole reason why you haven’t pre-ordered a Vita yet? Personally speaking, we have a feeling that Rayman Origins is going to be a great addition to the Vita lineup and it could be a perfect title to keep gamers busy until Monster Hunter arrives.

Despite fears last year that Monster Hunter wouldn’t be coming to the PS Vita, you’ll be pleased to hear that we are now hearing whispers that Capcom may be preparing a Monster Hunter game for the PS Vita for release sometime in the second half of 2012. The information has been cited from Japanese magazine Nikkei Trendy, and you can see a screenshot of the magazine including an image of Monster Hunter over at TheSixthAxis here.

As many fans will well be aware, the decision to bring Monster Hunter 3G to the Nintendo 3DS and not confirm a title for the December Japanese launch of the PS Vita remains a very strange move by Sony. It is no secret that Monster Hunter is huge in Japan and the availability of Monster Hunter for the PS Vita would undoubtedly be a win win situation for both Sony and Capcom. We would even go as far to say that if Capcom brought Monster Hunter 4 to the PS Vita, it would easily be the most popular game on the system. Meanwhile for Sony, they could sit back and just watch hardware units increase by the thousands as many fans flock to stores to get their new Monster Hunter fix.

Whether or not Monster Hunter 4 or a version of an older Monster Hunter game appears on the Vita is irrelevant – fans would just like to see a MH game on the system period. Considering the benefits for both companies as mentioned above, we would predict that this will happen sooner rather than later. If you are a big Monster Hunter fan, let us know your thoughts on the idea of MH appearing on the PS Vita.

The question we want to know, is would Monster Hunter alone be responsible for your PS Vita purchase should it become available?