It's been a long time coming, but internet tunneling for PSP seems to finally be in full-swing. With Xlink Kai, and a compatible Wi-Fi adapter, you'll be able to play Ad-Hoc games, like Monster Hunter, online. Watch Impress was able to squeeze in 2500 people into a Monster Hunter Portable 2nd game room. All that's needed is: an Xlink Kai account (which is currently free) and a compatible Wi-Fi adapter, such as the PCI Gamering XII, which includes the appropriate drivers.

When booting up a game in Ad-Hoc mode, it will make other Xlink Kai users appear as if they're in the same room as you. With Xlink, so many of the PSP multiplayer games that fans have been collecting won't feel so lonely anymore.

[Thanks, Steve! Via gearfuse]

No surprise here. After selling 700,000 copies in its first week in Japan, Monster Hunter's sequel is set to dominate the rest of the world. Or, at least Europe. According to a new press release from Capcom Europe, "Capcom plans to release this game as Monster Hunter Freedom 2 across PAL territories in September 2007."

While no US release has been announced yet, we're expecting an official statement soon. Certainly, Capcom USA wouldn't want to miss this excuse to literally print money?

[Update 1: The US press release states that the game is coming to the States in September as well.]

We knew Monster Hunter Portable 2nd was a big seller, but now the official numbers are out. The weekly sales report from Mainichi Interactive states that Capcom has blown away sales expectations by selling 700,000 units in its first week. This easily puts Monster Hunter Portable 2nd one of the best selling PSP games yet in Japan. PSP hardware also sold quite well in the same time, coming in at number 3 in the hardware sales charts. Let's hope this news means more Capcom content on Sony's portable.

[Via IGN ]

Yesterday in Japan, Monster Hunter fans were able to go to their local game stores and download new quests from the demo kiosk's "PlayStation Spot". In addition to quests and more, PSP owners who don't own Monster Hunter Portable 2nd can download a demo of the game.

With reports of Monster Hunter 2 coming outside of Japan, let's hope this additional content is either included in the version we get, or that we can similarly download the content. I personally dig the idea of downloadable content on the PSP and I hope more games start to feature it. Does downloadable content appeal to you as well?

[Via Game Watch]

We knew it was going to be big ... but now you can see the frantic crowds trying to grab a copy of the PSP action game, Monster Hunter Portable 2nd. The crowds were so big, you'd think that another console was launching. See more of the chaos and mayhem over at Famitsu.

Of course, will the game meet such incredible fanfare here in the States? Unlikely. But, Japan is where the PSP is struggling the greatest, in comparison to the DS. Certainly, this will give a much-needed boost to our platform over in the land of the rising sun. With US sales toe-to-toe with Nintendo's portable, and this highly successful launch, can anyone really say the PSP is dead?

Interested importers can check out Play Asia to join in the madness.

[Via Joystiq]

The answer is yes, if Capcom official board posts are to be believed. No longer will Monster Hunter fans have to be jealous of their friends in Japan. The Capcom senior community member OrleanKnight goes on to say that the sequel will unsurprisingly be called Monster Hunter Freedom 2 and will be out sometime later this year. While this isn't official confirmation, Capcom staff did not deny the claims on the board. I know our readers love this game (judging from comments), so let's hope this all is true.

[Thanks Joe!]

Monster Hunter never found much of an audience in the US, but in Japan it's a big deal. How big of a deal? Well, when's the last time you saw this many versions of a game to buy:

1: Stand-Alone Game
2: Accessories Set (the game and themed accessories of UMD holders, headphones, and collectible card)
3: Hunter Pack (the game and themed accessories of a champagne PSP, 2 replacement faceplates, one carry case, strap and soft Monster Hunter toys)

[Via DCEmu]

[Update 1: Corrected links and formatting.]

See also:
Sony goes bling with new Champagne Gold

You've seen the incredible video of Capcom's currently Japan-only sequel to Monster Hunter Portable. The graphics look to amaze, but the gameplay looks even more fun. I mean, who doesn't want to kill a DRAGON?! Capcom hasn't officially announced this title for international release, but considering the huge demand it's getting in Japan will undoubtedly make a worldwide release quite a lucrative deal.

Check Game Watch for some impressive screenshots of dragon slaying fun in action. Japanese gamers (and importers) can get their hands on the game on February 22nd.

[Thanks, daniel-kun!]

As you may know, Japan loves Monster Hunter. And, Capcom is quickly trying to capitalize on its popularity. As if having over 400,000 pre-orders wasn't enough, Game Watch reports that Capcom will offer this chic Monster Hunter scarf for Japanese customers that pre-order the game at Capcom's electronic store.

Why a scarf? Why not? You know, I try to look as fashionable as I can while slaying demons.

See also:
PSP Fanart Fridays: Monster Hunter

[Update 1: Language Police caught me red-handed. Thanks for the correction!]

Do you want to share your PSP-related fan art? Send an e-mail to andrew @ www.pspfanboy.com with the subject line "Fanart Fridays." A new piece of fanart will be shared every Friday.

I Am 8-bit is a wonderful art exhibit, but it doesn't update every week. We do though, every Friday we showcase a different artist (with their permission) that has PSP related fan art. And this week is no exception.

This week's art comes from Roberto Luiz. He's a huge fan of Monster Hunter (along with all of Japan) and really captured the brutal intensity of battle. He's not exaggerating with the image either, those monsters really do dwarf you in size. Digital artist Roberto is so much of a fan of the game, that this isn't his only Monster Hunter fan art image. And yes, he already has one for Monster Hunter 2. If you'd like to see more art from Roberto, check out his deviant art account. Thanks for sending us fan art Roberto.

Let Roberto know what you think of his great art work and e-mail us your PSP related fan art. And come back next Friday for another dose of bad-ass art.

They are monsters you can put in your pocket, but not Pocket Monsters. The Magic Box is reporting that there are over 400,000 just in pre-orders for the 2nd incarnation of Monster Hunter. That makes it easily the larges pre-order quantity for a PSP game ever in Japan.

Monster Hunter Portable 2nd comes out February 22nd.... in Japan. No word yet if it will be heading elsewhere.

We've talked about Valhalla Knights before, but as the US release draws ever closer we find ourselves sucking in any available info like a sponge that wears pants but isn't square. IGN just put up a preview of the version and they describe how the gameplay works and what makes the game unique.

The biggest emphasis in the game seems to be about choice and players will not just choose their class, but at any given time will be able to choose what mission they go on from the guild. Once they do get to battle, the emphasis is on real-time combat with close or ranged attacks. This non-linear picking up quests in town element and the method of fighting make it sound like it could please Monster Hunter fans.

Check out IGN to read more about the game and see screens.

[Update 1: Corrected some formatting errors.]

While us Americans have been stuck with black PSPs since its launch nearly two years ago, Japan has been collecting more and more unique colors. The newly revealed "Champagne Gold" PSP will hit Japan on February 22nd for the standard PSP price of 20,790 yen (~$175US).

This is, coincidentally, when Monster Hunter Portable 2nd comes out, the most wanted PSP game in Japan. As with Tales of the World and Metal Gear Solid, Sony will bundle the new system color with the highly anticipated game into a special package, which will undoubtedly include some other collectibles. The premium package will go for 26,000 yen (~$218).

[Via Playstation]

[Update 1: More details on the Monster Hunter bundle after the cut. Additional details via IGN.]

Elaborate costumes? Check! Magic seals? Check! Monster battling and androgynous men? Check! Well, according to my checklist Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner is indeed a Japanese RPG. While it sounds similar in title, this game has nothing to do with Capcom's Monster Hunter series. According to RPGamer the game features monster breeding, wi-fi battles and trading, over five hours of voice acting and a soundtrack featuring ten loved RPG composers. The game comes from Cozy Okada of Shin Megami Tensei fame.

For the curious, Gamespot has new screens of this Atlus RPG. If after seeing those screens you're anxious to play it as soon as possible, have no fear. You can get grabbed by the jewlies soon since Monster Kingdom: Jewel Summoner hits store shelves this February.

Monster Hunter Freedom is based on the PlayStation 2 game, Monster Hunter. The two share a great deal of similarities, like fantasy environments and dungeon hacking. But the PSP version of this Capcom adventure game is missing one key feature of the PlayStation 2 version: online play. Capcom has a survey available on their site, and it asks players the incredibly obvious: "What are your feelings regarding the inclusion or exclusion of true online multiplayer support for the next Monster Hunter Freedom?"

Hmm... do I want Infrastructure in my games? Hmm... I wonder... What says you?

[Via 1UP Boards]