Capcom saw major success in 2018 with the worldwide release of Monster Hunter World on PS4 and Xbox One, bringing the series back to home console for the first time in nearly a decade. However, as the title begins to sunset with the final major update for Monster Hunter: World coming on October 1st, the developer behind the game is preparing to launch a new installment in the series.
Announced with a new trailer, Capcom has announced the new Monster Hunter: World title, which both long time fans of the series and new players hoping on to the recent game may not appreciate as much as the developer might hope. Considering the series' previous successes on mobile devices, such as the PSP and Nintendo DS, some fans expected to see another portable title release next, with another massive home console not likely for some time.
While persisting rumors of a new Monster Hunter Switch release continue to circle around through the community, this latest trailer is not for the type of title that fans can really take into their homes or on the go. Instead, this comes from a Capcom subsidiary called Enterris, a Japanese company that specializes in making Pachinko slot machines, with themes based on the parent developer. As a result, this newest release is less of a brand new Monster Hunter: World port or sequel, and more of an arcade slot machine with the popular title acting as a theme for the flashy animations in the background.
From what is shown in the trailer, it would seem that a few of the characters from Monster Hunter: World will appear in the Pachinko machine, or at least some look-alikes that resemble notable faces from the game. While it might not be exactly the game Monster Hunter: World fans will enjoy as a similar title, Pachinko players likely enjoy for having familiar monsters, Palicos, and everyone's favorite Handler flashing across the screen. This doesn't necessarily mean that the machine won't be enjoyable to anyone, as the medium has become very popular in Japan where it is sure to see a lot of fanfare, but non-local fans are unfortunately left out for now.
A new Pachinko machine, while not really being a new way to appreciate Monster Hunter: World, is still likely to be fairly popular where it releases. As an added bonus, if this is able to fund Capcom well enough for a new Switch title in the series, or even a Next-Gen follow up, then this might be baby steps towards a whole new experience for fans in the future.
Monster Hunter World is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.