CAPTIVATE 09: Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, Fate/unlimited codes, Ace Attorney Investigations

Capcom introduced some major handheld titles at their CAPTIVATE 09 event last week, slated to hit Western markets soon.  All three have already been out in Japan for some time and saw unprecedented success -- especially Monster Hunter Freedom Unite.  Also on PSP we have Fate/unlimited code, and for DS, Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth.

So who hasn't heard about Monster Hunter Freedom Unite by now?  Famitsu recently named it their "Game of the Year," and it sold over 1 million copies within its first week on the market.  Even Capcom is claiming that Japanese daytime productivity went down noticeably during that week.  Looks like they intend to bring down the rest of the world in much the same fashion, with a June release date announced for North America not long ago. 

Until that dark day dawns, we'll just have to settle for screenshots and very peculiar trailers.

Are you ready for the monster invansion?  Channel 6 doesn't think so.  It's more of an introduction to the franchise than an trailer Freedom Unite, showing us just how crazy Japan is for anything Monster Hunter.  That productivity drop will actually make more sense once you've seen this.

Update: Capcom sent out a notice on April 30 to remove the original trailer and replace it with a more recent one from their press site due to ESRB signage.

Another Japanese favorite due for overseas release is Fate/unlimited code for PSP.  It's the latest installment in the Fate franchise of fighting titles, with a distinctly anime-style of art.  As the trailer below will tell you, the backstory behind Fate/uc revolves around a Holy Grail appearing, meaning a bunch of random individuals from different walks of life must congregate and fight over the relic.

Not sure about you, but something about the cover really cracks me up.

Finally, we see Miles Edgeworth make his return in Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth.  Fans of the original Phoenix Wright games will no doubt want this formerly Japan-exclusive, now on its way to the West because Capcom just loves all the extra dough we bring in.  Detective Gumshoe provides another familiar face, while newbies flank these old favorites as they solve cases and engage in quirky (sometimes inane) banter.