MH Stories Amiibo Mystery!

Monster Hunter Stories is the RPG spin-off to the core Monster Hunter series but instead of taking on the role of hunter, players become Riders instead, choosing to use the beasties as mounts instead of raw material for the next gear upgrade.

Why we're talking about Monster Hunter Stories? well, it's because the game has some very confusing messaging about if it's coming west. Capcom refuses to confirm its coming over but the accompanying anime has been dubbed into English and released online.

Now we have yet more... oddity regarding Stories' journey thanks to yesterday's Animal Crossing: New Leaf Amiibo update. Whilst the west's version of the Direct boasted Amiibo support from the Animal Crossing, Zelda and Splatoon series, the Japanese version also touted support from the epic Monster Hunter Stories line of Amiibo




Well turns out that content is also available to us in the west, in English, on PAL versions of the game, and using the same (imported) Amiibo (we've known for some time the Amiibo are region-free). Is this proof of Monster Hunter Stories coming west? Or is Nintendo really going out of their way to protect Amiibo usage?

[UPDATE: Been informed Amazon (UK) has some available for import]

Everyone thank "NintenDaan" for the pic and confirmation.

Abe's Take
Whilst I'm not as excited about Stories as I am about the core series, I would love for it comes to the west. However, I think that Monster Hunter Stories probably has the most conflicting signs of localisation than any game before it.

Platinum Announces Bayonetta Amiibo

Now I know what you're asking "Wait wasn't a Bayonetta Amiibo announced already?" well yes disembodied internet voice they did confirm Bayonetta would be getting an Smash Bro's Amiibo series version.

So whats going on today? Well its nearly the 2nd anniversary of the Japanese launch of Bayonetta 2 and Yusuke Hashimoto, the game's director has a Big Announcement.

"We’re coming up on Bayonetta 2’s second anniversary, and what better way to commemorate the occasion than with a new figure?

And what better figure than an amiibo?

I’m afraid that this little taste is all I can give you right now, since we’re still working hard to get her just right. But I assure you that we’re going to capture everything you know and love about Bayonetta – every detail down to the exact sizes of her glasses and eyes – and bring you an amiibo that’ll meet your every expectation.

Back when we were making Bayonetta 2, there wasn’t any talk of bringing the game to life in three dimensions like this. In fact, this is the first time a character from a game I’ve directed has been made into a figure. I’m shocked by how well Bayonetta’s essence has been shrunk down to fit in the palm of your hand! What an amazing era…

I’m really looking forward to the full unveiling of the Bayonetta amiibo, and I hope you’re as excited as I am.

Between the announcement of her amiibo and her Super Smash Bros. debut, 2016 has been quite a year for our favorite witch. It’s a dream come true to see her fighting alongside such storied and beloved characters as Mario and Fox McCloud in Smash Bros.

I’d love to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all of Bayonetta’s fans for all the love and support you’ve shown her up to now! I hope she stays in your heart for years to come."

Yes I'm sure the size of her 'Glasses' is a priority *wink*. Sorry where was I? Oh yes that's it. So what is exactly going on here? Nintendo has been the one making all the Smash Amiibo even the third party characters have been Nintendo made*. So either Platinum is heavily involved in the creation process of the smash series or they are making their own.

Judging from today's "announcement" and tying it into Bayonetta 2's anniversary  makes me believe this is actually an 2nd Bayonetta figure which raises the question what functionality will the figure have? personally I'm hoping that follow Shovel Knights example and add co-op to the campaign.

*Shovel Knight was the first Amiibo made by an third party and the upcoming Monster Hunter Stories Capcom has created an entire range of Amiibo for the title.

Abe's Take
It's great to see Bayonetta doing well, The witch dose seem to enjoy here time with Nintendo with the sequel beings exclusive, staring in Smash Bros (Via public vote) and now her own (apparently separate to Smash) Amiibo. I mean they could of just made a statue or regular figure but they went with Amiibo. Lets see what the future holds.

Monster Hunter Stories Update

We really love Monster Hunter here at GK-UK and so one title we have a cautious eye on is Monster Hunter Stories. An more traditional RPG spin off to the core franchise, this entry being heavier on story and featuring Riders instead of Hunters.

First up Capcom has released and brand new trailer for the game, which is still highly stylised and still pretty looking.

The company has also announced that Monster Hunter Stories will reward players of Monster Hunter X (that's Generations to us) with an unique costume for Nabiru the strange looking Feline companion and a fancy one handed sword for the rider, More importantly (to me) Monster Hunter Stories is getting it's own Amiibo line.

Which look both meaty and glorious, The above three will launch along side the game in Japan on October 8th. Capcom has also announced these are only the first of the wave and that more will launch later. Capcom says the Amiibo will unlock special monsters, no word yet if they are Amiibo exclusive.

Abe's Take
I really need them to confirm an western launch for this and I really, really need any of those Rathalos on my desk! I also still hate the new cat, to me it seems unnecessarily stylized.

Rumour: More Amiibo!

Today E3 unofficially began with Nintendo's Smash Bros direct, which dropped a lot of details that could of easily been in the main direct. Things like a new wave of Mii costumes and Street Fighter's Ryu.

There dose seem to be a theme to this year's E3, Premature announcements!. Over the last week Koei accidentally let loose a trailer for Hyrule Warriors 3DS, yesterday Bethesda accidentally shed light on Dishonoured 2's existence. Now we can add Nintendo of Spain to that list as they have sent out an email with this image

Four of these we already knew about. The Super Mario, Yarn Yoshi, Splatoon serieses, and the Animal Crossing Amiibo cards for the upcoming "Happy Home Designer" for 3DS. However this seems to confirm and Animal Crossing figure series and an pixel Mario.

Now there has been a lot of talk on a Wii U Animal Crossing entry that would also work with Happy Home Designer. The presence of figure Amiibo dose seem to suggest that is the case. It is possible that the cards are intended to fill the gap left by sold out figures (as Miyamoto originally mentioned) however Isabella has a different colouring and pose between figure and card, something they wouldn't do if they two ranges are "the same". I would hope though that the cards and figures work on each others games that's the case.

The Mario one is the most intriguing and instantly pinged in my brain as "limited edition". 8bit Mario is most likely tied to Mario Maker, and Mario's 30th anniversary. Each of the different Amiibo series have different bases but retain the same basic shape but this Mario one bucks that trend hence "limited edition ping".

Abe's Take
Despite all the stock issues Amiibo has been a huge hit for Nintendo and certainly is here to stay. I really like the look of the new Amiibo ranges. The Smash ones are far cooler but they all seem kinda small, where are the new ranges feel/look a bit more meaty. However I just don't see what Amiibo will add to a core Animal Crossing game considering they are mainstay characters no random villagers or Mario Maker (there was rumours that Amiibo would unlock character sprites).