Monster Hunter

Monster Hunter is hack and slash, strategy, and adventure game released September 21, 2004 in North America. The game is a simulation of hunting in a world filled with deadly monsters. Like actual hunting, succesfully killing or capturing a monster requires the use of strategy, skill, and provided items. Monster Hunter sold poorly in the Americas due to being given no advertising; however, it was a huge hit in its native land, Japan.

After January 1st, 2008, the online servers for Monster Hunter in North America were shut down, and thus online play for the PS2 version of Monster Hunter is no longer available. With the Monster Hunter online server being inactive forever, the gameplay population among MH fans has greatly decreased because offline mode provides fewer choices of weapons & armor, which makes hunting very sucktacular.

Monster Hunter G
An expansion to the PS2 game, Monster Hunter. Includes tons of new content such as sub-species and a Felyne kitchen. Monster Hunter Freedom/Monster Hunter Portable is a port of Monster Hunter G to the PSP.

Trivia

 * Monster Hunter was produced by Tsuyoshi Tanaka, who left Capcom in 2006.
 * Dual Swords didn't exist until Monster Hunter G, but found their way into the American version of Monster Hunter.