Capcom's titan-slaying behemoth gets a firm date in the Land of the Rising Sun...

Japan's gaming bible Famitsu has revealed that Monster Hunter 3 will release in the homeland on August 1st. The slightly earlier-than-expected date may mean the highly-anticipated adventure epic will become one of the biggest sellers of the summer.

Monster Hunter 3 will also be released in two special bundles. The first will see the game packed in with an improved Classic Controller Pro, and retail for �8,490. The second package is a collectors edition of the game, which includes a making-of DVD among other trinkets all squeezed inside a snazzy tin. This limited edition will cost �9,440.

The Monster Hunter series has already kicked off to a characteristically popular start in Japan. The PS2 port Monster Hunter G has already racked up close to 200,000 units sold after just two weeks on sale.

With Capcom emphasising a desire for globalising their brands, expect to see Monster Hunter 3 released in the west at some point. Even better, if a recent fiscal report is to be believed, we may see this baby by April 2010.