The game was originally planned to be a PlayStation 3 title, but was cancelled due to high development costs for that console.

On August 3, 2009, Capcom issued a press release confirming the game would be localized for North American and European markets.

[7] In America and Europe, separate servers are used and Wii Speak is supported, making the first game in the franchise to include native VoIP capability.

Each weapon type has a unique style of play when used in the field; sword users need to build up consecutive attacks to increase a combo meter to inflict larger damage on their foes but must keep an eye on their blade's sharpness, while bowmen can perform weak but fast ranged attacks including applying special coatings to their arrows to inflict debuffs on enemies.

To progress in the game, the player is typically required to collect parts of the larger monsters that they are assigned to kill, and using those to forge or upgrade weapons and armor.

As the player hunts, they will take damage from monsters; if their health drops to zero, they are rescued to a base camp where they can set off again, but after falling for a third time, they are returned to the village without any gains made while they were adventuring.

The stamina meter drops after performing most intensive actions like running, dodging, or attacking, but restores when the player otherwise is walking around.

When the player's stamina is depleted, the character will be forced to stop for a brief period to catch their breath before they can move, leaving them vulnerable to attack.

The game uses the same character data as the single-player offering, letting players continue to build up better equipment from quest rewards within either mode.

[16] It was also released on Wii U which features revised HD graphics, full online, local multiplayer, and the ability to import the game progress to the player's Nintendo 3DS.

The game also reintroduces G-Rank, a level above high rank that features a new set of quests, harder monsters and improved weapons and armor.

411Mania gave the Wii version a score of 8.8 out of 10 and called it "a meaty experience, with the same addictive reward system that forms the core of many MMORPGs.

Unfortunately, while fans of the series will probably love Monster Hunter Tri, Capcom has a lot of kinks to iron out if they want to appeal to the Western masses.

Club gave it a B+ and stated that "The underlying complexities of crafting nifty new gear from their bones is the reason to put roots in Monster Hunter Tri's wooly world.

"[51] The Escapist gave it a score of four stars out of five and stated, "For some reason, there is something uniquely satisfying about felling a great beast and wearing his skin in triumph.

Beyond the addition of new monsters and one new location to hunt in the central game mechanics remain largely unchanged from Tri or indeed the rest of the series.

"[53] The Daily Telegraph gave the Wii U version a score of four stars out of five and stated, "The Monster Hunter series continues to be brilliant but a little impenetrable, despite efforts to remedy that very issue.

"[44] Digital Spy gave the same version a score of four stars out of five and said, "With some truly breathtaking battles, great online play and the promise of free challenges to come, Monster Hunter 3: Ultimate is just what Nintendo's fledgling console needs.

[56] As of December 12, 2009, Monster Hunter Tri is the best-selling third-party video game for the Wii in Japan, at 960,000 copies sold.