Like its predecessor, Monster Hunter Freedom 2, Portable 3rd is an original title that adapts the core content of Monster Hunter Tri into a new single player campaign, adding supplemental original content.

[5] As with previous installments, the player takes the role of the titular monster hunter, sent from the hunters guild to Yukumo village (Japanese : ユクモ村) to undertake quests which range from slaying creatures to harvesting/gathering different items.

The player starts with weapons and armor that is given to new hunters, but is able to craft better equipment by using the materials obtained from mining, gathering and carving slain monsters.

[6] The game was number one in the Japanese sales chart of 5 December 2010, replacing Gran Turismo 5.

[7] Within two weeks of release by December 20, Monster Hunter Portable 3rd sold 2.58 million units in Japan.