Summary
Even though the wait forMonster Hunter Wildscontinues to be an excruciating one (only five more months to go, hang in there everyone), it has wound up almost being a blessing in disguise that the new game didn’t release duringMonster Hunter’s 20th anniversary year. If it had,Capcommight have leaned on that rather than releasing all sorts of celebratory merch to mark the occasion, like theseDigimonV-Pets which may well be the best thing Monster Hunter’s creators have done to celebrate the series' birthday so far.
V-Pets were effectively Digimon’s take on Tamagotchis when first released in the late ’90s, not to mention a way to set the series apart fromPokemonwhen the rip-off accusations came knocking. Like a Tamagotchi, the premise of a V-Pet is to look after and raise the creature that calls it home. However, Digmon’s take on the popular toy included other functions, like battling and evolution, and now a Monster Hunter crossover has put some of Capcom’s most iconic monsters into the devices.
There are two 20th-anniversary Monster Hunter V-Pet models to choose from - Zinogre and Rathalos. Not only does the model you choose dictate which monster will be your virtual pet, but the V-Pet’s shell color matches that of the monster inside. Zinogre’s V-Pet is largely shades of green and yellow to match the monster’s hide, while Rathalos’s device is a reddish brown and white. While Zinogre and Rathalos are the main events, the devices are loaded with 36 different creatures from Monster Hunter, Tigrex and Mizutsune among them.
Monster Hunter x Digimon V-Pets Are Avaialble For Pre-Order Now
Will You Choose Zinogre, Rathalos, Or Both?
Unlike your standard V-Pet, Monster’s Hunter’s crossover devices have LCD color screens. That combined with their scarcity and having to get them shipped means celebrating Monster Hunter’s anniversary V-Pet-style is going to cost more than you might expect. The devices are available at Big Bad Toy Store through the links in the box below and are $99.99 each. Pre-orders for both models are already open, but they’re not expected to ship until February 2025.
There are cheaper ways to celebrate Monster Hunter turning 20.Capcom has been turning its monsters into plushesthroughout 2024 and gradually releasing them on Amazon. There are also far more expensive ways to ring in the series' birthday. Pre-orders for Monster Hunter Wilds opened this week, revealing an Ultimate Collector’s Editionwhich includes a full-sized Monster Hunter bike. Priced at $1,300, it’s exclusive to Japan at the moment which means it’ll cost even more for anyone in the US due to shipping costs.
