Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate: New Screens Feature Cats on Tanks

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate is ready to land in just over a week… if you live in Japan, that is. Japanese gaming site 4Gamer is cranking up the hype machine with 179 new images, featuring various in-game screens as well as character and environment renders. You can catch a glimpse at many of the new weapons and armor you'll be able to equip, plus some of the new monsters that'll stand in your way.

My favorite set of photos are of the various tools the Felynes use to aid you in battle. I especially like the one where they are riding around on an adorable little tank. It's almost as adorable as the Felyne's pink tuba with sharp teeth!

Monster Hunter is quite the fun, laid-back series that doesn't take itself seriously. You can have cats fighting alongside you in battle, sometimes wearing Sonic the Hedgehog costumes. You can have a weapon that's topped by a pig wearing a crown and sitting in a kingly throne. Anything goes.

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate for 3DS will eventually come to North America in 2015. Maybe the New 3DS will be out by that time so that players can have the ideal experience. And don't forget to check the 4Gamer page for all the screens we didn't share here.