Not too long ago we told you about an option for online multiplayer in Monster Hunter 3 G on 3DS in Japan, which will require a separately sold Wii or Wii U LAN adapter, a Wii U and an app — due to the core software only supporting local multiplayer. No doubt useful for those that only own the 3DS version and have a Wii U handy, the circumstances for it to be worthwhile and the convoluted process just make sense in Japan — where the game has been in stores for over a year — but perhaps has less relevance in the West.

Nevertheless, Nintendo has advised us that this feature will be coming to Europe — by extension we expect it to arrive in North America too — in time for the game's launch. The required app will be snappily titled MONSTER HUNTER 3 ULTIMATE Packet Relay Tools for Nintendo 3DS and will be available for free on the Wii U eShop. Details are below.

We can confirm that on March 22nd, the launch day of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, an application named MONSTER HUNTER 3 ULTIMATE Packet Relay Tools for Nintendo 3DS will be made available as a free download on the Nintendo eShop on Wii U. This application allows players of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on Nintendo 3DS to play the game online by using a Wii U console connected to the Internet via the Wii LAN Adapter or Wii U LAN Adapter (to be sold separately). Using this set-up, one Nintendo 3DS system can connect to the Wii U console, and play Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate online with other players. Please note that while the Wii U console is providing this function for the Nintendo 3DS system, it is not possible to simultaneously use the Wii U console for playing Wii U software or to connect locally to another Nintendo 3DS system. A copy of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for Wii U is not required.

In addition, the Japanese announcement also confirmed that players online with the 3DS version cannot create an online lobby for four player hunts, but can only join a lobby set up by someone playing the Wii U version elsewhere.

With both versions arriving in the West together, we suspect that not many will use this functionality, but it is an option for those that want the handheld edition and would like the occasional online game using their Wii U. Are any of you prospective hunters interested in giving this a try?