Monster Hunter Tri, which I hear is kind of a big deal in Japan, has been dated for North American release: April 20, 2010.

Available bundled with a black Classic Controller Pro, previously only available in Japan, for $59.99 or as a standalone game for $49.99.

Black or white Classic Controller Pros will be available separately for $19.99, which puts the bundle in a $10 savings.

Nintendo also revealed that the game will be free-to-play online, dropping the monthly fee levied in Japan. The title will also support text chat and Wii Speak owners will enjoy full voice chat support.

The grind-heavy games pit the player against increasingly dangerous (and large) monsters as they explore a vast wilderness. Defeated creatures can be harvested for raw materials, which are used to craft weapons, armor, and items. The game rewards co-operative play and prides itself on delivering a different encounter for each creature, all of them requiring a unique strategy to fell.