Despite horrible sales figures in Japan, Microsoft is still intent on making a mark with the Xbox 360 in the country. Enter their latest attempt to get stir up interest: a console bundle pack that includes a free code to download the Japan only Monster Hunter Frontier Online.

While you don’t get the whole game with the code, you do get access to content up until you hit Hunter Rank 2. It doesn’t seem like a whole lot, but it does give players access to the introductory missions, allowing them to try the game out before deciding to make a full purchase. The bundle also includes free tokens for a sword and shield, as well as a full armor set.

This is actually Microsoft’s second Monster Hunter related promotion for the 360. The first was a deal designed around the release of Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition, in which those who purchase the retail version get access to Ryu and Chun-Li costume sets for Frontier Online. This giveaway is actually still going on, and lasts until September 26, 2012, so fans can potentially get a double deal.

Monster Hunter is huge in Japan, dwarfing almost every other Capcom franchise in sales figures. (It’d be even more popular if Capcom would get their act together and release Portable 3^rd in the west...) Microsoft’s strategy in packaging a free game code for the online game is probably one of the best strategies they’ve come up with. Here’s hoping it works out for them.

[via Siliconera]