Monster Rancher 4 is the latest installment in Tecmo's popular monster-breeding series, which began on the original PlayStation. The series has always stood out from other monster-breeding sims because your monsters can be generated from any CD or DVD. The latest installment in the series features a ton of new monsters as well as some significant changes to the formula established by the previous entries in the series. Over the next few weeks we'll be offering a look at some of the monsters you'll find in Monster Rancher 4, and we'll give a bit of insight into their backgrounds.

　　Day 1: Golem and Zuum

　　Day 2: Tiger and Hare

　　Day 3: Mew and Beaklon

　　Day 4: Dragon and Ducken

　　Day 5: Baku and Pixie

　　Day 6: Durahan and Naga

　　Day 7: Joker and ColorPandora

　　Day 8: Plant and Henger

　　Day 9: Zan and Lesione

　　Day 10: Suzurin and Rhinoroller

　　Day 11: Pancho and Mogi

　　Day 12: Raiden and Gitan

　　Day 13: Ogyo and Antlan

　　Day 14: Garu and Madillo

　　Day 15: Ripper and Phoenix

　　Day 15: Suezo and Mocchi

　　Day 15: Jell and Diaboros

　　

Golem

Golems are one of the tougher breeds of monsters in the game.

　　Monster Group: Artificial

　　Primary Skill: Slap

　　Secondary Skill: Megaton Kick

　　Likes: Energy Bar

　　Info:

　　Because of its rock skin, many are afraid of this monster, but it's really pretty gentle and doesn't even like violence. But don't get it mad, or rock fists will fly.

　　

Zuum

Zuums are fast and easy to build up, making them an ideal monster for newcomers.

　　Monster Group: Beast

　　Primary Skill: Tail Attack

　　Secondary Skill: Tackle

　　Likes: Beef

　　Info:

　　Strong, docile, and without bad habits, this monster is a breeder's dream. Hasn't everyone wanted to take a zuum over the prairies at least once in their lives?

　　

Tiger

The tiger may seem friendly, but he's a ferocious monster when he has to be.

　　Monster Group: Beast

　　Primary Skill: Tiger Spike

　　Secondary Skill: Tiger Charge

　　Likes: Beef

　　Info:

　　A pure-white, snowy field looks great as a backdrop for the tiger, with his blue mane. As affable as the tiger is, it's hard to believe everybody used to be so afraid of it.

　　

Hare

Hares are fast and powerful despite their small size.

　　Monster Group: Beast

　　Primary Skill: Mini Punch

　　Secondary Skill: Uncho

　　Likes: Carrot

　　Info:

　　The hare is popular with the ladies, but despite its cute face, it can deliver a powerful punch. The monster association cautions against overfeeding it, though.

　　

Mew

Mews are cute and easy to dismiss, until you lose to them.

　　Monster Group: Artificial

　　Primary Skill: Kiddie Punch

　　Secondary Skill: Hawaiian

　　Likes: Squid

　　Info:

　　A much-loved stuffed cat wanted to show its gratitude so much that it just came alive one day. Once it starts singing, it forgets what it was going to do.

　　

Beaklon

Beaklons are fast and powerful despite their small size.

　　Monster Group: Beast

　　Primary Skill: Beabang

　　Secondary Skill: Horn Attack

　　Likes: Watermelon

　　Info:

　　Popular with young breeders, these giant insect monsters boast great power and stamina, though they're not very bright. Secret beaklon tournaments have been rumored.

　　

Dragon

Dragons pack a serious punch in battle, although they can be a challenge to raise properly.

　　Monster Group: Spirit

　　Primary Skill: Dragon Tail

　　Secondary Skill: Fire

　　Likes: Beef

　　Info:

　　All breeders want the chance to raise the mighty dragon at least once in their careers. Its razor-sharp claws can rend steel, and it even has wings to fly!

　　

Ducken

Duckens may look weird, but don't underestimate them in a battle.

　　Monster Group: Beast

　　Primary Skill: Backflip

　　Secondary Skill: Backfist

　　Likes: Salmon

　　Info:

　　This moody monster used to be someone's toy long ago. It doesn't have a serious thought in its head, and it does whatever it wants, but it ended up learning a lot somehow.

　　

Baku

Bakus are cute fuzzballs that can be a handful to raise.

　　Monster Group: Beast

　　Primary Skill: Licking

　　Secondary Skill: Sneeze

　　Likes: Potato

　　Info:

　　Wrapped in thick fur and layers of fat, this monster is lovable and greedy. It always looks sleepy, but it can really move. Its motto is "eat a lot, sleep a lot."

　　

Pixie

Pixies are some of the fastest monsters in the game.

　　Monster Group: Sprite

　　Primary Skill: Ray Cast

　　Secondary Skill: Starlight

　　Likes: Honey Toast

　　Info:

　　The pixie is popular despite its selfish and mischievous ways. It's really only looking for someone to discipline it properly, so go ahead and scold it!

　　

Durahan

Knights are some of the best powerhouses in the game thanks to their loyalty.

　　Monster Group: Artificial

　　Primary Skill: Kick

　　Secondary Skill: Snowslide

　　Likes: Vitamin

　　Info:

　　This monster houses the soul of a proud, ancient knight. It's loyal to its master and fights on the side of justice, rescuing the weak and crushing the strong.

　　

Naga

The naga's poison shower can be extremely useful in a fight.

　　Monster Group: Fanciful

　　Primary Skill: Heavy Punch

　　Secondary Skill: Poison Shower

　　Likes: Beef

　　Info:

　　The feisty blood that runs through its veins is always looking for a battle, and the naga will do absolutely anything to win. It looks like a battle cyborg.

　　

Joker

Jokers are a little scary but extremely powerful.

　　Monster Group: Spirit

　　Primary Skill: Upper

　　Secondary Skill: Slash

　　Likes: Vitamin

　　Info:

　　Some breeders think this creature is too brutal to be categorized as an ordinary monster. It looks like the god of death, and its scythe seeks out blood.

　　

ColorPandora

ColorPandoras rank pretty high on the weird scale.

　　Monster Group: Fanciful

　　Primary Skill: Beanball

　　Secondary Skill: Swing

　　Likes: Pork

　　Info:

　　Nobody knows who named the ColorPandora or even much about its habits. Some people think it's just a phantom and only exists in people's minds.

　　

Plant

Plants can be very deadly when used properly.

　　Monster Group: Sprite

　　Primary Skill: Pecking

　　Secondary Skill: Nose Dance

　　Likes: Vitamin

　　Info:

　　The plant loves basking in the sun. When the weather is good, you can even hear it singing in its cute little voice. On rainy days, it loses a little of its pep.

　　

Henger

Hengers are veritable terminators as they get older.

　　Monster Group: Artificial

　　Primary Skill: Drill Punch

　　Secondary Skill: Megablade

　　Likes: Canned Fuel

　　Info:

　　The henger is a mysterious monster jam-packed with lost technology from an ancient civilization. Current science has no idea how it moves or what it's made out of.

　　

Zan

There's nothing like having your own personal battle machine created by ancient science.

　　Monster Group: Artificial

　　Primary Skill: Single Shot

　　Secondary Skill: Sonic Knife

　　Likes: Vitamin

　　Info:

　　The zan is a merciless battle machine created by ancient science. They say it's even more intelligent than humans are. Don't let your guard down! It's dangerous.

　　

Lesione

Could this be the Loch Ness monster's cousin?

　　Monster Group: Sprite

　　Primary Skill: Fin Slap

　　Secondary Skill: Lesihorn

　　Likes: Togle Salmon

　　Info:

　　This monster is popular with everybody, from little kids to mothers. Loving at times, it has a keen battle sense. It puts it opponents to shame in acrobatic battles.

　　

Suzurin

You wouldn't think that anything this cute and bell-shaped could kick ass, but there you go.

　　Monster Group: Sprite

　　Primary Skill: Pokorin

　　Secondary Skill: Aim Hit

　　Likes: Honey Drops

　　Info:

　　The gentle, spring-breeze sound of its bell is an expression of its pure heart. Its charm makes up for how needy and easily frightened it is!

　　

Rhinoroller

Hell hath no fury like a rhino on a roller.

　　Monster Group: Fanciful

　　Primary Skill: Charge

　　Secondary Skill: Bang Drum

　　Likes: Banana

　　Info:

　　How the rhinoroller's body works is a mystery. Scientists have discussed it but have never come up with an explanation. All they know is that it loves napping and driving.

　　

Pancho

Respect the pumpkin or know defeat!

　　Monster Group: Sprite

　　Primary Skill: Attack

　　Secondary Skill: Magic Hand

　　Likes: Chocoloate

　　Info:

　　Pancho is a monster that once possessed a gigantic pumpkin, settling inside it and borrowing its strength to live. Now the monster feels pretty indebted to that pumpkin and lives inside of it.

　　

Mogi

Mogis are hams, but they can back it up with fighting skills.

　　Monster Group: Beast

　　Primary Skill: Head Bang

　　Secondary Skill: Scratch

　　Likes: Energy Bar

　　Info:

　　A cool and stylish monster, it warms up with a hot dance and then gets cheers and applause when it dives underground. The battle arena is the mogi's stage!

　　

Raiden

Anything named raiden can usually kick butt in a video game.

　　Monster Group: Beast

　　Primary Skill: Heel Drop

　　Secondary Skill: Plow Kick

　　Likes: Salmon

　　Info:

　　A passionate martial artist, it is well versed in every type of fighting skill. Its fluid, speedy blows are filled with a great destructive power.

　　

Gitan

There's nothing like trying to be evil and having people like you for it.

　　Monster Group: Fanciful

　　Primary Skill: Stab

　　Secondary Skill: Thunder

　　Likes: Chocolate

　　Info:

　　Wanting to be a real demon, the gitan tries to do all kinds of mischief. But this usually backfires, and people wind up being grateful to it. It's very troubled by this.

　　

Ogyo

Ogyos are graceful fighters that look like anorexic koi fish.

　　Monster Group: Sprite

　　Primary Skill: Whip

　　Secondary Skill: Attack Sonar

　　Likes: Peach

　　Info:

　　Because of her beautiful appearance and elegant battle style, she has been nicknamed the "Noblewoman of the Stadium." She's so popular that her fans flock to cheer her on.

　　

Antlan

Antlans are slick-looking fighters with cool horns, and they look somewhat like ninjas.

　　Monster Group: Sprite

　　Primary Skill: Shadow Spark

　　Secondary Skill: Scissors Attack

　　Likes: Beef

　　Info:

　　Always a fair fighter, the antlan inspires many kids with love and courage. The perfect hero of justice, it has cool-looking horns, which it is very proud of.

　　

Garu

Garus are cute and are the de facto stars of Monster Rancher 4.

　　Monster Group: Sprite

　　Primary Skill: Wild Slash

　　Secondary Skill: Tail Typhoon

　　Likes: Beef

　　Info:

　　Always energetic and full of curiosity, the garu is also a bit of a coward. But in a pinch, it comes running and gets into the action! That's what makes it so popular.

　　

Madillo

Madillos are the strong silent types.

　　Monster Group: Beast

　　Primary Skill: Back Blow

　　Secondary Skill: Flying Bomb

　　Likes: Potato

　　Info:

　　A monster of very few words, it trains hard in silence. It would like to do something better with its life, but it doesn't know how. It trains hard in silence day after day.

　　

Ripper

Rippers are like Cuisinarts with feet.

　　Monster Group: Beast

　　Primary Skill: Tail Claw

　　Secondary Skill: Mate Cutter

　　Likes: Carrots

　　Info:

　　The ripper is a speedy monster that can control wind and ice at will. The sharp sickles it has on its elbows can slice whole rocks in two.

　　

Phoenix

Phoenixes are extremely tough opponents.

　　Monster Group: Spirit

　　Primary Skill: Beak

　　Secondary Skill: Fire Attack

　　Likes: Pork

　　Info:

　　The legendary phoenix is a bird of courage and intelligence. The temperature of the flames that engulf its body change according to what kind of person is near it.

　　

Suezo

Suezos are the bad boys of Monster Rancher 4.

　　Monster Group: Fanciful

　　Primary Skill: Kissing

　　Secondary Skill: Licking

　　Likes: Beef

　　Info:

　　Suezos are famous for their selfishness, but just as many breeders as ever raise them. There's some kind of mysterious charm about suezos that makes them hard to hate.

　　

Mocchi

You'd be hard-pressed to find a cuter critter than the mocchi.

　　Monster Group: Fanciful

　　Primary Skill: Slap

　　Secondary Skill: Hip Attack

　　Likes: Peaches

　　Info:

　　The secret of the mocchi's popularity isn't just its cute mannerisms and adorable eyes; it also has an irresistibly spongy body and soft, smooth skin.

　　

Jell

Jells are versatile fighters.

　　Monster Group: Unknown

　　Primary Skill: Unknown

　　Secondary Skill: Unknown

　　Likes: Unknown

　　Info:

　　A strange monster that can transform into anything it wants, the jell is laid-back and loves islands. A scientist stole the idea for the helicopter from its Jellcopter.

　　

Diaboros

Diaboros aren't the friendliest of monsters.

　　Monster Group: Spirit

　　Primary Skill: Dragon Tail

　　Secondary Skill: Hip Wing Storm

　　Likes: Vitamin

　　Info:

　　The "King of Dragons," this monster was let loose from its sleep by evil sorcery. Now that sorcerer is no more, and so it wanders alone, seeking blood.