Monster Hunter Wilds, released in February 2025, sold 10 million copies in a month. But after a brilliant start, sales plummeted. The president of the Japanese publisher, Haruhiro Tsujimoto, noted that one of the reasons for the failure was the high price of the PS5.
He clarified that the main factor in the drop in sales is the cost. The game costs $80, which is significantly higher than the approximately $20 for Monster Hunter: World. The PlayStation 5 console in Japan sells for 80,000 yen ($540). Taking into account subscriptions and other games, the total costs for a player can reach approximately 100,000 yen ($670), which especially affects the young audience.
Tsujimoto called it the "PS5 barrier," which limited the availability of Wilds not only in Japan, but also abroad. In this regard, Capcom is reviewing its strategy to expand its player base in the medium and long term.
The release of the Nintendo Switch 2 for 50,000 yen ($340) showed that the market prefers more affordable platforms, and the reaction of buyers exceeded expectations. This increases the likelihood that the main Monster Hunter games may appear on Switch 2 earlier than planned, giving Wilds or future installments access to a wider audience.
