According to Capcom, sales of the latest Monster Hunter entry could have been much stronger, but there is one factor dragging them down—and it has nothing to do with the game itself.

Capcom president Haruhiro Tsujimoto told Nikkei Gaming that the disappointing performance of Monster Hunter Wilds is the result of the PlayStation 5’s steep price tag rather than shortcomings in the title. He explained that while launch sales were robust, numbers fell off quickly in the months that followed. Since Sony’s console is considered the main platform for the release, its cost has had a significant impact on overall sales.

Factoring in the console price, accessories, the PlayStation Plus subscription required for online play, and the game itself, Monster Hunter Wilds becomes an expensive proposition—especially for younger players without disposable income. As a result, many may find it more reasonable to pick up earlier entries in the franchise, such as Monster Hunter World and Monster Hunter Rise, both of which are available for much less while offering more content. Capcom’s biggest challenge now is to make the new installment as accessible as possible to fresh players, with plans to roll out discounts later this year to boost sales.

In the same interview, Tsujimoto also touched on the Nintendo Switch 2. He emphasized that its success has exceeded Capcom’s expectations, largely thanks to its lower price compared to the PlayStation 5. “The Switch 2’s strong sales confirm just how cost-conscious consumers are around the world,” he noted. The advantage is even greater given that Japan has access to an even cheaper, region-exclusive model.

It’s unfortunate that Monster Hunter Wilds hasn’t matched the success of earlier titles. Despite criticism over its relatively low difficulty, the game remains a worthy addition to the franchise, with the development team actively working to address concerns through free updates and added content.

Source: WCCFTech, Nikkei