Capcom has admitted that the steep cost of PlayStation 5 gaming is limiting sales of Monster Hunter Wilds. Despite record-breaking launch figures of 10.1 million copies, sales slowed significantly by the quarter ending June 30, with only 477,000 units sold compared to Monster Hunter Rise’s 389,000 during the same period.
Capcom president Haruhiro Tsujimoto told Nikkei Gaming that the company initially expected PS5 to be the game’s primary sales platform. But factoring in the console, accessories, and subscriptions, the entry cost exceeds 100,000 yen ($677 USD), not including the $70 price tag of Wilds. This has pushed some players toward older entries like Monster Hunter World and Rise, which cost under $10.
Sony’s decision in August to raise PS5 prices by $50 further strained affordability. Meanwhile, Wilds faces criticism for its lack of endgame content and performance issues on PC, leading to “mostly negative” recent Steam reviews.
Capcom hopes that discounts, new content updates, and potential future releases on Nintendo Switch 2 could revitalize momentum. However, the slow sales highlight how hardware pricing and player expectations are shaping the trajectory of even blockbuster titles.
