- Screenshot from Monster Hunter Wilds, Courtesy of Capcom

Monster Hunter Wilds Sales Slump Blamed on PS5 Pricing, Says Capcom

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By Mollie Dominy | Last updated Sep 2, 2025 3:28 PM ET

Monster Hunter Wilds came out swinging in February, breaking Capcom records with 10.1 million copies sold—8 million of those in just three days. It was the best-selling game in the U.S. year-to-date. But fast-forward to Q2, and the momentum’s gone cold. Wilds moved just 477,000 units last quarter, barely edging out Monster Hunter Rise, a four-year-old title still holding its own at 389,000.

Capcom’s internal report calls Wilds’ sales “soft,” and president Haruhiro Tsujimoto is pointing fingers at the cost of entry for PS5 players. And honestly? He’s not wrong.

The PS5 Price Wall Is Real—and Rising

Tsujimoto told Nikkei Gaming that Capcom had banked on PS5 being the primary platform for Wilds. But between the console, accessories, and subscriptions like PlayStation Plus, the total cost to play hits around ¥100,000 (roughly $677 USD). Add Wilds’ $70 price tag, and you’re looking at a $750+ buy-in for a game that—at launch—had less content than its predecessors.

And then Sony raised prices again. As of August 21, the base PS5 now costs $549.99, the Digital Edition is $499.99, and the PS5 Pro clocks in at $749.99. That’s not just steep—it’s exclusionary.

Players Are Opting for Older, Cheaper, More Complete Games

Image from Monster Hunter Wilds, Courtesy of Capcom

Why drop $750 on Wilds when Monster Hunter World and Rise are selling for under $10 and still offer more content? That’s the question players are answering with their wallets. Capcom admits younger gamers without disposable income are skipping Wilds entirely, opting for older titles that deliver more bang for fewer bucks.

And it’s not just about price—it’s about value. Wilds launched with performance issues on PC, a thin endgame, and a seasonal model that hasn’t won back the player base. Steam reviews have dipped into “mostly negative” territory, and some fans are taking their frustration way too far, reportedly harassing Capcom devs over the game’s state.

What’s Next? Discounts, Patches, and Maybe a Switch 2 Lifeline

Capcom’s solution? More content, more updates, and maybe a launch on the rumored Nintendo Switch 2. But until then, Wilds is stuck in a weird spot: a blockbuster launch followed by a slow fade, all while older entries continue to outperform it quarter over quarter.

Final Thoughts: Monster Hunter Wilds Isn’t the Problem—The Platform Is

Capcom built a game for a console ecosystem that’s pricing out its own audience. Wilds isn’t failing because it’s bad—it’s failing because it’s expensive. And in a market where $10 gets you a full Monster Hunter experience, $750 for a newer, thinner one just doesn’t compute.

If Capcom wants Wilds to bounce back, they’ll need more than patches. They’ll need a platform shift—or a pricing rethink. Because right now, the monsters aren’t the barrier. The hardware is.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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