PS5 Price an ‘Unexpectedly Large’ Barrier for Monster Hunter Wilds Sales, Capcom President Says

In a surprising and frank assessment of the current gaming market, Capcom president Haruhiro Tsujimoto has stated that the high price of the PlayStation 5 console has been an “unexpectedly large” barrier for sales of the highly anticipated title, Monster Hunter Wilds. The game, which launched on February 28, 2025, has been a massive commercial success, selling over 10 million units in its first month, but a recent slowdown in sales has prompted a closer look at the market, and according to Tsujimoto, the price of the PS5 is a significant factor.

Speaking in an interview with Nikkei Gaming, Tsujimoto highlighted the financial commitment required to play the game on Sony’s console. He noted that the console itself costs around ¥80,000 (approximately $540 USD). When you add the price of a new game, which is often around $70 USD, and the cost of a PlayStation Plus subscription for online play, the total cost of entry can easily exceed ¥100,000 (around $675 USD). This, he argues, is “not an amount that can be easily reached, especially for younger generations,” and it is a situation that is “not limited to Japan but is similar overseas as well.”

The Rise of PC and the Return of the Switch

While the PS5 was considered the “main platform” for Monster Hunter Wilds, the game’s sales performance has shown a clear shift in player preference. According to Capcom’s Q1 2025 financial results, sales of the game have been “soft,” with only 477,000 units sold between April and June, bringing its total to 10.6 million. This drop in momentum, coupled with the high price of the PS5, has seemingly led to a surge in PC sales. PC players, who can often play a new release without having to buy an entirely new console, have become a huge part of the Monster Hunter audience. The game’s success on PC is a clear indicator of a growing trend in the industry, where PC is no longer a niche platform but a viable and often more affordable alternative to a console.

In the same interview, Tsujimoto also pointed to the success of the new Nintendo Switch 2, which launched in June 2025 at a more affordable price point of ¥48,980 ($329 USD). He stated that the “response was better than we had expected” and that it “reaffirmed the high level of cost-consciousness among ordinary consumers.” This is a significant observation, as it suggests that in an increasingly expensive market, affordability remains a key factor for success, a lesson that Capcom seems to be taking to heart. The company has stated that it is “currently formulating a strategy” to “boost sales” of Monster Hunter Wilds for the rest of the year, which will likely include sales and discounts to entice new players who may have been put off by the initial cost.

A Larger Industry Trend

The situation with Monster Hunter Wilds is a microcosm of a larger trend in the gaming industry. As hardware prices and software costs continue to rise, the barrier to entry for new players is getting higher, which is a significant concern for developers and publishers who rely on a constant influx of new players to keep their franchises healthy. The fact that a game as popular and successful as Monster Hunter Wilds is being affected by the price of its primary console is a wake-up call for the industry. It’s a clear sign that while the technology may be getting better, the price may be pushing a significant portion of the audience away. For now, Capcom will have to find a way to navigate this tricky landscape, but its transparent acknowledgment of the issue is a positive first step.