Monster Hunter Wilds Sparks Surge in PS5 Sales in Japan

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Monster Hunter Wilds has made a remarkable impact in Japan, significantly boosting the popularity of the PlayStation 5 (PS5). The latest installment in Capcom’s globally renowned franchise saw over 600,000 physical copies sold on the PS5 in its launch week, driving a surge in console sales across the country. This milestone reaffirms the strong relationship between the Monster Hunter franchise and Japanese gaming culture, influencing console demand as fans rush to experience the latest adventure in the series.

Monster Hunter Wilds: A Strong but Comparatively Weaker Debut

While the launch of Monster Hunter Wilds has been impressive, it falls short of the record-breaking debuts of its predecessors. In 2018, Monster Hunter: World on the PlayStation 4 achieved a staggering 1.35 million copies sold in its first days. Likewise, Monster Hunter Rise on the Nintendo Switch in 2021 sold 1.3 million copies at launch.

Despite this comparative decline, Monster Hunter Wilds remains a powerful force in the gaming market, racking up an astounding 8 million copies sold worldwide in just three days, including digital sales. The franchise’s legacy continues to drive massive success, reinforcing Capcom’s dominance in the action RPG genre.

PS5 Sales Skyrocket Following Monster Hunter Wilds Release

The launch of Monster Hunter Wilds has dramatically impacted hardware sales in Japan. During the week following its release, Sony’s PlayStation 5 witnessed a massive boost, selling 109,000 units, a stark contrast to the 45,000 Nintendo Switch units sold in the same period. This surge underscores the influence that high-profile exclusive or heavily marketed titles have on console demand.

Console Sales Breakdown (February 24 – March 3, 2025)

Below is a detailed breakdown of console sales in Japan following the Monster Hunter Wilds release:

  • PlayStation 5 – 75,070 units (Total sales: 5,550,115)
  • PlayStation 5 Digital Edition – 26,362 units (Total sales: 944,104)
  • PlayStation 5 Pro – 7,546 units (Total sales: 172,238)
  • Nintendo Switch OLED Model – 30,112 units (Total sales: 8,827,863)
  • Nintendo Switch Lite – 11,094 units (Total sales: 6,473,891)
  • Nintendo Switch – 3,983 units (Total sales: 20,066,829)
  • Xbox Series S – 640 units (Total sales: 332,626)
  • Xbox Series X Digital Edition – 46 units (Total sales: 19,889)
  • Xbox Series X – 35 units (Total sales: 319,519)
  • PlayStation 4 – 20 units (Total sales: 7,929,295)

Sony’s flagship console continues to be the dominant force in Japan’s gaming landscape, especially with AAA game releases that cater to its audience.

Top-Selling Games in Japan (February 24 – March 3, 2025)

The Monster Hunter Wilds launch led to a massive sales spike, making it the top-selling game of the week. Here are the rankings:

  1. [PS5] Monster Hunter Wilds (Capcom, 02/28/25) – 601,179 copies (new)
  2. [NSW] Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection (Konami, 02/27/25) – 49,862 copies (new)
  3. [NSW] Wizardry: The Five Ordeals (G*Spark Publishing, 02/27/25) – 11,299 copies (new)
  4. [NSW] Super Mario Party Jamboree (Nintendo, 10/17/24) – 10,746 copies (Total: 1,209,807)
  5. [NSW] Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (Nintendo, 01/16/25) – 10,418 copies (Total: 216,581)
  6. [NSW] Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Nintendo, 04/28/17) – 10,062 copies (Total: 6,269,164)
  7. [PS5] Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (SEGA, 02/21/25) – 9,389 copies (Total: 77,608)
  8. [PS4] Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii (SEGA, 02/21/25) – 7,545 copies (Total: 44,487)
  9. [NSW] Okayu Nyumu! (Entergram, 02/27/25) – 5,932 copies (new)
  10. [NSW] Minecraft (Microsoft, 06/21/18) – 5,047 copies (Total: 3,820,765)

The Future of Monster Hunter Wilds and PS5 in Japan

The success of Monster Hunter Wilds indicates that the franchise remains a dominant player in Japan’s gaming industry. While its initial sales figures are slightly lower than previous entries, its global success is undeniable. The increase in PS5 sales demonstrates the console’s resilience in the market, particularly when backed by a powerhouse title.

As Capcom continues to expand the Monster Hunter universe with potential updates and downloadable content (DLC), it is expected that sales will sustain strong momentum. Likewise, the PlayStation 5 may see further gains with upcoming high-profile game releases, cementing its position as a leader in the gaming industry.

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