Capcom’s Monster Hunter Wilds is off to a roaring start, setting the record for the biggest physical launch of any PlayStation 5 game in Japan. Even in an era where digital sales dominate, the latest installment of the legendary action RPG franchise proves that physical games still matter—especially for Monster Hunter fans.
According to Famitsu, as translated by Eurogamer, Monster Hunter Wilds sold an impressive 1.5 million physical copies in Japan in its first week, making it the top-performing boxed launch for a PS5 title in Japan. While some might compare this to past Monster Hunter games and assume it’s a decline, the reality is far more nuanced.
Monster Hunter Wilds Just Keeps Breaking Records
Why Physical Sales Tell Only Part of the Story
Selling 1.5 million physical copies is a major achievement, but the landscape of gaming is shifting. Compared to Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter Rise, Wilds has seen a lower percentage of physical purchases. This is not because it's underperforming; this is due to more players opting for digital s or PC versions. The rise of digital gaming in Japan has been a key factor in these lower physical sales trends. While past Monster Hunter titles relied heavily on physical releases, more players now prefer the convenience of digital purchases.
This means Wilds’ total sales—including digital and PC—could be significantly higher than initial reports suggest. Despite these shifts, Monster Hunter Wilds still appears to dominate the physical market in Japan. While it may not sur the boxed sales of older Monster Hunter entries, the fact that it’s breaking PS5 records proves that Capcom’s flagship franchise remains a juggernaut.
Our Take: I'm Glad to See Monster Hunter Winning an Uphill Battle
Why Monster Hunter Wilds Is Still a Huge Success
One major factor influencing Wilds’ performance is PlayStation's slower adoption in Japan. Unlike past generations, the PS4 and PS5 didn’t gain traction as quickly as the PS2 or PSP, which once dominated the Japanese gaming scene. Handheld and mobile gaming have become the country’s preferred platforms, leading to a more gradual PlayStation player base growth.
Monster Hunter Wilds Bow Guide (Combos, Moves, How To Play)
The most straightforward ranged weapon in Monster Hunter Wilds is the Bow, a nimble tool with unique combos you can use to take down monsters.
Though Monster Hunter Wilds has been soaring through major milestones, that doesn't mean it hasn't come with its fair share of issues. Players have been vocal about its lack of PC optimization, frequent crashes, and the title freezing up randomly throughout their playthrough.
Moreover, fans were upset with the game-breaking bugs that blocked player progression. Luckily, Capcom rolled out fixes for most of the known bugs rather quickly, but fans are still waiting for optimization fixes to enjoy all that Monster Hunter Wilds has to offer.
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