Monster Hunter Wilds Faces Steep Post-Launch Sales Decline

Once considered one of Capcom’s most dependable franchises, the Monster Hunter series may finally be showing signs of fatigue. Despite a strong launch and positive reception, Monster Hunter Wilds is struggling to sustain the sales momentum typically seen in the franchise.

According to Capcom’s latest financial report, released on September 30, the game’s quarterly performance has weakened significantly — a surprising turn for what was positioned as the series’ next big leap following Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter Rise.

Sales Decline Despite Early Success

In the most recent quarter, Monster Hunter Wilds sold roughly 160,000 units, a sharp decline from the 477,000 copies sold in the previous quarter. The title barely managed to remain within Capcom’s top 10 best-selling games for the period.

Even more strikingly, the game was outsold by several older releases, including Monster Hunter Rise, Devil May Cry HD Collection, and Devil May Cry 5 — the latter topping Capcom’s chart for the quarter. Compared with Monster Hunter: World, other games have historically maintained weaker long-term sales, buoyed by steady player retention and word-of-mouth momentum.

The drop-off has raised questions about whether Wilds’ post-launch content strategy has failed to sustain interest at the same level as past entries.

Capcom Attributes Weak Sales to Hardware Costs

In its financial briefing, Capcom attributed the decline in part to high hardware costs, particularly the price of the PlayStation 5 in Japan, which the company believes continues to limit access to newer titles.

While Monster Hunter Wilds has benefited from several post-launch updates and live events, Capcom’s data suggests that player engagement is tapering faster than anticipated.

Eyes on a Potential Comeback

Despite the slump, Capcom remains confident in Wilds’ long-term prospects. The company is banking on upcoming collaborations and seasonal events to reignite player interest — particularly the highly anticipated crossover with Final Fantasy XIV, featuring Omega Planetes, one of the most formidable monsters ever introduced in the franchise.

With that event set to launch later this year, Capcom will be watching closely to see if Monster Hunter Wilds can regain its footing — or if this marks the first real sign of exhaustion for one of gaming’s most enduring series.