Monster Hunter Wilds Shatters PS5 Sales Records in Japan

Tokyo, Japan, March 7, 2025 – ​Monster Hunter Wilds of Capcom took Japan by storm, achieving the ​highest ​physical launch sales of any PlayStation 5 title. According to ​Famitsu’s latest data, the game sold ​an impressive 601 179 physical copies in its first week. However, despite their record figures in ​the PS5, physical sales ​are still delayed by ​Monster Hunter’s previous titles, highlighting a significant shift ​in the industry towards digital downloads.

How is Monster Hunter Wilds compared to past titles?

Historically, ​the Monster Hunter franchise was ​a central sale in Japan. To compare, Monster Hunter Rise for the Nintendo Switch started ​with over 1.30 million physical ​sales, while Monster Hunter: World on the PlayStation 4 exceeded 1.35 million ​in its first three days of release. Despite a slower physical version, Monster Hunter ​Wilds has ​already proven to be ​a commercial stroller, ​selling ​8 million copies worldwide in just three days, making it Capcom’s fastest selling game, according to the company’s Platinum titles list.

Is the change in digital sales ​a new ​trend?

The transition between the ​physical and digital sales industries has accelerated ​in recent years. While Monster Hunter’s ​previous entries were highly dependent on physical sales, Monster Hunter Wilds seems to have a robust ​digital presence. ​Analysts suggest that factors such as the convenience of digital downloads, storage limits and the increasing influence of subscription gaming services can be ​the cause of this change.

How does Monster Hunter Wilds affect PS5 ​hardware sales?

The version of the game ​had a direct impact on ​sales of PlayStation 5 hardware in Japan. According ​to Famitsu, Sony sold ​108,978 ​PS5 units in ​the ​same period, covering the basic model, the single digital version and the PS5 Pro. ​This ​increase reflects the effect observed when Monster Hunter Rise ​was released in ​the Nintendo Switch, which also led to an increase ​in ​console sales.

How is Monster ​Hunter Wilds compared to other PS5 bestsellers?

Looking at ​the latest PlayStation 5 bestsellers in Japan, the numbers give a clear picture of the Monster Hunter Wilds domain. Last year’s best-selling PS5 game, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, had a total life of ​358,353 copies sold. ​In 2023, Final Fantasy XVI led 429,330 units, while Grand Tourisme 7 exceeded 218,013 ​in 2022. With ​more than 600,000 copies ​sold in a ​week, Monster Hunter Wilds has already surpassed ​these figures, cementing his place as an important success.

How is Monster Hunter Wilds ranked ​among Capcom’s greatest hits?

With 8 million copies ​sold worldwide, Monster Hunter Wilds has surpassed several Capcom classic franchises in a few days. According to Capcom’s Platinum titles ​list, the game has ​already surpassed the sales of Street Fighter V, Street ​Fighter II and Resident Evil 2. It also ends in the 9.4 million units reached by Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak from December 2024.

What other surprising trends have emerged?

Beyond the game, Monster Hunter Wilds caused unexpected trends in Japan. Reports indicate an increase in PlayStation 5 rentals as players ​who do not have access to the console are ​looking for other ways to live the game. In addition, local companies saw higher sales of naan cheese, a Japanese-Indian popular fusion dish. Although the link ​is not ​clear, some ​speculate that it may be linked to a viral trend ​or a marketing link.

How ​does ​Monster Hunter Wilds work at GeForce NOW?

Players looking to experiment Monster Hunter Wilds in high-end hardware without investing in ​expensive gaming platforms can now transmit the ​game via NVIDIA GeForce NOW. With access to a 4080 class RTX GPU in the cloud, users can enjoy the game with high-level graphics, DLSS enhancements and ​lightning ​tracking features. GeForce NOW offers flexible streaming options across devices, sub-powered PCs at Steam Deck, with session lengths varying by membership ​level.

What’s next for Monster Hunter Wilds?

Capcom has already started publishing content after launch, including time-limited event ​missions. Players have only two weeks to acquire exclusive armor and rare materials, with ​special rewards in the game related to high-level fighters. ​In addition, the deepest narrative of the game promises to explore philosophical questions about the nature of hunters and their relationship to the ​ecosystem, ​a theme highlighted in interviews ​with executive and artistic director Kaname Fujioka.

While Monster Hunter Wilds continues his ​meteoric climb, it remains to be seen ​how his sales ​path will be compared to ​previous ​franchise entries. ​However, one thing ​is true: Capcom has another important success in his hands.