As a longtime Monster Hunter fan, I've got to say—seeing Capcom admit that Monster Hunter Wilds "fell short" of expectations hit me harder than a Diablos charge. I mean, we're talking about a game that sold ten million copies at launch! But then the April-June numbers dropped like a poorly timed dodge roll: a mere 470,000 copies. That's lagging so far behind Monster Hunter World it's like comparing a Great Jaggi to a Fatalis.

The ¥100,000 Elephant in the Room

Capcom president Haruhiro Tsujimoto dropped some truth bombs in his Nikkei interview that made me look at my gaming setup with fresh eyes. He calls it the "PS5 barrier"—and honestly, when you break down the numbers, it's absolutely brutal:

• PS5 console: ¥80,000

• Game software: Approximately ¥10,000

• Monthly subscriptions: Another chunk of change

• Total upfront cost: Around ¥100,000

That's not exactly pocket change, especially for younger hunters who might still be building their careers (and their gaming budgets). Tsujimoto pointed out this isn't just a Japan problem—it's global. And I can't help but think about all my friends who are still rocking their PS4s because upgrading feels like financing a small car.

But Wait—The PS5 Is Actually Selling Well?

Here's where things get confusing. The PS5 has sold nearly 80 million units in five years, which is only 1.2 million behind the PS4's pace during the same period. So the console isn't exactly gathering dust on shelves. But Tsujimoto makes a compelling point: there's an entire ecosystem of gamers who haven't upgraded yet, and they're potentially missing out on Wilds because of it.

The $70 Question That's Making Everyone Wince

Even if you've already swallowed the PS5 pill, Tsujimoto asks the million-dollar question: "How many users will buy it at that price range?" The $70 price tag for new games is becoming industry standard, but it's clearly creating some serious sticker shock. I remember when games were $60 and thought that was steep—now I'm having existential crises every time a new release drops.

Capcom's Recovery Strategy: Free Updates and Smart Pricing

Thankfully, Capcom isn't just throwing up its hands and calling it quits. They've got a plan:

• Free title updates to keep the existing player base engaged

• New pricing strategies (whatever that means—sales? bundles?)

• Expanding to other platforms (more on this in a bit)

Tsujimoto says their "next challenge is to overcome these obstacles and get [the game] to as many people as possible." As someone who wants to see hunting parties flourish, I'm all for this approach.

The Switch 2 Wild Card

Now here's where things get really interesting. Tsujimoto specifically called out the Switch 2, noting that "the response was better than we had expected" and that it "reaffirmed the high level of cost-consciousness among ordinary consumers."

We already know Capcom has a Monster Hunter spin-off coming to Switch 2, but imagine if Wilds made the jump too? Given the deluge of demanding games heading to the hybrid console, it doesn't seem far-fetched. The Switch 2 could be the perfect solution to bypass the PS5 barrier entirely.

The Industry-Wide Implications

This isn't just about Monster Hunter. Insider Dusk Golem is already speculating that Resident Evil 9: Requiem might launch on PS4 too. With the PS5 Pro and upgraded Xbox Series X/S competing for the title of "most expensive console," it seems like publishers are finally realizing that maybe, just maybe, not everyone wants to drop a grand on gaming hardware every few years.

What This Means for Us Hunters:

✅ More platform options in the future

✅ Potential price adjustments for big releases

✅ Longer support for last-gen consoles

❌ Possible graphical compromises for cross-gen titles

❌ Longer development cycles for multi-platform releases

My Personal Take as a Veteran Hunter

As someone who's been hunting since the PSP days, I've seen this series evolve in incredible ways. Monster Hunter World brought in millions of new players by being more accessible, and I worry that the PS5 barrier might be pushing some of those newcomers away. But if Capcom's commitment to "getting the game to as many people as possible" means we'll see more platform options and smarter pricing, then maybe Wilds can still become the phenomenon it deserves to be.

At the end of the day, I just want to hunt monsters with my friends—whether that's on a PS5, a Switch 2, or honestly, even a toaster if it can run the game. Here's hoping Capcom finds the right balance between cutting-edge technology and accessibility. Because the real endgame boss isn't some massive Elder Dragon—it's the cost of living crisis affecting gamers worldwide. ✨