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[mckmas8808]

The gaming PC market is growing really fast in Japan and The Monster Hunter IP still solid. That’s why we are having these results, STEAM numbers most be massive there, i think we misread the SteamDB info from the launch day thinking the players peak was coming from China.

Probably true.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Wait, there’s a new Wizardry game?

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Did Monster Hunter Wilds not release on Xbox Series in Japan?

The fact that, despite the biggest non-Nintendo franchise getting a release last week, Xbox sales continued to plummet shows just how consumers have responded to Microsoft going third party.

Xbox consoles are facing a giant sales collapse this year.

Microsoft aren’t that bothered though.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Wait, there’s a new Wizardry game?

Well actually it’s 20 years old. But it’s fucking cool that it got a switch release in big 2025 and it actually charted here.

 

[EN250]

Monster Hunter doing what MH does, saving a system from oblivion

 

[Musashipan]

Imagine if it was released on the Switch

 

[jm89]

Imagine if it was released on the Switch

I can imagine it alright, 10p resolution 2fps framerate.

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

I think that… they moved to PC is the right answer, is a significant drop.

Or more are buying the game digitally on PS5 vs PS4, considering even in Japan the digital market has grown gen-over-gen.

Though some have certainly shifted to PC, for sure. I'm just saying both things are likely simultaneously true meaning it's not 100% one way or the other, but no one ever considers just more PS owners buying digitally.

 

[Musashipan]

I can imagine it alright, 10p resolution 2fps framerate.

They've done some miracle porting impossible games to the switch, so why not. Most likely coming to Switch 2.

 

[Woopah]

Like every else I overestimated software and underestimated hardware.

What's the standard PS5 digital ratio for software in Japan these days? Sales of 601K Physical should be well over 1 million with digital included shouldn't it?

There's no real standard ratio. It depends on many things like age and genre.

Having an online component means MH likely has a higher digital ratio than games which are offline only. Though that will be offset somewhat by the existence of the bundle.

I think a 50%+ split is reasonable.

This post lmao.

This is physicals only. The game sold way above 1M in Japan on ps5 already.

edit: PS5 digital has close to 1M consoles sold alone. Plus the rise of digital sales...i wouldn't be surprised if the game sold like 1.3M in Japan or even more.

I think people's point is that Wilds could indeed be at 1.3 million total sales, and it would still be a noticeable drop from World (in terms of PS).

In that case maybe the IP isn't as strong as it was in 2018 or PC sales were stronger than in 2018. Who knows. Wasn't japan one of the countries where pc gaming was growing faster and faster?

MH is still pretty strong, and I dont think this result is specific to the franchise. It's just that the PS5 is unlikely to have the same software selling power as the PS4 (the rise of PC may indeed play a part in this).

Famtisu sales discussion are weird. People for some weird reason just ignore digital sales.

I know famitsu doesn't report them, but people just take the numbers as is.

Or more are buying the game digitally on PS5 vs PS4, considering even in Japan the digital market has grown gen-over-gen.

Though some have certainly shifted to PC, for sure. I'm just saying both things are likely simultaneously true meaning it's not 100% one way or the other, but no one ever considers just more PS owners buying digitally.

Any regulars in Famitsu threads know the numbers don't include digital, and digital gets brought up for most major software launches. It's definitely considered and not ignored.

 

[LordOcidax]

Or more are buying the game digitally on PS5 vs PS4, considering even in Japan the digital market has grown gen-over-gen.

Though some have certainly shifted to PC, for sure. I'm just saying both things are likely simultaneously true meaning it's not 100% one way or the other, but no one ever considers just more PS owners buying digitally.

That’s for sure, but i highly doubt that Wild sold more digital than physical to compensate the drop compared to World first week… All indicate that the PC version ate a great portion of PS share.

 

[SweetTooth]

Nice pump for PS5. Fantastic launch for MH!

 

[Muddy]

That’s for sure, but i highly doubt that Wild sold more digital than physical to compensate the drop compared to World first week… All indicate that the PC version ate a great portion of PS share.

The PS5 is just 90K sales behind the PS4 launch aligned in Japan.

I highly doubt it.

 

[viveks86]

Wow. If that’s what MH did to Japan, I can imagine what GTA will do worldwide. Q4 is going to be bonkers (assuming it’s still q4)

 

[Elios83]

Great PS5 sales, the series is clearly a system seller in Japan.

 

[Woopah]

The PS5 is just 90K sales behind the PS4 launch aligned in Japan.

I highly doubt it.

Even when PS5 was ahead of PS4 launch aligned, it wasn't selling software as strongly. A significant increase in digital would still put PS5 behind.

 

[LordOcidax]

The PS5 is just 90K sales behind the PS4 launch aligned in Japan.

I highly doubt it.

The PS5 user base is bigger than the PS4 user base at the moment World was released… by 500K.

 

[jm89]

The PS5 user base is bigger than the PS4 user base at the moment World was released… by 500K.

But didn't people like you say that alot of those ps5s where bought for export

Which is it?

 

[Muddy]

The PS5 user base is bigger than the PS4 user base at the moment World was released… by 500K.

Japan.

The PS5 is just 90K sales behind the PS4 launch aligned in Japan.

I highly doubt it.

It’s a Famitsu Sales thread.

 

[LordOcidax]

But didn't people like you say that alot of those ps5s where bought for export

Which is it?

Thats speculation on my part and could be a reason too.

 

[Muddy]

Even when PS5 was ahead of PS4 launch aligned, it wasn't selling software as strongly. A significant increase in digital would still put PS5 behind.

Well the PS5 console sales are pretty much launch aligned with PS4.

You have PS5 digital only consoles selling around 25% of total sales including this week.

We know digital sales are stronger now than when World was released which aren’t included in Famitsu sales.

So where are all the indications PC have taken a large share narrative coming from?

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

So about the PS5 being only slightly behind the PS4 in sales launch aligned, I think that doesn't really tell the whole story, considering the numerous reports about Chinese resellers buying PS5s from Japanese retailers throughout 2022 to 2024. There was a big price hike last September which looks like has mostly put a stop to that.

Anyway, the reason I'm bringing this up is because of the recent news that Wukong sold an estimated 3.5M copies in China on PS5, which suggests that the install base there is significant, with many consoles being from the 'gray market', as in imported from HK, TW, and JP. So this is something to take into account when discussing the install base of PS5 vs. PS4 in Japan.

TOKYO -- Consumer electronics chains across Japan are working to thwart inbound tourists who abuse their tax-free status by making bulk purchases of high-value items to sell them later at markup.

Electronics chain Nojima has banned multiple tax-free purchases of the Nintendo Switch since March and added the PlayStation 5 to the list in April.

Tourists who come to Japan for short stays are eligible to buy items without paying the consumption tax if they complete the paperwork at stores. Items purchased for the purpose of reselling do not qualify for the tax break.

Japan has become attractive for resellers due to the weak yen. A PlayStation 5 can be bought for 66,980 yen ($425) at the suggested retail price with tax, and for even less without the 10% consumption tax. The console sells for $499.99 in the U.S. and 3,599 yuan ($496) in China.

Japanese tax authorities have imposed fines on stores for failing to identify and block tax-free purchases for resell purposes.

Japan's electronics stores crack down on duty-free resales

Bic Camera's system records passport numbers to identify bulk purchasing

asia.nikkei.com

 

[Woopah]

Japan.



It’s a Famitsu Sales thread.

That gap is for Japan.

 

[LordOcidax]

Japan.

Yes, im talking about Japan…

PS4 user base was smaller at the moment Monster Hunter World launched.

PS4 6.187.000 (Week 4, 2018)
PS5 6.666.457 (Week 9, 2025)

479k to be precise…

 

[LordOcidax]

So about the PS5 being only slightly behind the PS4 in sales launch aligned, I think that doesn't really tell the whole story, considering the numerous reports about Chinese resellers buying PS5s from Japanese retailers throughout 2022 to 2024. There was a big price hike last September which looks like has mostly put a stop to that.

Anyway, the reason I'm bringing this up is because of the recent news that Wukong sold an estimated 3.5M copies in China on PS5, which suggests that the install base there is significant, with many consoles being from the 'gray market', as in imported from HK, TW, and JP. So this is something to take into account when discussing the install base of PS5 vs. PS4 in Japan.

Japan's electronics stores crack down on duty-free resales

Bic Camera's system records passport numbers to identify bulk purchasing

asia.nikkei.com

If this is true indeed, the console situation in Japan is far worse than we think and could be another reason for the drop compared to Monster Hunter World launch week.

 

[Woopah]

Well the PS5 console sales are pretty much launch aligned with PS4.

You have PS5 digital only consoles selling around 25% of total sales including this week.

We know digital sales are stronger now than when World was released which aren’t included in Famitsu sales.

So where are all the indications PC have taken a large share narrative coming from?

It comes from the difference in physical software unit sales. Below I've compared PS5 at the end of 2023 to PS4 at the end of 2016 (using Media Create):

PS4 - 16,228,560
PS5 - 5,403,820

Now this isn't completely fair as PS5 had about 3 months more on the market at this stage. But as we can see, the difference is still quite big and unlikely to be explained away purely by an increase in digital.

With PC gaming growing in Japan, I don't think it's unreasonable to speculate that some of the PC audience went there.

 

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

If this is true indeed, the console situation in Japan is far worse than we think and could be another reason for the drop compared to Monster Hunter World launch week.

Yeah, my assumption is that the drop compared to MH World’s launch week is due to a combination of what I've mentioned about the CN resellers, plus the fact that Japan’s PC gaming market size has tripled in the last 4 years.

https://www.neogaf.com/threads/japan%E2%80%99s-pc-gaming-market-size-triples-in-4-years-cesa-data.1675786/

 

[kazuyamishima]

So about the PS5 being only slightly behind the PS4 in sales launch aligned, I think that doesn't really tell the whole story, considering the numerous reports about Chinese resellers buying PS5s from Japanese retailers throughout 2022 to 2024. There was a big price hike last September which looks like has mostly put a stop to that.

Hong Kong is the main supplier of PS5's to China Nowadays, since last year, due to the latest price hike and stores limiting the exports from Japan to other countries, Chinese players are getting their international units mostly from HK.

Whilst the exports are scarce now, a few tourists are still getting their units from japan.

 

[John Wick]

Down 750k from World but fortunately Steam version is there to cancel out PlayStation tragic drops in sales for Monster Hunter franchise in Japan.

This seems a very tragic post. Maybe Wilds sold far more digital than World?

 

[Muddy]

It comes from the difference in physical software unit sales. Below I've compared PS5 at the end of 2023 to PS4 at the end of 2016 (using Media Create):

PS4 - 16,228,560
PS5 - 5,403,820

Now this isn't completely fair as PS5 had about 3 months more on the market at this stage. But as we can see, the difference is still quite big and unlikely to be explained away purely by an increase in digital.

With PC gaming growing in Japan, I don't think it's unreasonable to speculate that some of the PC audience went there.

It’s speculation.

That’s all it is.

PC is growing in Japan but it is still dwarfed by Console.

The smaller physical launch sales of Wilds has probably more to do with growing Digital adaptation than PC sales.

 

[SweetTooth]

This seems a very tragic post. Maybe Wilds sold far more digital than World?

He is in so much pain

 

[pulicat]

This seems a very tragic post. Maybe Wilds sold far more digital than World?

MH World was physically out of stock when launched on the market that forced the mass to go for digital version, while Wilds wasn't.

 

[Woopah]

It’s speculation.

That’s all it is.

PC is growing in Japan but it is still dwarfed by Console.

The smaller physical launch sales of Wilds has probably more to do with growing Digital adaptation than PC sales.

Sure, but it being to do with growing digital adoption is also speculation. In reality it's likely a combination of both.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Sure, but it being to do with growing digital adoption is also speculation. In reality it's likely a combination of both.

Digital follows global trends and sony financial statements. Not sure why you're soon keen to ignore this.

 

[Woopah]

Digital follows global trends and sony financial statements. Not sure why you're soon keen to ignore this.

I've never ignored digital and me and you have had several conversations specifically about digital (we just has one last week!).

So why are have you accused me of ignoring digital multiple times?

 

[Mibu no ookami]

I've never ignored digital and me and you have had several conversations specifically about digital (we just has one last week!).

So why are have you accused me of ignoring digital multiple times?

Every time we discuss it, you try and downplay the impact of a growing global trend which is digital downloads....

 

[LordOcidax]

Digital follows global trends and sony financial statements. Not sure why you're soon keen to ignore this.

Nobody is ignoring digital sales here, but there’s now way that Wild sold 1.4 Million digital to compensate the drop.

Monster Hunter: World Actually Broke 2 Million Sales at Launch in Japan

Digital figures are in

www.pushsquare.com

 

[Unknown?]

Nobody is ignoring digital sales here, but there’s now way that Wild sold 1.4 Million digital to compensate the drop.

Monster Hunter: World Actually Broke 2 Million Sales at Launch in Japan

Digital figures are in

www.pushsquare.com

I don't think it did but I bet it got pretty close. Probably 1.8 million.

 

[Mibu no ookami]

Nobody is ignoring digital sales here, but there’s now way that Wild sold 1.4 Million digital to compensate the drop.

Monster Hunter: World Actually Broke 2 Million Sales at Launch in Japan

Digital figures are in

www.pushsquare.com

Who said anything about 1.4 million? But the reality is that there is probably an inverse of digital and physical now compared to 2018.

 

[lh032]

I think that… they moved to PC is the right answer, is a significant drop.

you are forgetting about digital, alot of people moved to digital as well.

I guess alot of these PC gamers are regretting mhw performance on PC now ha!

 

[Woopah]

Every time we discuss it, you try and downplay the impact of a growing global trend which is digital downloads....

Because we shouldn't treat digital as a single factor that explains everything. The lower retail sale launch for Wids vs. World can have several explanations, including:

1. A higher digital ratio for Wilds on PS5 vs. World on PS4
2. People buying the PC version instead of the PS version (as Worlds didn't have a PC version at launch)
3. The total launch sales of Wilds being lower than World

All of these are possible factors. We shouldn't use digital as a single factor to explain every decline in retail sales. Especially when we can measure the extent of the decline.

 

[LordOcidax]

Who said anything about 1.4 million? But the reality is that there is probably an inverse of digital and physical now compared to 2018.

The inverse is 1.4 million digital…

 

[Tiago Rodrigues]

Even when PS5 was ahead of PS4 launch aligned, it wasn't selling software as strongly. A significant increase in digital would still put PS5 behind.

People severely underestimate PS5's digital game sales. The console has its digital version at almost 1M consoles sold in Japan alone. Those people are always buying digital copies of games.

 

[Woopah]

People severely underestimate PS5's digital game sales. The console has its digital version at almost 1M consoles sold in Japan alone. Those people are always buying digital copies of games.

We shouldn’t overestimate the change either. If PS4 had a digital ratio of 1% and PS5 had one of 75% then PS5 would still be behind in total software sales. And I doubt the difference in ratios is that big.

 

[LordOcidax]

We shouldn’t overestimate the change either. If PS4 had a digital ratio of 1% and PS5 had one of 75% then PS5 would still be behind in total software sales. And I doubt the difference in ratios is that big.

For the launch week Monster Hunter world sold 2M in total, 1.4M physical and 600K digital that’s 30% digital.

 

[Woopah]

For the launch week Monster Hunter world sold 2M in total, 1.4M physical and 600K digital that’s 30% digital.

That's based on Famitsu digital estimates. I wouldn't put much stock in them. But yes something like 30%-40% digital for World sounds about right.

 

[Woopah]

Now that February is over, these are the top selling PS5 titles this month in terms of retail sales.

1. Monster Hunter Wilds: 601,179
2. Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii: 77,608
3. Dynasty Warriors: Origins: 11,259
4. Kingdom Come: Deliverance II: 9,500 - 10,270
5. Black Myth: Wukong: 6,943 - 9,216
6. Sid Meier's Civilization VII: 3.029 - 5,302
7. Urban Myth Dissolution Center: 1.357 - 4,386

I'll compare this to the digital rankings when we get them.

 

[Metnut]

PS5 sales picking up in Japan and about to go through the roof in the US when GTA6 comes out.

This gen is going to be longer than people think. Happy to have the Pro to keep until PS6 comes out.

 

[yogaflame]

PS5 sales picking up in Japan and about to go through the roof in the US when GTA6 comes out.

This gen is going to be longer than people think. Happy to have the Pro to keep until PS6 comes out.

We still have Death Strandng 2, and soon Persona 6 and DQ12 coming up.

 

[pulicat]

We still have Death Strandng 2, and soon Persona 6 and DQ12 coming up.

Death Stranding is a niche franchise in Japan, and the new version is likely to sell below 100k on PS5. Persona 6 isn't going to do big numbers on struggling PS5.
Dragon Quest 12 will be bigger for the Nintendo platform, as shown by the Dragon Quest 3 remake in the last few months.

DQ3R sales
Switch - 1m
PS5 - 240k