Monster Hunter Wilds Boosts PS5 Sales in Japan, Switch Remains Strong with Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection

Capcom’s Monster Hunter Wilds Drives Major PS5 Sales Surge, But Nintendo Switch Remains a Top Contender in Japan The Japanese video game market has always been unique, exhibiting preferences that can diverge sharply from global trends.

While PlayStation 5 (PS5) has achieved strong worldwide momentum since its November 2020 launch, Nintendo Switch hardware continues to dominate weekly sales charts in Japan — a dynamic recently challenged by the release of Capcom’s highly anticipated Monster Hunter Wilds. A Landmark Launch for Monster Hunter Wilds and PS5 Monster Hunter Wilds, the latest entry in Capcom’s flagship series, debuted exclusively on PlayStation 5 in Japan, making a decisive impact on local hardware sales.

According to sales data reported by Famitsu for the week of February 17–23, 2024, the PS5 version of Monster Hunter Wilds sold an impressive 601,179 copies during its first week.

This substantial figure shot the PS5 to the top of both hardware and software charts, with all three PS5 SKUs collectively selling 108,978 units.

In comparison, the entire Nintendo Switch family moved 45,189 units in the same period. A representative summary of the results as presented by Capcom highlights that Monster Hunter Wilds' debut represents one of the strongest launches in the franchise’s history on current-generation hardware, directly leading to PlayStation 5 securing the number one spot in weekly Japanese hardware sales for the week. Switch Software Still Rules with Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection Despite PS5’s hardware victory, Nintendo Switch continues to showcase strong software performance.

Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection for Switch captured the second spot in software sales, amassing 49,862 first-week units—a debut that would have likely claimed the top ranking in any other week not marked by Monster Hunter Wilds.

Switch-exclusive titles, including Super Mario Party Jamboree and Donkey Kong Country Returns HD, also maintained positions within the top five, reflecting the platform’s enduring popularity among Japanese users.

Longstanding hits like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, now at over 6.2 million units sold life-to-date in Japan, further underscore Switch’s sustained appeal. Japanese Hardware Sales Breakdown (February 17–23, 2024, Famitsu): 1.

PlayStation 5 – 75,070 units (lifetime: 5,550,115) 2.

Switch OLED Model – 30,112 units (lifetime: 8,827,863) 3.

PlayStation 5 Digital Edition – 26,362 units (lifetime: 944,104) 4.

Switch Lite – 11,094 units (lifetime: 6,473,891) 5.

PlayStation 5 Pro – 7,546 units (lifetime: 172,238) 6.

Switch – 3,983 units (lifetime: 20,066,829) This week marks one of the rare occasions where Sony’s PS5 family overtook the Nintendo Switch in Japan—a feat largely attributed to Monster Hunter Wilds’ platform exclusivity.

However, Switch’s consistent sales and robust library, featuring both new releases and evergreen titles, demonstrate its continued relevance in the Japanese market.

Notably, Xbox hardware saw minimal movement, with fewer than 1,000 units sold across all models. Capcom’s Achievements Solidify Their Position Monster Hunter Wilds’ stellar launch enforces Capcom’s status as a leading Japanese developer, renowned for shaping both local and global trends in action RPGs and multiplayer gaming.

The Monster Hunter series, long associated with both Nintendo and PlayStation platforms, continues to serve as a key driver for hardware adoption, as illustrated by this week’s results. Conclusion While Monster Hunter Wilds provided the PlayStation 5 an unprecedented hardware spike, Nintendo Switch remains a formidable force thanks to its diverse catalog and loyal user base.

As the Japanese gaming landscape continues to shift, weekly sales charts like these offer valuable insights into the purchasing patterns driving console competition in one of the world’s most important video game markets.

Nintendo Switch Monster Hunter Nintendo Japan Monster Hunter Wilds PS5 Switch Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection