Monster Hunter Wilds Momentum Looks Shakier as CAPCOM Sales Data Shows Rise Still Selling Ahead
CAPCOM’s latest sales snapshot is fueling a tough narrative for Monster Hunter Wilds, and it is one the community is already framing as a credibility problem rather than a normal post launch dip. In CAPCOM’s fiscal year ending March 31, 2026 third quarter report, the company published a unit sales ranking for the first 9 months of the fiscal year, with figures shown in thousand units. Inside that ranking, Monster Hunter Rise continues to outpace Monster Hunter Wilds, with Rise at 1,096,000 units versus Wilds at 991,000 units, and Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak also landing above Wilds at 1,031,000 units.
For a franchise that typically thrives on long tail engagement, that gap matters because it reinforces the perception that Wilds is struggling to convert launch excitement into durable retention and repeat sales. The conversation around Wilds has been consistently anchored to two pain points: performance instability and a difficulty curve that many core hunters viewed as under tuned at launch. CAPCOM has shipped updates since release, and the game has seen efforts aimed at addressing challenge level, but the sales comparison suggests those adjustments have not yet reshaped the market narrative or meaningfully pulled lapsed players back into the ecosystem at scale.
What makes this moment particularly uncomfortable is the optics. Monster Hunter Rise is an older entry with more mature content, deeper discounting potential, and a proven loop that players already trust. When an older Monster Hunter continues to sell ahead of the newest flagship release, it signals a loyalty pivot, where the audience is voting with both playtime and wallet. It also highlights that reputation drag can become a self reinforcing funnel blocker: players who bounced due to technical issues are slower to return, and new players who are shopping the franchise may choose the safer value pick when sentiment is mixed.
The community reaction is already reflecting that read. In one widely circulated discussion, a ResetEra member summed it up bluntly, calling Rise selling more than Wilds a damning sign, capturing the broader tone of surprise and disappointment around the comparison.
Strategically, the path forward is clear but demanding. Performance improvements must land with measurable wins that players can feel immediately, not just patch notes. Content cadence needs to focus on high impact hunting incentives that pull squads back in, while also smoothing progression to ensure returning players do not feel punished for stepping away. Longer term catalysts like a Master Rank expansion and broader platform opportunities can still reframe the product, but only if the baseline experience earns trust again.
If CAPCOM delivers a clear performance turnaround plus a strong Master Rank expansion, do you think Monster Hunter Wilds can regain momentum, or has the franchise audience already locked into Rise and World for this generation?
