The Monster Hunter franchise is riding a wave of excitement right now, and it’s all thanks to the upcoming release of Monster Hunter Wilds. With just weeks to go before launch, fans are diving back into Monster Hunter World in record numbers, causing a significant spike in sales. Despite being seven years old, World is proving that it still has a firm grip on the gaming community, drawing in both returning hunters and newcomers alike.

Monster Hunter World’s Legacy Continues

When Monster Hunter World launched in 2018, it catapulted the franchise into mainstream success like never before. Prior to World, Monster Hunter was a well-loved but somewhat niche series, particularly popular in Japan but never quite breaking through on a global scale. That all changed with World, which streamlined mechanics, introduced a more accessible co-op experience, and delivered some of the most immersive open-world environments in the series’ history.

Now, with the hype surrounding Monster Hunter Wilds, it’s clear that excitement for the new game is translating into a renewed interest in its predecessor. Players are either revisiting World to relive its glory days or finally jumping in for the first time to prepare for what’s coming next. Either way, the result is the same: Monster Hunter World is back in the spotlight.

Monster Hunter World Hits 21.3 Million Sales—And Counting

Capcom recently updated its list of million-seller games, revealing that Monster Hunter World has now reached 21.3 million copies sold—just for the base game. When factoring in the Iceborne expansion, that number skyrockets to a jaw-dropping 28.1 million. To put that into perspective, World managed to sell over one million new copies in the last three months of 2024 alone. That’s an incredible feat for a game that’s been around since the PS4 and Xbox One era.

The franchise as a whole has been on fire, too. Midway through 2024, Monster Hunter surpassed 100 million copies sold across all its titles. While World remains the undisputed king of the series in terms of numbers, it’s not the only game benefiting from this recent surge in interest.

Monster Hunter Rise Also Sees a Sales Boost

It’s not just World that’s feeling the love. 2021’s Monster Hunter Rise has also enjoyed an uptick in sales, moving an additional 700,000 copies at the end of 2024. That brings its total sales to 16.7 million, proving that even though Rise was initially a Nintendo Switch-focused release, its later expansions to PC and other consoles helped it reach a broader audience.

Interestingly, if Iceborne were counted as a standalone title, it would rank as Capcom’s fourth best-selling game ever, with 14.9 million lifetime sales as of December 2024. That speaks volumes about just how much players value the expansion, treating it as a full-fledged sequel rather than just DLC.

Why the Sudden Sales Surge?

The timing of these sales numbers isn’t random. With Monster Hunter Wilds right around the corner, fans are eager to sharpen their skills and immerse themselves in the Monster Hunter universe again. Whether they’re dusting off their old World save files or experiencing it for the first time, players are making sure they’re ready for the next big hunt.

For those who can’t wait, there’s also an opportunity to get a taste of Wilds before launch. Capcom has extended the second open beta for Monster Hunter Wilds until February 17, giving players a chance to experience some of the new mechanics and creatures ahead of its full release.

Monster Hunter Wilds: The Next Big Thing

Monster Hunter Wilds is shaping up to be one of 2025’s biggest releases, and the excitement surrounding it is undeniable. With its official launch set for February 28 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, fans don’t have long to wait before diving into a brand-new adventure.

In the meantime, the resurgence of Monster Hunter World proves just how strong this franchise has become. Seven years after its debut, World remains a must-play experience—and with Wilds on the horizon, the hunt is far from over.