Xbox and Nintendo Delivered Shuhei Yoshida's Scariest Moments

Shuhei Yoshida, former president of Worldwide Studios for Sony, reflected on the biggest career shocks he faced during his tenure at PlayStation. The first was when Xbox launched the Xbox 360 a year before the PlayStation 3, making it challenging for Sony to compete as gamers flocked to the next generation. The second was Nintendo's announcement that Monster Hunter 4 would be a 3DS exclusive, which stunned Yoshida since the franchise had thrived on PlayStation. He noted that this move, combined with a significant price cut for the 3DS, forced him to confront the serious competitive landscape. Yoshida retired after three decades at Sony, and his insights continue to shed light on the industry's history and challenges.

Monster Hunter 4 is a highly acclaimed action role-playing game developed by Capcom, launching exclusively on the Nintendo 3DS in 2013. The game marked a pivotal point for Nintendo, as it capitalized on the popularity of the Monster Hunter franchise, which had previously found great success on the PlayStation Portable. By securing this iconic title, Nintendo significantly boosted the appeal of the 3DS, positioning it as a strong contender in the handheld market against the PlayStation Vita.

Monster Hunter 4's success helped cement the franchise's status as a vital component of Nintendo's lineup, demonstrating how strategic game exclusives can impact market dynamics. With its engaging gameplay, vast environments, and cooperative multiplayer, Monster Hunter 4 attracted a large audience, further establishing the 3DS as a powerhouse during its era.