Shuhei Yoshida, the former president of Sony Interactive Entertainment's Worldwide Studios, disclosed that Nintendo and Xbox delivered the two most alarming surprises during his tenure at PlayStation.

In an interview with MinnMax, Yoshida recounted how Xbox 360's early launch—preceding PlayStation 3 by a full year—created intense pressure. Consumers who waited for Sony's console risked falling behind in experiencing next-gen gaming.

However, Yoshida described Nintendo's exclusive deal for Monster Hunter 4 on the 3DS as "the biggest shock" of his career. "That announcement completely blindsided me," he admitted.

The Monster Hunter franchise had thrived on PlayStation Portable with two exclusive titles, making Nintendo's coup unexpected. The situation worsened when Nintendo slashed the 3DS price by $100—undercutting PlayStation Vita's market position.

"Both consoles launched at $250, but Nintendo's aggressive price drop and exclusivity deal completely changed the landscape," Yoshida explained. "When I learned Monster Hunter—PSP's biggest franchise—was going 3DS-exclusive, it was a devastating moment."

After retiring in January following three decades with Sony—where he became one of PlayStation's most recognizable executive—Yoshida has begun sharing unprecedented industry insights.

Among other revelations, the veteran executive has critiqued Sony's live-service strategy and weighed in on why a Bloodborne remake or sequel remains unlikely.