Get ready for the *Monster Hunter Wilds* adventure! The game launches globally on Friday, February 28th, but a clever trick lets you play early. Here's how to jump into the hunt ahead of schedule using the New Zealand time zone advantage.
Playing *Monster Hunter Wilds* Early: The Xbox Advantage
The easiest path to early access is on Xbox Series X|S. Xbox's flexible region settings make it simple to "trick" your console into thinking it's in New Zealand, granting you earlier access. Here's how:
- Navigate to your Xbox settings.
- Go to the System tab.
- Select Language & location.
- Change your Location to New Zealand.
- Restart your Xbox.
That's it! You should now be able to play *Monster Hunter Wilds* as soon as it launches in New Zealand.
Playing *Monster Hunter Wilds* Early on PlayStation and PC
While not as straightforward as on Xbox, the New Zealand trick can still work on PlayStation and PC, albeit with some extra steps. Since changing your console region directly won't work, you'll need a separate account:
- Create a new PSN (PlayStation) or Steam account.
- Use a New Zealand address when setting up the account.
- Purchase *Monster Hunter Wilds* on this account using New Zealand dollars (NZ$). Note that the price might be slightly higher than the USD equivalent.
- You may need to purchase NZ$ gift cards from a third-party retailer, depending on your payment method's international transaction capabilities.
*Monster Hunter Wilds*: Regional Release Times
The game launches earliest in Auckland, New Zealand, at 12 AM NZDT. This translates to 6 AM the previous day in New York and 3 AM on the West Coast. By utilizing the New Zealand trick, US players can enjoy nearly a full extra day of gameplay, starting on Thursday, February 27th.
Happy hunting!
