The wait is finally over—*Monster Hunter Wilds* is set to launch on Friday, February 28th, but with a twist. The game will roll out across different regions at varying times, giving some players the chance to dive in before others. If you're eager to get a head start, here's how you can use the New Zealand trick to play *Monster Hunter Wilds* early.
How To Play Monster Hunter Wilds Early with the New Zealand Trick on Xbox Series X|S
The Xbox Series X|S is the simplest platform to use for early access to *Monster Hunter Wilds*. By changing your console's region, you can trick it into thinking you're in a different time zone, allowing you to play earlier. Here's how to do it:
Navigate to the Xbox settings, go to the System tab, and select Language and Location. Change the Location to New Zealand and restart your Xbox for the changes to take effect. Once restarted, you'll be able to play *Monster Hunter Wilds* at the same time as the earliest region launch.
How To Play Monster Hunter Wilds Early on PlayStation and PC
Using the New Zealand trick on PlayStation and PC is more challenging than on Xbox. Since changing the region directly isn't an option, you'll need to create a new account with a New Zealand address. For PlayStation 5, set up a PSN account, and for PC, create a Steam account, both with a New Zealand address. You'll need to purchase the game in NZ$, which might be pricier—around $77 USD for the base edition compared to $70 USD. You may also need to buy New Zealand-specific PSN or Steam gift cards from third-party sites to handle the currency conversion.
When Can I Play Monster Hunter Wilds? Regional Rollout, Explained
*Monster Hunter Wilds* will launch in over a dozen regions at different times. The earliest launch will be in Auckland, New Zealand, at 12 AM NZDT, which translates to 6 AM the previous day in New York and 3 AM on the West Coast. By using the New Zealand trick, players in the United States can enjoy almost an entire extra day of gameplay on Thursday, February 27th.
And that's how you can play *Monster Hunter Wilds* early with the New Zealand trick.
