How To Play Monster Hunter Wilds Early With the New Zealand Trick

Unlock Monster Hunter Wilds Early: The New Zealand Time Zone Trick

Monster Hunter Wilds officially launches on Friday, February 28th, but a clever time zone exploit allows for earlier access. This guide details how to play early, depending on your platform.

Xbox Series X|S: The Easiest Method

The Xbox Series X|S offers the simplest approach. By changing your console's region to New Zealand, you can trick the system into believing you're in a different time zone.

1. Access Xbox Settings: Navigate to your Xbox settings menu.
2. System > Language & Location: Find the "Language & location" option within the System settings.
3. Change Location: Select "New Zealand" as your location.
4. Restart Your Xbox: Restart your console for the changes to take effect.

Once restarted, you should be able to play Monster Hunter Wilds concurrently with the New Zealand launch.

PlayStation 5 and PC: A More Involved Process

While region changes don't work as seamlessly on PlayStation 5 and PC, a workaround exists, albeit with added complexity. You'll need a separate account:

1. Create a New Account: Set up a new PlayStation Network (PSN) or Steam account, using a New Zealand address.
2. Purchase the Game: Purchase Monster Hunter Wilds using this new account, paying in New Zealand dollars (NZ$). Note that the NZ$ price might be slightly higher than the USD equivalent. You may need to acquire NZ$ PSN or Steam gift cards from a third-party vendor, depending on your payment method's international transaction capabilities.

This method requires additional steps but allows early access on these platforms.

Regional Launch Times and the New Zealand Advantage

The game launches earliest in Auckland, New Zealand (12 AM NZDT). This translates to a significant time difference for other regions, granting players in the US almost an entire extra day of gameplay. By utilizing the New Zealand trick, US players can potentially start playing on Thursday, February 27th.

This concludes your guide to accessing Monster Hunter Wilds early. Choose the method best suited to your platform and enjoy the hunt!