Play Monster Hunter Wilds Early: Use the New Zealand Trick

At long last, Monster Hunter Wilds is set to launch on Friday, February 28th, with a rolling release that means different regions will get access at varying times. If you're eager to dive in early, the New Zealand trick is your golden ticket. Here's how to get a head start on playing Monster Hunter Wilds.

How to Play Monster Hunter Wilds Early with the New Zealand Trick on Xbox Series X|S

The Xbox Series X|S offers the simplest method to play Monster Hunter Wilds early. By changing your console's region, you can trick it into thinking you're in a different time zone, allowing you to access the game earlier. Here's how:

1. Change Your Region: Navigate to the Xbox settings, go to the System tab, and select Language and Location. Change the Location to New Zealand.
2. Restart Your Console: After setting your location, restart your Xbox to apply the changes.
3. Early Access: Once restarted, you can play Monster Hunter Wilds at the same time as the earliest region, which is Auckland, New Zealand.

How to Play Monster Hunter Wilds Early on PlayStation and PC

Using the New Zealand trick on PlayStation and PC is more complex but still achievable. Since changing your region directly won't work, you'll need a separate account:

1. Create a New Account: Set up a PSN or Steam account with a New Zealand address.
2. Purchase the Game: Buy Monster Hunter Wilds on this account using New Zealand dollars (NZ$). Note that this might be slightly more expensive; the base edition, which is around $70 USD, translates to about $77 USD in NZ$.
3. Gift Cards: You may need to purchase New Zealand-specific PSN or Steam gift cards from third-party sites if your card doesn't handle international transactions smoothly.

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When Can I Play Monster Hunter Wilds? Regional Rollout, Explained

The image above outlines the release schedule for Monster Hunter Wilds across over a dozen regions. The game launches first 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 using the New Zealand trick, players in the United States can enjoy nearly 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.