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 Friday, February 28th, but a staggered rollout means some players can access it sooner. This guide details how to leverage the New Zealand time zone trick to play early, focusing on the easiest and more complex methods.

The Easiest Method: Xbox Series X|S

The Xbox Series X|S offers the simplest approach. Xbox allows straightforward region changes, effectively shifting your console's time zone. Here's how:

1. Navigate to your Xbox settings.
2. Select the "System" tab.
3. Choose "Language & location."
4. Change your location to "New Zealand."
5. Restart your Xbox.

After restarting, you should be able to play Monster Hunter Wilds concurrently with its earliest release region.

More Complex Methods: PlayStation 5 and PC

While region changes aren't as straightforward on PlayStation 5 and PC, it's still achievable, albeit with added steps:

1. Create a New Account: You'll need a separate PSN (PlayStation Network) or Steam account with a New Zealand address.
2. Purchase the Game: Buy 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.
3. Gift Cards (Potentially): Depending on your payment method's international transaction capabilities, you might need to purchase New Zealand PSN or Steam gift cards from a third-party vendor.

This method requires more effort but allows early access on these platforms.

Regional Release Times and the Time Zone Advantage

The image above illustrates the varied release times across different regions. Auckland, New Zealand, boasts the earliest launch (12 AM NZDT), translating to a significant head start for players in other regions. For example, this equates 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 gain almost an entire extra day of gameplay, starting on Thursday, February 27th.

This concludes your guide to accessing Monster Hunter Wilds early. Remember to adhere to any platform-specific terms of service regarding region changes and account creation.