The highly anticipated *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 into the game as soon as possible, you can use the New Zealand trick to play early. Here's how to do it across different platforms.
How to Play Monster Hunter Wilds Early with the New Zealand Trick on Xbox Series X|S
Playing *Monster Hunter Wilds* early is easiest on the Xbox Series X|S. Xbox allows you to change your console's region effortlessly, enabling you to play the game at the earliest possible time. Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to the Xbox settings.
- Enter the System tab.
- Click on Language and Location.
- Change the Location to New Zealand.
- Restart your Xbox to apply the changes.
Once your Xbox restarts, you'll be able to play *Monster Hunter Wilds* as soon as it launches in New Zealand, which is significantly earlier than in other regions.
How to Play Monster Hunter Wilds Early on PlayStation and PC

While using the New Zealand trick on PlayStation and PC is more complex, it's still achievable. Unlike Xbox, you can't simply change the region on these platforms. Instead, you'll need to create a new account with a New Zealand address.
To play *Monster Hunter Wilds* early on PlayStation 5 and PC, follow these steps:
- Set up a new PSN or Steam account with a New Zealand address.
- Purchase the game on this new account using New Zealand dollars (NZ$). Note that this might be slightly more expensive; for example, the base edition of *Monster Hunter Wilds* is around $77 USD in NZ$.
- You may need to buy New Zealand-specific PSN or Steam gift cards from third-party sites, depending on your card's international transaction capabilities.
When Can I Play Monster Hunter Wilds? Regional Rollout, Explained

The release of *Monster Hunter Wilds* will vary across regions, with Auckland, New Zealand, getting the game first 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 using the New Zealand trick.