Get ready for the *Monster Hunter Wilds* adventure! The game launches globally on Friday, February 28th, but a clever trick lets you play early. Here’s how to jump in ahead of the curve using the New Zealand time zone.
Playing *Monster Hunter Wilds* Early on Xbox Series X|S
The easiest method to play early is on Xbox Series X|S. Xbox makes it incredibly simple to change your console's region, effectively shifting your time zone. Here's how:
- Go to your Xbox settings.
- Navigate to the System tab, then Language & Location.
- Change your Location to New Zealand.
- Restart your Xbox. That's it! You should now be able to play *Monster Hunter Wilds* at the earliest release time.
Playing *Monster Hunter Wilds* Early on PlayStation and PC
While not as straightforward as on Xbox, playing early on PlayStation and PC is still possible, albeit with a few more steps. Since directly changing your region won't work, you'll need a separate account.
- Create a new PSN or Steam account using a New Zealand address.
- Purchase *Monster Hunter Wilds* on this account using New Zealand dollars (NZ$). Be aware that the price might be slightly higher than the USD equivalent.
- You may need to purchase NZ$ PSN or Steam gift cards from a third-party retailer, depending on your payment method's international transaction capabilities.
*Monster Hunter Wilds* Regional Release Times
The game launches earliest 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, US players can gain almost a full extra day of gameplay, starting on Thursday, February 27th.
Now go forth and hunt!
