How to play Monster Hunter Wilds early using New Zealand trick

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2025’s highly anticipated game, “Monster Hunter Wilds,” has been officially released! If you can’t wait to get started, there’s a trick for early access – it’s known as the “New Zealand method.

Monster Hunter Wilds is set to launch globally on February 28, starting at midnight in each region, making it possible for people living Down Under to be among the first to play. However, it’s not just them who can access the game right away; others around the world also have a chance to join in the action.

The following guide explains how to get early access to Monster Hunter World: Iceborne on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, as well as providing information about the PC version.

Table of contents

How to play Monster Hunter Wilds early on Xbox Series X|S

Players of Xbox can get an early start on Monster Hunter World: Iceborne by utilizing the New Zealand method, which necessitates minimal adjustments to settings. Here’s a simplified breakdown of the process:

1. Create or sign in to your Microsoft account.
2. Set your region to New Zealand.
3. Download and install the game from the New Zealand Xbox Store.
4. Change your region back to your original one.
5. Enjoy playing Monster Hunter World: Iceborne!

Please note that this method requires a VPN service to change your region and may be subject to Microsoft’s terms of service, so always ensure you’re complying with their rules.

  1. Open the Settings menu on your console.
  2. Select “System” from the options menu.
  3. Choose “Language and Location”.
  4. Select New Zealand from the options available.
  5. Restart your console and sign back into your account.

After completing the instructions given earlier, you’ll find that Monster Hunter Wilds can now be launched, and the message telling you it’s not yet time to play the game should vanish.

How to play Monster Hunter Wilds early on PlayStation 5

For PlayStation 5 gamers who want to get a head start, there’s a workaround to play “Monster Hunter Rise” prematurely, although it involves slightly more intricate procedures compared to Xbox Series X|S. However, please note that this method won’t function if you have already pre-ordered the game. To take advantage of this early access, follow these steps:

1. Purchase a digital copy of another game from the PlayStation Store that includes “Monster Hunter Rise” as a pre-order bonus or add-on content.
2. Pre-load and install the additional game on your PS5.
3. During installation, “Monster Hunter Rise” will also be downloaded and installed without you realizing it.
4. Once the installation is complete, navigate to your game library and start playing “Monster Hunter Rise”.

  1. Create a new PlayStation account with a different email address, setting the location to New Zealand—or sign into a New Zealand account if you created one previously.
  2. Pre-order Monster Hunter Wilds from the New Zealand store.
  3. The game will then be accessible as the pre-order is locked to the region you purchased it.

It seems that if you’ve pre-ordered Monster Hunter Wilds from the PlayStation store in a different region, you won’t be able to start playing it right away.

Can you play Monster Hunter Wilds early on PC?

For players of Monster Hunter World on PC, there are no time-saving methods to speak of since the game’s PC version releases simultaneously worldwide, unlike its console counterparts which may have different release times based on region. This means that everyone, no matter their location, can start playing at the same moment.

The action-adventure game “Monster Hunter Wilds” is set to debut on PC at 9pm Pacific Time / 11pm Central Time on February 27. This translates to 1am Eastern Time / 5am Greenwich Mean Time / 4pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time on February 28. US players, depending on their location, will be able to start playing a bit earlier than the stated release date, while international players may have to wait until later in the day.

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2025-02-27 14:23