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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe New Zealand trick was a launch-window method for playing Monster Hunter Wilds early on Xbox Series X|S by changing the console’s location to New Zealand. It was not a PS5 or PC method, and it cannot unlock the game early now: Monster Hunter Wilds released worldwide on February 28, 2025.
What the New Zealand trick did
At launch, console unlocks were scheduled around local midnight in most regions. New Zealand reached midnight before many other locations, so some Xbox players tried changing their console location to New Zealand to access the game sooner. VGC described this approach in a guide published February 27, 2025; it was a secondary guide, not official instructions from Capcom or Microsoft. Read VGC’s launch guide.
Capcom announced Monster Hunter Wilds for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with a release date of February 28, 2025. Capcom’s release announcement confirms the date. Because that date has passed, the setting change no longer provides early access.
How the method differed by platform
| Platform | Launch timing or method reported | What that meant |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X|S | VGC reported midnight local-time console unlocks in most regions and described changing the console location to New Zealand. | The New Zealand setting was the console-specific method covered by the guide. |
| PS5 | VGC said the trick did not work on PS5. | Do not use Xbox location instructions for a PlayStation console. |
| PC / Steam | VGC reported a global unlock, listing 6:00 p.m. NZDT on February 28, 2025, for New Zealand. | The Xbox location procedure did not change the PC release schedule. |
VGC noted a 9 p.m. February 27, 2025, unlock for the US West Coast as an exception to the midnight-local-time pattern. Its guide gives the platform timing and steps.
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#1 Best Overall
- Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
- A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
- New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
- Players can also now ride atop the Seikret, an agile new mount enabling hunters to traverse difficult terrain, perform actions like sharpening weapons on the move, and switch between two weapons while out on hunts!
- Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
Xbox steps VGC reported for the February 2025 launch
These are historical steps, not a way to gain access today. VGC’s guide specified an Xbox Series X|S console and advised launching the game from the library.
- Make sure you are using an Xbox Series X|S and that the game is owned, installed, or available in your library.
- Open Settings > System > Language and location, then set the console location to New Zealand.
- Fully restart the console.
- Launch Monster Hunter Wilds from your library.
- After the game officially releases in your home region, restore the console location to your home location. VGC advised doing this to regain access to that region’s Xbox Store.
The guide describes changing the console location setting. It does not support advice to change a Microsoft account’s billing country, create a foreign account, use a VPN, or change a PSN region. Nor does it establish that the procedure was guaranteed to work for every player or that changing location is consequence-free.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Release and online-play details
Capcom’s release announcement lists PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, and confirms the February 28, 2025 release date. Capcom’s announcement. PlayStation Blog also confirms the PS5 date and says online multiplayer in the full version requires PlayStation Plus. The location trick did not remove that subscription requirement. PlayStation Blog’s announcement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
- A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
- New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
- Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
- Crossplay Multiplayer – Alongside the option to enjoy the story of Monster Hunter Wilds solo, hunters can join up to three other players across any platform to explore the world together and take on the game’s challenges as a hunting party or receive aid from notable story characters as Support Hunter NPCs.
Rank #3
- Wild New Adventure – Monster Hunter Wilds follows the story of a special Research Commission investigating the Forbidden Lands. Fully voiced for the first time in the series, the hunter is joined in their journey by a colorful cast of characters, including a Palico partner, Guild-appointed Handler Alma, trusty smithy Gemma, and the mysterious child Nata. Together, the team ventures into an unexplored new frontier where surprises await around every corner.
- A Living World – The Forbidden Lands spans multiple biomes with dynamic identities, such as the Windward Plains and Scarlet Forest, where the ecosystems shift between vibrant seasons brimming with life, and unforgiving climates where monsters fight over limited resources. Changes in the landscape will impact the creatures that live there and push hunters to adapt as well.
- New Monsters and Wildlife – Monster Hunter Wilds features a variety of new creatures, ranging from herds of small species to large monsters – some of which roam the Forbidden Lands in packs. Every creature hunters encounter in the wild has carved out a special place in its habitat and possesses unique attacks and behaviors.
- Evolved Hunting Action – The series’ acclaimed action-packed gameplay is back and more exciting than ever! Hunters can look forward to tracking down monsters with an array of new moves, special abilities, equipment, and more. The action also now flows seamlessly from cutscenes to gameplay, resulting in a new level of immersion.
- Crossplay Multiplayer – Alongside the option to enjoy the story of Monster Hunter Wilds solo, hunters can join up to three other players across any platform to explore the world together and take on the game’s challenges as a hunting party or receive aid from notable story characters as Support Hunter NPCs.
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