Can I play Monster Hunter Wilds early on Xbox and PC?

Promotional screenshot of a player witnessing a Turf War in Monster Hunter Wilds.
Don't get caught in the middle of Turf Wars between monsters in Monster Hunter Wilds (Image credit: Capcom)

Can we play Monster Hunter Wilds early?

No, Monster Hunter Wilds does not have an Early Access period for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, or PC via Steam so you will have to wait for it to launch on February 28, 2025. The closest you get to playing it early is by living in Los Angeles, USA, and Mexico City, Mexico, where the game will launch a few hours earlier on February 27, 2025, due to time zone difference.

You can't play Monster Hunter Wilds early, but you won't have to wait long

Monster Hunter Wilds - Launch Trailer - YouTube Monster Hunter Wilds - Launch Trailer - YouTube
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One of the most anticipated upcoming Xbox titles / upcoming PC titles is without a doubt Monster Hunter Wilds, which is set to launch on February 28, 2025, on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, or PC via Steam.

This newest entry in Capcom's best-selling Monster Hunter franchise has fans shivering with excitement for its cool-looking weapons, gigantic open-world hunting grounds dripping with secrets, the long-awaited inclusion of crossplay online multiplayer, and its host of bizarre, enormous, and terrifying roster of monsters.

Fans are so hungry for this game to come out that they're wondering if Monster Hunter Wilds has an Early Access period that requires pre-ordering it's Deluxe or Premium. Unfortunately, Monster Hunter Wilds does not have an Early Access period for its Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, or Steam versions.

The closest you get to playing Monster Hunter Wilds early on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, or PC via Steam is by living in Los Angeles or Mexico. This is because according to Monster Hunter Wilds' global launch windows, the game will launch a day early on February 27, 2025, at the following regions and times due to timezone differences:

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Region

Launch time

Los Angeles, USA

Consoles: 9:00pm PST

PC: 9:00pm PST

Mexico City, Mexico

Consoles: 12:00am CST

PC: 11:00pm

The good news is that you won't have to wait long as Monster Hunter Wilds will be launching just under a week from now at the time of this writing. So you will have to be patient just a little longer.

In the meantime, you can check our pre-order Monster Hunter Wilds guide on how to secure your copy of the base game or its shiny Deluxe and Premium Editions which include extra cosmetic outfits and items for your character, your Palico companion, and the Seikret mount.


Monster Hunter Wilds, the next-gen successor to one of Capcom's best Xbox games and best PC games, Monster Hunter World, is scheduled to launch on February 28, 2025, for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Monster Hunter Wilds

Venture into Forbidden Lands to discover uncharted lands and hunt giant monsters alongside your friends in online co-op to protect nature and mankind in Monster Hunter Wilds.

Buy for Xbox: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Microsoft Store

Buy for PlayStation 5: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | PlayStation Store

Buy for PC: GreenManGaming (Steam) | CDKeys (Steam)

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Alexander Cope
Contributor — Gaming

Alexander Cope is a gaming veteran of 30-plus years, primarily covering PC and Xbox games here on Windows Central. Gaming since the 8-bit era, Alexander's expertise revolves around gaming guides and news, with a particular focus on Japanese titles from the likes of Elden Ring to Final Fantasy. Alexander is always on deck to help our readers conquer the industry's most difficult games — when he can pry himself away from Monster Hunter that is! 

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