Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Yes, it can work on an Xbox console when a Game Pass game unlocks at midnight in each region and New Zealand’s local release time arrives before the U.S. one. It is not a guaranteed Game Pass feature: global unlocks, paid early access, unavailable titles, and server-side restrictions can still block you. The console method changes the Xbox location setting—not just the clock—and does not add a game to your subscription.
What the New Zealand trick actually does
Some games become playable at midnight local time in each market. Because New Zealand reaches that point before the United States, setting an Xbox console’s location to New Zealand may let a locally released game start earlier for a U.S. player. Xbox has documented local-time launches for games including Forza Motorsport; that is the release model that makes the workaround possible.
The trick only changes the console’s region setting. It is not a clock adjustment or a VPN method, and Microsoft does not describe it as an early-access feature. The time gained depends on the game’s published schedule and your U.S. time zone; there is no universal number of hours.
How to try it on Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S
- Sign in to your Xbox console.
- Press the Xbox button and open Profile & system.
- Select Settings → System → Language & location.
- Set Location to New Zealand.
- Select Restart now.
- After the restart, launch the game locally on the console.
Menu wording can shift slightly with system updates, but the location option is under Settings → System → Language & location. Microsoft’s region-change guidance covers the setting and explains that region can affect Store content and services.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with Windows and Android.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate (for 2.4G and wired connection)
- Hall Effect joysticks and Hall triggers. Wear-resistant metal joystick rings.
- Extra R4/L4 bumpers. Custom button mapping without using software. Turbo function.
- Refined bumpers and D-pad. Light but tactile.
Before changing anything, check the game’s official release announcement or product page for its unlock schedule. If it says the game goes live worldwide at one fixed time, changing your console to New Zealand is unlikely to help.
When it can work with Game Pass
The console method has the best chance when all of these are true:
Rank #2
- Supported Multi-Platform:Switch/Switch 2 (NO support wake-up function)/iOS/Android/Windows PC (Notice:Not compatible with Xbox, PlayStation or GeForce Now, For game platforms not mentioned, please consult customer service before buying）
- Connection modes:Wired/Bluetooth/Wireless Dongle(Connect to PC via Bluetooth : Select iOS (phone) mode, but it's not recommended; Dongle is more stable)
- 【Innovative Intelligent Interactive Screen】Manba One V2 wireless game controllers create a new era of controller screens; Equipped with a 2-inch display, no App & software needed, you can set the pc controller directly through the screen visualization, More convenient operation
- 【Micro Switch Button】Manba One wireless controller has Micro Switch Button and ALPS Bumper; The 6-axis gyroscope function makes switch games more immersive
- 【Customize Your Own Controller】The intelligent interactive screen allows you to easily set vibrations, buttons, joysticks,lights, etc., without the need for complex key combinations; 4 configurations can be saved to unlock your own gameplay for different games; The 4 back keys support macro definition settings, and you can activate the set character's ultimate move with one click
- The game is included with your active Game Pass plan on Xbox console.
- It is installed or available to install.
- The publisher uses local-midnight or staggered regional unlocking rather than one global release time.
- The game is available in New Zealand as well as the U.S.
- You are entitled to the edition that is launching; there is no separate paid early-access requirement.
New Zealand is a supported Xbox market, but that does not mean every title is available there at the same time or under every plan. Game Pass availability varies by region, plan, platform, and date. Check the Game Pass catalog and the game’s own listing. A region change cannot upgrade your subscription, add a game to your library, or bypass a paid early-access window.
Recommended Free Tools
When it will not help
- One worldwide unlock: A game tied to a single UTC or U.S. release time does not become available earlier just because the console location changes. Some launch schedules differ by platform; Xbox has published examples such as Forza Horizon 5, where Xbox and Windows timing differed from Steam’s global unlock.
- Paid early access: If the publisher requires a premium edition or add-on, Game Pass access to the standard edition does not grant that entitlement.
- Server or publisher gate: An online game can remain unavailable until its central servers are opened, even if local midnight has passed.
- Missing entitlement or platform: The game may not be included with your plan, may not be available on console, or may not yet be downloadable.
- Cloud gaming: Cloud availability is controlled separately. A local-console location change is not a reliable way to make a game playable early through Xbox Cloud Gaming.
What about PC Game Pass?
Some PC players try changing Windows’ country or region, but results are less predictable than on an Xbox console. On Windows, open Settings → Time & language → Language & region and set Country or region to New Zealand. Restart Windows or the Xbox app if needed, then launch the game through the Xbox app. The relevant Windows setting is documented in Microsoft’s region guidance.
Rank #3
- XBOX WIRELESS CONTROLLER + USB-C CABLE — Includes the XBOX Wireless Controller in Carbon Black and a 9' USB-C cable. Play wirelessly or plug in for a wired gaming experience, right out of the box.*
- WIRED OR WIRELESS, YOUR CALL — Connect the included 9' USB-C cable for zero-setup wired play on console and PC. Go wireless when you want the freedom to play from the couch, the desk, or anywhere in between.
- PC READY. NO EXTRAS NEEDED — Plug the USB-C cable into your Windows PC and you're playing instantly. No adapters, no Bluetooth pairing, no additional purchases required. Works across the XBOX app, Steam, and more.*
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience sculpted surfaces and refined geometry designed around how you actually hold a controller. Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grip on the triggers, bumpers, and back case.
- UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of wireless battery life on standard AA batteries. When the batteries run low, plug in the included cable and keep playing without missing a beat.*
Do not assume this works for every PC release: launchers, accounts, and game servers can enforce different timing. Xbox’s official PC Game Pass requirements also apply; the service requires Windows 10/11 version 22H2 or later. Cloud play is a separate case and should not be treated as equivalent to launching an installed PC or console game.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.If the game says “You’re too early”
- Confirm the publisher’s official launch time, region, platform, and edition. Look for local-time wording rather than assuming it.
- Check that the title is included in your Game Pass plan and available on the platform you are using.
- Make sure the console completed its restart after the location change.
- Check for game and console updates, then fully quit and relaunch the game.
- If the title is online, check whether its servers have opened.
- If the release is global or still gated, wait for the official unlock. Restore the U.S. location if Store listings or other services look inconsistent.
If the Store requests New Zealand billing details, do not make a purchase just to force access. Launching a game to which you already have an entitlement is different from buying in another country’s Store. Foreign-region purchases can involve billing, licensing, tax, refund, and account-region requirements; see Microsoft’s purchase terms.
Rank #4
- Multi-Platform PC Gaming Controller: Working with Switch, PC, Android, and iOS devices via Bluetooth, wired, and wireless dongle connections.
- Hall Effect Joysticks: Delivering enhanced recentering performance for smoother control and superior anti-drift capability. Plus, with anti-friction rings.
- 2-Way Trigger Lock: With trigger stops, gamers can toggle between short and long pull positions. Additionally, gamers can activate hair trigger mode by pressing M+LT/RT (triggers must be in the long pull position).
- 1000Hz Polling Rate: This ensures that your inputs are registered almost instantaneously, minimizing lag and maximizing your performance during competitive play.
- Mechanical Circular D-pad: Designed for quick reactions and accuracy in every direction, this D-pad elevates your gaming experience with superior responsiveness.
Restoring the U.S. region and understanding the trade-offs
To switch back, go to Profile & system → Settings → System → Language & location, set Location to United States, and choose Restart now.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
A temporary location change should not normally remove game ownership or cancel a subscription, but Store content, account balance, purchases, subscriptions, and game availability can be region-dependent. Microsoft notes that account funds do not transfer between regions and recommends changing region when moving for an extended period—not as a routine way to manipulate Store availability. See the Microsoft region guidance and digital-goods usage rules. This guidance does not establish that a temporary change automatically causes an account penalty, nor is the trick guaranteed or officially endorsed as an access feature.
If the Game Pass catalog or a listing looks different after switching, restore the U.S. location and check the U.S. catalog. Avoid repeated region-hopping if you rely on region-sensitive Store features, account balance, or services.
Quick decision check
| Check | What it means |
|---|---|
| Game is in your plan and on your platform | Required; region switching cannot create an entitlement. |
| Official schedule says midnight local time | Best indication that the console method may work. |
| Schedule gives one global time or a server opening | Expect no advantage from changing location. |
| New Zealand has the title and the same launch entitlement | Necessary for the regional method to help. |
| You are playing via cloud or PC | Do not assume the console outcome applies. |
If you would rather avoid region-related Store changes, preload the game and wait for the U.S. unlock. Preloading saves download time, not release time. For titles with a publisher-authorized paid early-access edition, only that edition or add-on can provide its stated entitlement.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
