Quick Guide: New Zealand Trick in Forza Horizon 6 for Xbox
The New Zealand Trick is back, and yes, it works for Forza Horizon 6 on Xbox. If you want to jump into the streets of Japan before your local launch time, this is the easiest method available. Xbox still uses a rolling midnight release system, which means players in New Zealand unlock the game earlier than most regions around the world.
By switching your console region to New Zealand, you can usually start playing 12 to 16 hours before the game officially unlocks in your country.
The best part? It only takes a couple of minutes to set up.
What the New Zealand Trick Actually Does
This trick changes your Xbox console’s region settings so the system believes you are located in New Zealand. Since New Zealand reaches midnight much earlier than North America and Europe, the game unlocks there first.
Once the unlock time hits in New Zealand, your Xbox lets you launch the game early.
This is not a hack, mod, or exploit. You are simply changing the console’s location setting through the normal Xbox dashboard menus.
How to Activate the New Zealand Trick on Xbox
Follow these exact steps on your Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One:
Open the Settings menu on your Xbox dashboard.
Scroll down to System.
Select Language & location.
Find the Location dropdown menu.
Change your location to New Zealand.
Press the B button to go back.
Select Restart now when prompted.
After the console reboots:
Open your game library
Launch Forza Horizon 6
Start exploring Japan early
If the game still says “You’re too early,” wait a few minutes and fully restart the console again.
Does It Work on Every Version?
Yes. The trick works during both launch phases:
Premium Edition Early Access
Standard Edition Full Release
If your version normally unlocks at midnight local time, the region switch can move that unlock forward.
Platforms Where It Works
The New Zealand Trick works on:
Xbox Series X
Xbox Series S
Xbox One
Xbox PC App version
It does not work on Steam.
Steam uses a simultaneous global release system instead of regional midnight unlocks, so changing your region there does nothing.
You Do NOT Need a VPN
A lot of players overcomplicate this.
You do not need:
A VPN
A new Xbox account
Router changes
DNS tricks
Simply changing the Xbox console location setting is enough.
Common Problems and Quick Fixes
“You’re Too Early” Error
Try these fixes:
Restart the console again
Make sure the region is set to New Zealand
Confirm the game is fully installed
Check that your Premium Edition or upgrade bundle is active
Game Won’t Launch
Go to:
My Games & Apps → Manage Game → Updates
Install any pending updates before trying again.
Wrong Time Zone
Sometimes the console region changes but the timezone does not refresh properly. A full reboot usually fixes this automatically.
Can You Switch Back Later?
Yes. After the game officially launches in your home region, you can safely return your Xbox location settings back to normal.
Just repeat the same steps and select your original country.
Your save data, cars, credits, and progression will stay intact.
By switching your console region to New Zealand, you can usually start playing 12 to 16 hours before the game officially unlocks in your country.
The best part? It only takes a couple of minutes to set up.
What the New Zealand Trick Actually Does
This trick changes your Xbox console’s region settings so the system believes you are located in New Zealand. Since New Zealand reaches midnight much earlier than North America and Europe, the game unlocks there first.
Once the unlock time hits in New Zealand, your Xbox lets you launch the game early.
This is not a hack, mod, or exploit. You are simply changing the console’s location setting through the normal Xbox dashboard menus.
How to Activate the New Zealand Trick on Xbox
Follow these exact steps on your Xbox Series X|S or Xbox One:
Open the Settings menu on your Xbox dashboard.
Scroll down to System.
Select Language & location.
Find the Location dropdown menu.
Change your location to New Zealand.
Press the B button to go back.
Select Restart now when prompted.
After the console reboots:
Open your game library
Launch Forza Horizon 6
Start exploring Japan early
If the game still says “You’re too early,” wait a few minutes and fully restart the console again.
Does It Work on Every Version?
Yes. The trick works during both launch phases:
Premium Edition Early Access
Standard Edition Full Release
If your version normally unlocks at midnight local time, the region switch can move that unlock forward.
Platforms Where It Works
The New Zealand Trick works on:
Xbox Series X
Xbox Series S
Xbox One
Xbox PC App version
It does not work on Steam.
Steam uses a simultaneous global release system instead of regional midnight unlocks, so changing your region there does nothing.
You Do NOT Need a VPN
A lot of players overcomplicate this.
You do not need:
A VPN
A new Xbox account
Router changes
DNS tricks
Simply changing the Xbox console location setting is enough.
Common Problems and Quick Fixes
“You’re Too Early” Error
Try these fixes:
Restart the console again
Make sure the region is set to New Zealand
Confirm the game is fully installed
Check that your Premium Edition or upgrade bundle is active
Game Won’t Launch
Go to:
My Games & Apps → Manage Game → Updates
Install any pending updates before trying again.
Wrong Time Zone
Sometimes the console region changes but the timezone does not refresh properly. A full reboot usually fixes this automatically.
Can You Switch Back Later?
Yes. After the game officially launches in your home region, you can safely return your Xbox location settings back to normal.
Just repeat the same steps and select your original country.
Your save data, cars, credits, and progression will stay intact.
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