3DS will be region locked

[Swamperon]

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-01-11-nintendo-3ds-region-locked

Well this very much upsets me. So many niche handheld titles get brought over to NA but fail to make it to the UK. Annoying the only thing stopping me from enjoying & buying titles is some silly technical bit.

Buying a NA 3DS will be too expensive for years to circumvent this. Don't know why they couldn't have gone the optional route like the XBox 360/PS3. Region locking can encourage piracy as well, something which Nintendo is under heavy pressure to crack down on. Bah.

I can only hope that the rep/message is wrong and it is only the digital software that is region locked.

[megasdkirby]

Well, here is hoping someone does a region free cart or firmware for it.

Still no price on the 3DS either, which makes me wonder.

[joshnickerson]

Probably a move to appease publishers; why spend time and money localizing a game when people might just import a foreign version before you release a local version?

It's probably not THAT big of a threat to regional sales, but there must be some reason behind it, aside from annoying importers.

[Flashback2012]

Par for the course for Nintendo to lock things out. It's almost surprising to think the GB/GBC/GBA/DS were NOT region locked honestly. While I think the 3DS will be neat, I still think they're being premature in releasing it any time soon. It would seem to me that the DS/DSi is still going strong. I realize there is increasing competition from handheld devices like the iPod and smartphones as well as the rumblings of a PSP2, but I imagine that even with these things on the market the 3DS will still sell like gangbusters.

If I was still heavy into the import scene like I was during the Saturn/PS1 days I might be more peeved but in the last 10 years they've been good about bringing out a good plethora of things from both Europe and Japan to NA so I'm not as bothered by it. I do sympathize for ya Swamp, hopefully they'll get on the ball and release some good stuff on your side of the pond. :cheers:

[RCM]

Apparently the DSi and XL are also region locked. Fucking weak. This will actually encourage me to mod the 3DS.

[FoxNtd]

I really fucking hate region locking. I was already looking away from 3DS and this surely isn't helping the matter. Locked or not, those who want to play something from another region will, one way or another. All I see from this is encouraging modifiers and homebrew writers to get to work hard, and of course this helps open up piracy channels a lot faster, as well as tons of lost sales. Instead of having region bullshit at all, why not make it available somehow, maybe online? Every time I get a Japanese game, it's always a second-hand sale, so they don't see a dime. Maybe I'm just dreaming because it would never work with the current publishing system, right?

Screw them then, region locked or not I still buy and play JP region games and they don't get anything for it. As far as I'm concerned they're only hurting themselves, not us.

Slightly related note, look at all that happened since Sony suddenly removed the Other OS option for PS3. They're probably not too thrilled with the outcome.

[kedawa]

Way to legitimize the need for flash carts Nintendo!

[PapaStu]

Apparently the DSi and XL are also region locked. Fucking weak. This will actually encourage me to mod the 3DS.

The DSi Ware store is region locked. Cartridge games are not. If you've got a US system, you can only access the US DSiWare store. Same thing w/ Japan and Europe.


I really fucking hate region locking. I was already looking away from 3DS and this surely isn't helping the matter. Locked or not, those who want to play something from another region will, one way or another. All I see from this is encouraging modifiers and homebrew writers to get to work hard, and of course this helps open up piracy channels a lot faster, as well as tons of lost sales. Instead of having region bullshit at all, why not make it available somehow, maybe online? Every time I get a Japanese game, it's always a second-hand sale, so they don't see a dime. Maybe I'm just dreaming because it would never work with the current publishing system, right?

Screw them then, region locked or not I still buy and play JP region games and they don't get anything for it. As far as I'm concerned they're only hurting themselves, not us.


The Japanese publishers already don't get anything from you (and never have). You buy second hand. They are seeing no additional sales from your game purchases. You're just bitching because you'd now have to own a second system to play your imported games.

Region locking is still pretty widespread because PUBLISHERS don't have the licenses for aspects (be it music or whatever) for sale in other countries. All those DDR games that Konami has put out over the years, most aren't here because Konami didn't have the rights for music distribution here in the states. It would have just cost them too much for it to be viable. The same thing happens to regular games all the time. There are 360 games that are regionless and some that are not. Most of the games that are regionless that people would care about, are left regionless because the publishers know that they arn't going to have a audience worth the cost to bring the game to America, thus many of the SHUMPS are left open for all to buy.

I say whatever to the reginonal release of 3DS games. If there is really something THAT important to me that I can't either wait for the US release or handle that it's only over there and not here, then i'll just buy a system. I've got a HUGE 5 Japanese games and 1 Euro game compared to my 440+ US DS games. I wanted to play Japanese PS2 games, so what did I do? Went to Play-Asia and bought myself a Japanese PS2. Solved that 'issue' real quick. I'll do the same thing if I desperately have to play a 3DS MushiKing and can't handle it just sitting on my shelf like my DS Mushiking games do right now.

I'd be more sad about a cool designed case for the system that would be only capable of playing that regions games, but I'm sure i'll get over it. A Pikachu 3DS just won't get to come home, unlike the DSLite Pikachu system i've gotten for katchoo. Will it be a deal breaker? Hardly.

[The 1 2 P]

I also despise region locks but I'm sure console/handheld makers have their reasons for it.

[maxlords]

No handhelds are region locked for their retail games because of the way the international trade laws work. That's why consoles are region locked (or used to be till the PS3)...has to do with the way international trade law is structured. I don't know all the specifics, but I'm sure it could be looked up. I'm not sure why the PS3 isn't actually....

[RCM]

The DSi Ware store is region locked. Cartridge games are not. If you've got a US system, you can only access the US DSiWare store. Same thing w/ Japan and Europe.

Thanks for the clarification. Still pretty weak, but all is not lost!

EDIT:

@Maxlords. I believe the decision to go region-free for PS3 stems from a modchip court ruling in Australia. The case ruled in the mod's favor because they successfully argued the chips were used to play games from all regions, which isn't illegal. In response, Sony stripped the only legit argument for MCs that held up in court. Something like that...

[Leo_A]

That's incorrect, DSi enabled cartridge games are also region locked. Some are DSi enabled even without using any of the internet or other special features of the DSi/XL, just to region lock the cartridge (such as the Sonic collection).

With the introduction of region locking with the DSiWare store and DSi enabled cartridges, you could see this was sadly coming.

[PapaStu]

Thanks for the clarification. Still pretty weak, but all is not lost!

Looking back at what I said, I want to make sure that I was clear. The DSi and DSi XL are cartridge region free. The DSiWare stores they access are not. Those are tied to the country of origin.

[Leo_A]

Looking back at what I said, I want to make sure that I was clear. The DSi and DSi XL are cartridge region free. The DSiWare stores they access are not. Those are tied to the country of origin.

Like I already just said, some cartridge games are region locked, including games that don't access the DSiWare store, don't use the internet at all, and don't rely on any of the special features of the DSi line like the cameras.

[PapaStu]

That's incorrect, DSi enabled cartridge games are also region locked. Some are DSi enabled even without using any of the internet or other special features of the DSi/XL, just to region lock the cartridge (such as the Sonic collection).

With the introduction of region locking with the DSiWare store and DSi enabled cartridges, you could see this was sadly coming.

So that would mean all 3 of the DSi exclusive games are region locked. Makes sense. Good luck finding them in many stores. At first I thought we were going to have lots of them. I've been very happy to see otherwise. They do have different spines and 2 of the 3 have white cases (Picture Perfect and System Flaw).

Picture Perfect Hair Salon
System Flaw
Foto Showdown


There is another chunk of games that have 'additional' content for DSi's. I guess that'd region lock them too. I hadn't even thought about it tbh.

[Leo_A]

Again, games that don't use any of the features of the DSi line are being released as DSi enabled games in order to get that region lock, such as the Sonic Classics Collection from Sega.

It's far more than the list you've shown and has been a clear indicator for quite sometime that we could expect the 3DS to introduce region locking across the board.

It's become enough of an issue that it was even widely reported when Sonic Colors was released that it wasn't released as an DSi enabled game, since people expected it would be in order to be region locked since it has started to become fairly common (including with Sega published games). Look at the fine print on the back of some recent DS cartridges and you'll likely see the notice that it's region locked and will only work with DSi units from the region the game originated from (Which also extends to normal DS units as well).

All of Ubisoft's DS releases for quite sometime have been region locked, for one example. It's happening to games that seemingly don't even use any of the special features of the DSi line.

[Dr. Dib]

At first I was upset about this, but then I realized this isn't too much of a big dealbreaker to me. I own one import game, excluding my Play-Yan micro, and rarely have the desire to import any. I'll probably still get a 3DS region locked or not.

[theclaw]

I can't say it's a good thing. Still it'd be nice if this gets people to quit being ignorant of, if not denying, such things are happening in the industry.

IIRC all games with DSi content of any form (however minuscule it may be) are region locked. No exceptions or widely available workaround yet. Period.

[substantial_snake]

This and the battery life have greatly reduced my interest in the 3DS.

I'm almost certainty going to hold off until the lighter/cheaper version or to see weather the PSP2 is going to show up soon.

[Enigmus]

Personally, I don't mind region locking, since a team will break into the 3DS' firmware in a year or two and unlock regions, and the break will be even greater, since they could add GBA support back in by porting VBAGX and do even greater things using the 3D screen (Virtual Boy emulator, anyone?).

[FoxNtd]

The Japanese publishers already don't get anything from you (and never have). You buy second hand. They are seeing no additional sales from your game purchases.

Region locking is still pretty widespread because PUBLISHERS don't have the licenses for aspects (be it music or whatever) for sale in other countries.

I buy second-hand because that's essentially my remaining option. If I had the ability to go to Japan every month and buy these things from authorized resellers so some of the dimes head back to the publishers maybe it'd be a different story.

The point was, wouldn't it be nice if the publishers just operated internationally and all the hardware was the same (both components and firmware), so that regardless what nation you're stuck in, you can buy from whomever you want. If it's simply a legal restraint causing locks to be made, it seems futile since these locks are always beaten anyway.

[PapaStu]

Again, games that don't use any of the features of the DSi line are being released as DSi enabled games in order to get that region lock, such as the Sonic Classics Collection from Sega.

It's far more than the list you've shown and has been a clear indicator for quite sometime that we could expect the 3DS to introduce region locking across the board.

It's become enough of an issue that it was even widely reported when Sonic Colors was released that it wasn't released as an DSi enabled game, since people expected it would be in order to be region locked since it has started to become fairly common (including with Sega published games). Look at the fine print on the back of some recent DS cartridges and you'll likely see the notice that it's region locked and will only work with DSi units from the region the game originated from (Which also extends to normal DS units as well).

All of Ubisoft's DS releases for quite sometime have been region locked, for one example. It's happening to games that seemingly don't even use any of the special features of the DSi line.

The list I put up was DSi EXCLUSIVE games. I've not noticed issues because i'm playing US games on my US system. I'm not surprised. DS piracy is rampant. In theory that may slow some piracy down a bit by having the region locking. Why only Sega and Ubi are doing it is beyond me, as most of their games on the system are far from the big sellers.


I buy second-hand because that's essentially my remaining option. If I had the ability to go to Japan every month and buy these things from authorized resellers so some of the dimes head back to the publishers maybe it'd be a different story.

The point was, wouldn't it be nice if the publishers just operated internationally and all the hardware was the same (both components and firmware), so that regardless what nation you're stuck in, you can buy from whomever you want. If it's simply a legal restraint causing locks to be made, it seems futile since these locks are always beaten anyway.

I've never had any problem buying from Play-Asia and those games are new, non-secondary market items. Money goes to the publishers for new purchase games and all that because they are buying the games either from the publisher or from a recognized vendor that deals with the publishers. It's well beyond a simple legal constraint as well. Localization, submittal and passing reviews by the big 3 (Sony, Nintendo, MS) before releases in other regions could easily add months to game developement time.

[Emuaust]

meh, I hate region locking, its stupid for gamers such as myself, I wont be getting a 3DS

[buzz_n64]

Whatever, I'll just wait until the price of the system drops. By that time someone will have hacked the 3DS, and it will be on like Donkey Kong!

[Robocop2]

The battery life is what bothers me more than the region locking. I don't think I've ever played an import game except that ROM of Wanpaku Graffiti I played on my NES emulator but I can see the frustration on the part of those who do.

[Leo_A]

The list I put up was DSi EXCLUSIVE games.

Sorry, I thought we were discussing DS cartridges that were region locked. I understand what you meant now.


Why only Sega and Ubi are doing it is beyond me, as most of their games on the system are far from the big sellers.

Who said it was just them? They're two of the most notable examples, but I doubt it's limited to just those two. A search reveals lots of different DS releases that are DSi enhanced that I'm not familiar with, so I think a fair number of companies are doing it sadly.


I've never had any problem buying from Play-Asia and those games are new, non-secondary market items.

The vast majority of DS software is region free. This is a fairly recent phenomenon over the past 12-18 months during a time when DS software releases are slowing down and much of what is being released isn't aimed at the traditional gamer. So it's pretty easily missed and not very important to most any Nintendo DS user.

But just the same, it does exist and sadly appears to have accurately hinted at the future we can expect as far as import titles are concerned on the 3DS.

[FoxNtd]

Again, games that don't use any of the features of the DSi line are being released as DSi enabled games in order to get that region lock, such as the Sonic Classics Collection from Sega.

It's far more than the list you've shown and has been a clear indicator for quite sometime that we could expect the 3DS to introduce region locking across the board.

It's become enough of an issue that it was even widely reported when Sonic Colors was released that it wasn't released as an DSi enabled game, since people expected it would be in order to be region locked since it has started to become fairly common (including with Sega published games). Look at the fine print on the back of some recent DS cartridges and you'll likely see the notice that it's region locked and will only work with DSi units from the region the game originated from (Which also extends to normal DS units as well).

All of Ubisoft's DS releases for quite sometime have been region locked, for one example. It's happening to games that seemingly don't even use any of the special features of the DSi line.

(Emphasis mine.)

Whoa.. there are now DS cartridges that implement a region check?? I bought a new DS Lite here in USA and only play JP games with it. So now I have to double-check any future DS purchases for compatibility? :grrr:

So the amount of currently restricted cartridges is few, but I still would have to confirm before I buy anything since I won't know this off-hand. Is there a known aggregation of these locked carts listed somewhere? I wasn't even aware locking was going on with cartridges until pointed out in this thread...

[kupomogli]

The amount I care about region locking is equal to the amount of non text heavy imports I'm interested in. For the PSP I own five imports, PS3 one, PS2 three, PSX one, GC one, and GBA one.

The low battery life and the estimated costs of games being higher than DS prices is the only things I dislike. Most DS games retail $30 while nearly all first party and Square Enix games retail $40.

[Leo_A]

(Emphasis mine.)

Whoa.. there are now DS cartridges that implement a region check?? I bought a new DS Lite here in USA and only play JP games with it. So now I have to double-check any future DS purchases for compatibility? :grrr:

So the amount of currently restricted cartridges is few, but I still would have to confirm before I buy anything since I won't know this off-hand. Is there a known aggregation of these locked carts listed somewhere? I wasn't even aware locking was going on with cartridges until pointed out in this thread...

I couldn't find a list, I don't think anyone is trying to track it. Many of these region locked games are shovelware (Compelling releases on the DS have slowed almost to a trickle) that most people won't be interested in. And because of that, it doesn't seem like anyone is terribly interested in trying to keep track.

But if you're buying any releases from over the past year or so, be very careful since there's a decent chance it's region locked. In Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand, it's stated on the back what region the game is for. I assume Japan is the same if you can read it and view the back case art online before purchasing it.

[PapaStu]

I couldn't find a list, I don't think anyone is trying to track it. Many of these region locked games are shovelware (Compelling releases on the DS have slowed almost to a trickle) that most people won't be interested in. And because of that, it doesn't seem like anyone is terribly interested in trying to keep track.

But if you're buying any releases from over the past year or so, be very careful since there's a decent chance it's region locked. In Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand, it's stated on the back what region the game is for. I assume Japan is the same if you can read it and view the back case art online before purchasing it.


I could start looking at the releases i've bought this last year. Bust out the Pikachu DS Lite and start testing. It'd take a while though.

[Zama]

Tis a sad day to be a portable importer :onfire: *Goes back to playing Persona 3 on PSP*

[Leo_A]

Thankfully for classic gaming fans in regions like Europe, the recent Intellivision Lives compilation isn't DSi Enhanced after checking it just now

That's the only recent DS purchase of note for me in months and I really doubt it will make it outside of North America. I'm sure Intellivision Productions had no desires to region lock it, but that decision would've ultimately been up to the publisher (Virtual Play Inc).

[FoxNtd]

I couldn't find a list, I don't think anyone is trying to track it. Many of these region locked games are shovelware (Compelling releases on the DS have slowed almost to a trickle) that most people won't be interested in. And because of that, it doesn't seem like anyone is terribly interested in trying to keep track.

But if you're buying any releases from over the past year or so, be very careful since there's a decent chance it's region locked. In Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand, it's stated on the back what region the game is for. I assume Japan is the same if you can read it and view the back case art online before purchasing it.

Interesting.. I could read it if I knew at least one Japanese region-locked game so I can check its artwork and point out the message for everyone so we can all be aware of what to look for. Otherwise it'd take a while for me to find it... :popcorn:

[Flashback2012]

The amount I care about region locking is equal to the amount of non text heavy imports I'm interested in. For the PSP I own five imports, PS3 one, PS2 three, PSX one, GC one, and GBA one.

The low battery life and the estimated costs of games being higher than DS prices is the only things I dislike. Most DS games retail $30 while nearly all first party and Square Enix games retail $40.

I haven't been keeping up with the 3DS information at all, what kind of battery life are they talking about for the unit? I don't play my DS for long periods of time (maybe 15-30 min at a time) but one feature I LOVE is how it holds a charge for a damn long time. I haven't had to charge my DS in over a month and it still fires up and is ready to go like it has batteries plugged into it. :)

I charged my PSP a week ago and I just tried to turn it on, only to find it's doing an impression of an expensive paperweight until I recharge the battery. -_-

As for the cost of 3DS games, I HOPE they keep roughly the same pricing model as the DS currently has now. If I see first party titles fetching $50 and 3rd party/shovelware asking for $40....no thanks. I'll be just fine without a unit and I'll instead play catch up on my never decreasing backlog of titles for other systems while I wait for 3DS software titles to drop to the price range I'm willing to pay for them. If that makes me a cheapskate, then so be it. :ass:

[Robocop2]

If this site is correct its 3-5 hours playing 3DS games and 5-8 playing DS games

http://www.geek.com/articles/games/nintendo-3ds-battery-life-is-only-3-5-hours-2011018/

[Swamperon]

If this site is correct its 3-5 hours playing 3DS games and 5-8 playing DS games

http://www.geek.com/articles/games/nintendo-3ds-battery-life-is-only-3-5-hours-2011018/

Why do I have an overly cynical suspicion they're keeping it slightly low so they can 'increase' it for the 3DS Lite? I'm suuure they're not but...

And good news, it may have already being cracked! I hate piracy, but not as much as I hate region locking.

http://www.gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=147284#comment-section

[Icarus Moonsight]

Is it possible that the flaunted 3D movie what-n-such prompted just adopting an across the board region lock out system rather than just region-coding the relevant media? If the lockdown is system wide maybe it's less, although still, vulnerable to circumvention. They could have just said, "Screw it, lock it all up."

At it's price point, offering 3D viewing while portable... I don't think region locking is going to keep it down much really. That's all Nintendo needs is bootleg 3D porno on a device heavily targeted to kids and teens without putting all the methods they can put to use to prevent it. Otherwise, PR disaster.

[Leo_A]

Is it possible that the flaunted 3D movie what-n-such prompted just adopting an across the board region lock out system rather than just region-coding the relevant media?

There's no technical reason why games would have to be region locked just in order to region lock video media. If games are region locked on this, then they specifically want games to be region locked and it's not a side effect of something else.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Not even as a measure to appease or waylay concerns of content providers and thereby helping secure Nintendo's projected licensing revenue? I know it's not required to be that way to function, but if anything running on the device has to pass a check, then that is closing some obvious and simple exploit avenues. It also addresses multiple concerns with one broad solution.

I'm thinking more along the human lines of due diligence and psychology (mixture of appeasement on the third party producer side and control on the customer side) rather than a technology requirement of the device itself.

[Leo_A]

What concerns of content providers? Why would they be concerned that their videos wouldn't be region locked if games were region free, as long as Nintendo told them they would be and it was stipulated in their contracts? What exploit avenues would there be if Nintendo made games region free?

There is no difficulty in specifically locking out an individual piece of content in a modern device like the 3DS. Look at the Game Boy Player, for one example. It won't play GBA video cartridges to appease publishers like Disney. Yet games are region free.

If games are region locked on this device, then it's been a conscious decision that Nintendo has made to specifically prevent people from easily importing games from other regions. I can't imagine a situation where it would be a byproduct of something else. You don't need to region lock every last piece of software in order to protect those releases that publishers do want region locked.

Of course that's just my opinion. It's no more right or wrong then what you think.

[Icarus Moonsight]

There was region locked media produced for a region-free gaming system...
UMD movies. Yeah, follow that success story right to the stars. LOL

I'm not saying I know anything about specifically why they choose to do this. I do know that differentiation from non-performers in the market is a first principle strategy. In their shoes, this is the best reason I can think of to do what they've decided. That's all.

[Leo_A]

There was region locked media produced for a region-free gaming system...
UMD movies. Yeah, follow that success story right to the stars. LOL

I'm not saying I know anything about specifically why they choose to do this. I do know that differentiation from non-performers in the market is a first principle strategy. In their shoes, this is the best reason I can think of to do what they've decided. That's all.

I have my MBA and have never even heard of the first principle strategy.

I'd debate with you, but I'm not clear on exactly what you're getting at.

[Smoke]

Gay.


Why can't every company be like Sony?

[Icarus Moonsight]

No need for that Leo, it was just a thought. Apparently it wasn't very good or I'm not putting it into words well.

[Leo_A]

No need for that Leo, it was just a thought. Apparently it wasn't very good or I'm not putting it into words well.

I wasn't trying to be rude or dismissive, just wasn't familiar with the theory you were using. I'm assuming it's not a business theory or that I know it under some different name?

You very well might be raising an excellent point. I'm just not in a position due with my unfamliarity with what you're explaining to make a personal judgement on it one way or another.

[G-Boobie]

This and the battery life have greatly reduced my interest in the 3DS.

I'm almost certainty going to hold off until the lighter/cheaper version or to see weather the PSP2 is going to show up soon.

Amen, brother. Except for the region locking part. I don't really mind that so much. (see below)


[...] I don't think I've ever played an import game except that ROM of Wanpaku Graffiti I played on my NES emulator but I can see the frustration on the part of those who do.

I bought a JP PS2 specifically to play Melty Blood and a few other games, and started checking out import sites to find other titles to pick up. Since I'm not into visual novels or Gundam games, speak almost no Japanese, and don't sleep with a huge anime girl pillow, there isn't much that didn't come out here in the states that's worth playing; or at least paying ninety dollars plus shipping for. I suspect that trend will only continue with 3DS. It sucks for fans of visual novels and so on, but I'd bet most games worth picking up will be available in every region.

tl;dr: you aren't missing much my friend.



Gay.

Why can't every company be like Sony?

I can tell you have a long and illustrious career ahead of you here at DP.

[Icarus Moonsight]

I wasn't trying to be rude or dismissive, just wasn't familiar with the theory you were using. I'm assuming it's not a business theory or that I know it under some different name?

You'll be happy to know then that you weren't received that way! :) And I think that's it. BTW, "first principle strategy" was used by me as a descriptive term. First-principals from a philosophical perspective, then applied to a business strategy. If competitor A tried X and it didn't work, company B should try something non-X, in other words. I don't think that it is an explicit business term at all. LOL

Nintendo, having problems with piracy on GBA and DS, is just trying something new to see what happens. Inexpensive all-in-one solutions are viewed very favorably by investors/shareholders and even consumers. Of course, since it seems to have already been found how to get around the measure, it might have already failed. It's possible that the fact that they ramped up and even tried to have more control over the device at that point can then serve as appeasement, because at least they tried something different that had a possibility of working, in theory. Even if bypassed, no one can say they didn't try to fix the problem... Does that make more sense? It is difficult, to say the least, trying to make sense out of nonsense.

[Leo_A]

Don't think it's been mentioned, but it appears that region locking will be up to each individual publisher. Hopefully most won't force it upon us.

[Icarus Moonsight]

I can count all of my Euro imports (all systems) on two hands and a foot, so no real loss for me there... From over the Pacific on the other hand, they seem to be a bit more voluntary lock-up happy. So, ouch.

[Swamperon]

Don't think it's been mentioned, but it appears that region locking will be up to each individual publisher. Hopefully most won't force it upon us.

I hate saying this, but source? Everything I've read so far seems to suggest a blanket region locking approach. Though obviously I would prefer the alternative.

[Leo_A]

I hate saying this, but source? Everything I've read so far seems to suggest a blanket region locking approach. Though obviously I would prefer the alternative.

Nintendo's own wording suggest otherwise, and many mainstream sites have reported it. It's been widely reported and isn't hard to confirm for yourself if you have any doubts.

They've stated that "there is the possibility that Nintendo 3DS software sold in one region will not function properly when running on Nintendo 3DS hardware sold in another" and to check the back of the game case to ensure that it will play in your 3DS.

That's being interpreted as placing region locking up to the decision of the individual publisher (Although I assume if a game takes advantage of the internet, it will automatically have to be locked such as like DSi Enhanced software).

[Swamperon]

Nintendo's own wording suggest otherwise, and many mainstream sites have reported it. It's been widely reported and isn't hard to confirm for yourself if you have any doubts.

They've stated that "there is the possibility that Nintendo 3DS software sold in one region will not function properly when running on Nintendo 3DS hardware sold in another" and to check the back of the game case to ensure that it will play in your 3DS.

That's being interpreted as placing region locking up to the decision of the individual publisher (Although I assume if a game takes advantage of the internet, it will automatically have to be locked such as like DSi Enhanced software).

Well some good news then. Although I'm sure all but the nichest of publishers will take the region locking route.

[Leo_A]

Well some good news then. Although I'm sure all but the nichest of publishers will take the region locking route.

Maybe, but for years, it's been widely viewed as best if handhelds aren't region locked so international travellers can purchase games without fear of their purchase not working.

So if publishers still believe that, maybe at least a healthy portion will choose to keep their software region free when possible.

[Aussie2B]

I bought a JP PS2 specifically to play Melty Blood and a few other games, and started checking out import sites to find other titles to pick up. Since I'm not into visual novels or Gundam games, speak almost no Japanese, and don't sleep with a huge anime girl pillow, there isn't much that didn't come out here in the states that's worth playing; or at least paying ninety dollars plus shipping for. I suspect that trend will only continue with 3DS. It sucks for fans of visual novels and so on, but I'd bet most games worth picking up will be available in every region.

tl;dr: you aren't missing much my friend.

I have to disagree strongly, and I take a little bit of offense at what you're implying a heavy importer would be into. At this point, yes, "most" worthwhile games will get localized, but I would say practically any given system, including the ones over the last decade, have lots of stuff worth importing, even if you're not a creepy otaku. Most importers I know don't care about visual novels or anime-licensed games and most aren't spending 100 bucks on their imports, so I don't think you know much about importing.

As for the DS discussion, I'm currently in region lockout hell myself. While I haven't really researched it, I would venture to guess that there are lots of DSi-enhanced games at this point. But if you want to talk 100% locked out of a foreign region, then it would only be those three aforementioned DSi-exclusive carts. Assuming the game can play on an older pre-DSi model, then it can play on ANY region of original DS or DS Lite. The older model has no way of detecting the lockout, as opposed to the DSi which will behave as if a game isn't inserted at all.

As for my problem, I bought Solatorobo, which is specifically DSi software despite that the only thing DSi about it is the ability to use a photo on the file selection screen. Even though I have an XL with its big, beautiful screens, it's a no-go, and I'm still in the process of trying to repair my old DS Lite. I ended up having to borrow a DS Lite to play Solatorobo, which was great, but now I have to deal with the issue of attempting to download the bonus missions with the DS Lite's outdated Wi-Fi abilities. The DSi supports WPA and WPA2, but the original DS and DS Lite are WEP only. I've been to two McDonalds and one Starbucks, and it appears that all of these places have upgraded their service since the days in which the older DS models would work there. I don't use WEP at home and don't want to either, so I'm a bit stuck. So there's yet another issue for importers forced to use older DS models to play DSi games.

[Snesguy666]

they should at least make say for example JP only games should have no region code so us western gamers can still play them. -without buying a second system- ((Mushihemesama LE on X-box 360)) the game is in japanese but hey, at least i can still play it on my Australian xbox without moding it.

Region codes and region exclusive games promote console moding/pirates