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Import Alert: Mario Kart Wii won't work with Freeloader photo

We thought that Datel's Wii Freeloader saved the day for importers. Up until now, it allowed you to play any Wii or Gamecube game, regardless of region, without modification.

Importer Play-Asia is informing customers that this device will not work with the import version of Mario Kart Wii. According to Nintendic, these messages are sent to those who have pre-ordered an import copy of the game. 

This is an important e-mail update regarding your pending preorder Mario Kart Wii (w/ Wii Handle) (Nintendo™ Wii Japan, NTSC J)

We received the first small delivery today for testing and unfortunately we have to inform you, that the game is not compatible with the Datel Freeloader (US and PAL Version).

And, on Play-Asia's Freeloader product page, they warn that they do "not take any responsibility on possible future incompatibility of upcoming Wii game software or incompatibilies caused by Wii system updates."

It seems that Nintendo is on top of their game, literally and figuratively. I don't like how they keep their consoles region locked, and I think that they're actually forcing console modification by blocking Freeloader. Hopefully Datel can figure out some way of working with Mario Kart Wii.  

Did any of you importers get kart-blocked by Freeloader? Or are you patiently awaiting the domestic version of the game? 


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31 comments | showing # 1 to 31

AngelsDontBurn's Avatar
AngelsDontBurn at 04/08/2008 12:26
Those bastards! :(
Justice's Avatar
Justice at 04/08/2008 12:28
It hits our shores this friday so we're ok. They better allow me to continue using my freeloader with Smash Bros!
>:(
Shin Oni's Avatar
Shin Oni at 04/08/2008 12:31
you know I don't mind but seriously. if we didn't region lock every freakin console game, then people like Nintendo and Microsoft wouldn't have to worry about constantly trying to stop freeloading software.

this, as of now, is where Sony is smart and killed region locks for PS3.
BlackSheep's Avatar
BlackSheep at 04/08/2008 12:32
not that big of a deal, it comes out everywhere this month (actually i don't know about australia)

but we'll all have it soon enough :)
mistic's Avatar
mistic at 04/08/2008 12:34
damn, but the question is, did Nintendo actively block loading from freeloader or is it just a stroke of goodluck on Nintendo's side?

Since if its pure luck, not much can be said about the big N, but if there's faul play involved...

regionlocking is retarded anyways... the don't do it on DS or PSP, so why the fuck on the other consoles?

its not like importing is piracy...
Shin Oni's Avatar
Shin Oni at 04/08/2008 12:38
and if you think of it, if Nintendo wasn't slackin off with PAL releases, they wouldn't have to worry about trying to get rid of freeloaders for their systems.(or constantly ignoring Eurogamers.) So in a sense, they're still shooting themselves in the foot.
JamnOnTheOne's Avatar
JamnOnTheOne at 04/08/2008 12:43
@Mistic

"Since if its pure luck, not much can be said about the big N, but if there's foul play involved... "

What foul play? If they actually did add a fix to prevent freeloader, they're within their rights to break a 3rd party hack to circumvent region locking.
Jim Sterling's Avatar
Jim Sterling at 04/08/2008 12:46
Ah, I love how Nintendo insists on being a bunch of cunts. It's like they enjoy it.
Anus Mcphanus's Avatar
Anus Mcphanus at 04/08/2008 12:48
@JamnOnTheOne:

Actually the freeloader is 100% legal so no they are not necessarily within their rights to break it. In fact it could possibly even be an illegal move by Nintendo although I doubt anyone will contest them on that.

I think everyone kind of knew Nintendo would let the freeloader get away but this is kind of an extreme way to get rid of it and my god that was fast!
liquidninja's Avatar
liquidninja at 04/08/2008 12:50
Region locking is Bullspit. If they're gonna do that again why not restrict companies to 5 games a year aswell. (Keep people from releasing shovelware.)
BlackSheep's Avatar
BlackSheep at 04/08/2008 12:54
because nintendo loves shovelware.
Johnny Blaze's Avatar
Johnny Blaze at 04/08/2008 12:56
I am boycotting Mario Kart till Nintendo fixes this trash they call an online system.. I think we send a message to them to fix that shit..

Regionlock = Fail
SetoChaos's Avatar
SetoChaos at 04/08/2008 13:22
That sucks, Nintendo sucks when they do things like this. I mean, they are a great company, but can they please leave importers alone, I don't like importing consoles and as I live in the UK there are things that don't come out here. Such as the fact that I want the uncut No More Heroes(European version has no blood so I'm not buying it), One Piece Unlimited Adventure and many more I could name. Luckily in Mario Karts case we only get it 2 days after Japan but with the PS3 being region free and the 360 being semi region free you would think Nintendo would stop doing this. I agree, they are forcing console modification for some people.
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 04/08/2008 13:37
Nintendo sucks so much hard dick. But everyone still rally's behind them.
Wiid Whacker's Avatar
Wiid Whacker at 04/08/2008 13:39
I'm fine with region locking, so long as I get my Mario Kart fix this month.
lvl54spacemonkey's Avatar
lvl54spacemonkey at 04/08/2008 13:50
Wouldn't it be lovely if console manufacturers stopped this silly region locking stuff? Sony have and it hasn't hurt them at all. I'd say it's their biggest selling point in Europe.

Hopefully Nintendo won't cripple that freeloader I bought a few weeks back to play Smash Bros too soon.
juhok's Avatar
juhok at 04/08/2008 13:50
Oh great... Good going, Big N. Why the hell did they have to regionlock the console anyway?

I'm getting a PAL Freeloader just so I can import the US Smash Bros Brawl. Why the hell should I have to wait for months AND pay a bloated price (around 60 euros, most likely) for the game anyway? Just so I could choose between Spanish, French, German and English? I'm Finnish, I've played English games all my life and don't know a word of French, German or Spanish, so, personally, I'm fine with the NTSC release.

I'm still buying the damn game and giving Nintendo money, just not from Europe. It's not like I'm some big mean selfish hacker-pirate.

You know, I had big hopes for the Wii (and still have SOME left, really). However, with all this stupid shit going on regarding limited online play, release dates and now THIS, Nintendo is starting to look as stupid as Sony in '06.
Ryro's Avatar
Ryro at 04/08/2008 14:25
maybe it doesn't work with freeloader because Freeloader itself sucks? Has Nintendo made a statement about bypassing freeloader with Mario Kart? Until then I call shenanigans on Datel for making a spinning turd that fits inside a Wii and constantly needs to be remade. With the amount of revisions they're gonna have to make to accommodate newer games, ya might as well just get a modchip installed to get past region locking, if it can be done (not a Wii gamer myself so I dunno).
Puppetpallmich's Avatar
Puppetpallmich at 04/08/2008 15:23
uve gotta be shiting me.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 04/08/2008 15:28
Doesn't Freeloader break with every system update anyway?
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 04/08/2008 15:55
Region locking is the worst idea ever... I fucking hate it.
popculturejoe's Avatar
popculturejoe at 04/08/2008 16:01
hopefully the update and mario kart channel dont cause the freeloader to stop working for smash bros. i will not buy mario kart until others can confirm that smash bros still works since smash bros > mario kart
Timmeh's Avatar
Timmeh at 04/08/2008 16:15
I've never understood the reasons for all this region-locking. Even if someone imports the game the developer still gets their fucking money right? So who gives a shit if someone gets their copy of a game from overseas? All dumb crap like this does is encourage piracy.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 04/08/2008 16:31
Reasons for region locking:

1) It makes publishers more money by preventing gamers from importing titles from another country where they can get it on the cheap due to the different values in currency.

2) Different companies are often awarded the distribution contract for games in various countries.

3) In the case of licensed titles, copyright holders can differ from country to country, allowing importing them cuts these people out of the revenue on an IP they own or paid money to license.

4) Since portable systems are more likely travel with their owners from country to country, it makes more sense for portables to be region free (allowing people to pick up new games where ever they go) than it does for consoles.

Does this suck for the gamers? Yes. But it's not just a simple matter of "Game companies being greedy." It's no different than region locking on DVDs. But in that case you can pay a little extra for a region free player. Gamers don't have that option. Lame, but don't expect it to change anytime soon.
lem's Avatar
lem at 04/08/2008 16:31
Region locking is fine, IF they release games worldwide in a close timeframe.
JoeCamNet's Avatar
JoeCamNet at 04/08/2008 17:11
This is the shit that made me chip my system.
I've got my preorder paid in full, so fuck it, I'm gonna play it. Then again, with my luck, it'll be like Smash and the actual retail copy won't work for me. Dickheads.
PS. The online seemed to work great with no lag or issues for me. Hope it stays that way.
BlackSunEmpire's Avatar
BlackSunEmpire at 04/08/2008 18:40
I bought the freeloader for use with NMH, as I didnt want the blood to be censored. It was cheaper for me to import a freeloader and NMH than buy a new censored copy in New Zealand. I love every explosion of blood and money.

On the other hand, blocking this seems to be pretty pointless past pissing off a few people. Its not like everyone in the US has a freeloader. The market is pretty large, and most people will wait for US release.

Nintendo's antiquated 'we tell you what to like' business model needs to die. How about listening to your customers every so often??
Rosseh's Avatar
Rosseh at 04/08/2008 18:56
I've read a rumour in quite a few places about Codejunkies saying that if you send your old Freeloader with proof of receipt you would get an updated copy that worked with newer games.

There's no confirmation of this though.
HarassmentPanda's Avatar
HarassmentPanda at 04/08/2008 21:19
I understand the economics behind region locking games, but some titles never have a shot of being released here and the region locking is such a pain. I know it's impossible to say that a title will never be imported, but Sony and MS (for the most part) have been problem free with their region-free offerings.
destructo5000's Avatar
destructo5000 at 04/08/2008 21:20
I will respond to this article according to the Mario Kart online chatting system.



Nice racing, buddy!
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 04/11/2008 01:11
@ destructo5000

I see what you did there.
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