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?