Last week, it was suggested that the 3DS would region lock its software, and today Nintendo has stated that the 3DS will not be a universal device. Instead, there will be three versions of the system -- one for North America, one for Japan, and one for Europe/Australia.
"Nintendo has developed different versions of Nintendo 3DS hardware to take into account different languages, age rating requirements and parental control functionality as well as to ensure compliance with local laws in each region," states the publisher. "Nintendo 3DS also offers network services specifically tailored for each region.
"Additionally we want to ensure the best possible gaming experience for our users and 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."
The general message seems to be that, while some games might not be region locked, others could be. Nintendo helpfully suggests that you don't buy games outside of your own territory to avoid confusion. This is, of course, great news for European customers who get to pleasure of waiting anywhere from six months to a year before Nintendo bothers to give them games.
Nintendo confirms 3DS region-lock [VG247]
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Contest:
9:20 AM on 01.18.2011
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This statement is a giant contradiction. It's almost funny. Except it's kinda sad, but whatever. I'm not much of an importing person. (I've only imported Ikaruga and Shenmue 2.)
best possible gaming experience? lol as much as i like the 3DS the region locked is really a downer. wouldn't it be cool if you were traveling from japan just to buy some cheap 3DS games so that you can play them anywhere you want at anytime?
parental control? really? wow just wow
They make the damn thing yet they can't give a definitive answer as to whether it will work or won't? It's a possibility?
That, and we all know that most of the great Japanese games are to "Japanese" to warrant a translation. Unless it's from Atlus or NIS.
and wouldnt you want your consumers to be able to buy as much of your products as they like?
Here it's "confirmed as a possibility".
Kotaku would be "REGION LOCKING DISSAPOINTINGLY CONFIRMED"
I swear they border on tabloid levels of headline fuckery at times.
Calm down, if not you will have an stomach ulcer in a year or so.
See what i did there :)
It's the same as an invading DRM on a PC game, if you pirate the game you have no problems but if you buy it you get the invasive drm in your pc. Why...
The second part of that sentence directly contradicts the first. How exactly is making my software not work "ensuring the best possible gaming experience"?
Meanwhile, if Nintendo was looking for a way of driving law-abiding consumers to investigate the dark corners of the internet, well done.
I mostly hope this doesn't affect DS games. I can live with only buying European 3DS games, but I've imported loads of DS games and I won't be able to justify purchasing a 3DS unless it will act as a replacement for my DS Lite.