Nintendo to limit DSi games with DVD-style region locks
Bid to stop halt 'underage gamers', apparently
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The upcoming DSi handheld games console will be region locked, Nintendo has confirmed.
Despite software on the previous DS console being region-free, Nintendo told website Eurogamer that it decided to tie the DSi’s software to specific geographical regions because the console “embeds net communication functionality within itself” and Nintendo intends to “provide net services specifically tailored for each region”.
Nintendo's DSi: games will be region-coded
As a result, if a European gamer buys a DSi in the UK, they’ll only be able to play software bought within Europe. The same will be true for North America and Japan.
The Japanese videogames giant also said that it intends to build parental controls into the DSi. Because each region has its own age limits set by different, independent bodies, Nintendo said it believes a console region lockdown is necessary.
The DSi is backwardly compatible with software designed for the DS, but it’s worth noting that the DSi region-lock won’t apply to DS titles.
Nintendo’s DSi is expected to be unveiled in the UK next year.
COMMENTS
It's in the firmware...
Given how the original DS' firmware could be completely re-flashed with a elaborately crafted "circuit closer" and flash cart, I'd say it won't be long before those "do-it-yourself firmware region changer carts", complete with illegally-ripped firmware from DSis of each region, starts appearing in markets where parallel imports are illegal, which will then probably be shipped elsewhere.
Don't get me wrong, I love the DS. I even have a Pink DS Lite. And I have applauded Nintendo in the past when it turned out that the PSP was indeed region-locked after all (even though it was up to the publisher to decide if they want to implement it, and in the end just a handful of crappy EA-published games- no surprise there, eh?- and all those movie UMDs most never cared about used it). but now it's sad to see the Big N destroying the handheld market they have built up.
Skull and swords. It's not about piracy, but choice of software, especially in countries where Nintendo has no presence.
What? Is this a joke?
"the PSP managed to survive this so long as it was so notoriously difficult and user unfriendly to run game copies."
Ha. Hahahahahahaha. No, really. This has got to be sarcastic. I've never met a PSP that wasn't softmodded. Not because I'm a dirty pirate, but because it was the only way to play PS1 games on them at first.
People who want to import
You obviously want to import because you're interested in playing actual games. Too bad. You gamers aren't nintendo's core audience anymore. The people they're marketing too nowdays won't look at the internet to check upcoming releases, or whats coming out in japan. They won't hear of most titles until they're out here, so it doesn't matter.
Plus I don't think nintendo have caught on to the fact that punters in the regions they neglect can actually see when titles come out elsewhere and see that they're getting the shaft.
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