Nintendo has issued a statement to CVG to clarify the confusion over the region-based restrictions on the new DSi.
"DSi software (software that is only compatible with DSi) is region locked, eg: European DSi software can only be played on European DSi consoles," a Nintendo spokesperson has told CVG.
They confirmed that this means BOTH download-able games and future DSi-only cartridge-based games would be region locked.
"Nintendo DS software however is region free so you can play any DS software on DSi from any region. You can also browse the Internet on your DSi wherever you are in the world and exchange your photos with friends from around the world."
This follows a statement from NOA exec VP Cammie Dunanway saying: "I believe that just as you can currently buy a DS in Japan and use it here in the U.S., that you should be able to do that with DSi," as we reported this morning.
Nintendo went on to explain to CVG: "DSi is region locked because DSi embeds net communication functionality within itself and we are intending to provide net services specifically tailored for each region. Also because we are including parental control functionality for Nintendo DSi and each region has its unique age limit made by different independent."
So there you go - DSi-only titles will be locked. Standard DS software won't be. But how many of the DS' future games will be DSi-only? That's the next question...
All those things just seem to be excuses TBH, stuff like that can be built into the firmware.
Its obvious Nintendo just wants to stop people importing meaning that us in Europe are probably going to get a raw deal (yet again).
It is quite surprising that handheld gaming is going to be region locked, especially as all of Nintendo's consoles haven't been and Sony and MS are moving away from region locking in home consoles.
@Colonel Whiskers- I think there are plans for the sale of cartridge based games.
I think i'll stick with my old ds then, there are tons of Japanese only games which i play like srw that with this region lock are impossible on next version of the ds. Not the brightest idea Nintendo.
I think nintendo have just taken the first steps towards pointing the shotgun towards their feet, they picked up when they annouced the DSi and now they look to have loaded it.
ucking arrogant snooker cues like sony over the past few years. For crying out loud, does that mean that europe would be locked out from getting/playing brilliant titles that the Jap and US market gets?
This is terrible. I'm sure this type of behaviour will increase piracy or the people nintendo is trying to stop actually making a killing. Someone will probably create an R4DS style card that bypasses it and thus only the moral do gooders suffer.
If it does happen, i sure hope that there are few dsi games and that the dsi is a massive flop because frankly nintendo is doing something not particulary smart.
i sure hope nintendo aren't being fucking arrogant snooker cues like sony over the past few years. For crying out loud, does that mean that europe would be locked out from getting/playing brilliant titles that the Jap and US market gets?
No, ffs. That is not the case.
You will still be able to import all the games you want. You will still be able to import a DSi early and still play european releases later on in the generation. There's only one problem.
Try reading what's actually going on next time...
Basically, you won't be able to download japanese DSWare games with a European DSi, and vice versa. That's it.
how about you try reading what's going on as well.
They do also mean DSi specific games which will probably mean ones that require the camera an additional feature that the dslite doesn't have. These games then could very well be region locked. As stated by nintendo they mention downloadable games as well as cartridge based ones as well.
how about you try reading what's going on as well.
They do also mean DSi specific games which will probably mean ones that require the camera an additional feature that the dslite doesn't have. These games then could very well be region locked. As stated by nintendo they mention downloadable games as well as cartridge based ones as well.
There aren't any plans for them to release DSi specific games at retail, as far as I know. That'd just splinter their demographic.
Why is everyone making a big deal out of this.....
The DSi has an SD card slot...
Does anyone hear the words "homebrew", its a pretty good way to make anything region free.
True but hardly an ideal one in this world of online firmware updates. I've had to take my Wii permanently offline to avoid anyone accidentally updating the firmware thereby rendering my freeloader disk, plus the games I've imported, useless.
Oh dear. It seems that Nintendo has reached the point of popularity that Sony did in the past and EA is doing with Spore. Getting so confident in itself that it's starting to treat it's users with contempt. Again. Come on Nintendo, just because you're making money, it doesn't mean you have to get the whips out again.
how about you try reading what's going on as well.
They do also mean DSi specific games which will probably mean ones that require the camera an additional feature that the dslite doesn't have. These games then could very well be region locked. As stated by nintendo they mention downloadable games as well as cartridge based ones as well.
There aren't any plans for them to release DSi specific games at retail, as far as I know. That'd just splinter their demographic.
well unless they release a camera and sd card reader attatchments for the dslite then yeah they'll be splintering their demographic anyways as A) they won't be allowed to take advantage of the download service and B) any game that requires the camera be it downloadable or retail version won't be compatible.
But clearly you must work for nintendo as you seem to know what they are up to
Yeah but don't forget the lite also needs games so maybe for the time being there will be a couple DSi only games that could impliment the camera etc and then still make the normal DS games that are compatible with each console.
Omg here we go again, @ the people bitching, have you checked it up? It's the downloadable content, don't make a fool of yourselves. Its not like it matters, we'll still get quality stuff, downloadable and in cartridge, people just can't be in peace without bitching... This one guy above saying N's going backwards, etc without even knowing what's going on. CVG write Downloadable content next time to make it specific who knows less bums end up posting. i can't see how this affects though, I mean its the same as VC and wiiware then, seems pretty normal. :S
There is nothing sith the nintendo dsi being region locked. It just makes commercial and management sense to do it this way. I have a more full review on my blog here http://www.nintendodsiconsoles.org.uk
I have a pokemon game and i was wondering if the internet from the dsi could be used to play wifi to another country with a kid with the same game or so? Im getting one so i need to know evrything there is to know
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