3DS region-locked - (semi) confirmed

According to a report by VG247, Nintendo has confirmed the Nintendo 3DS to be indeed region-locked.

Our colleagues from VG247 are claiming to have received an official statement from Nintendo that their upcoming Nintendo 3DS will be region-locked indeed. According to their posting, Nintendo confirmed that there will be three versions: Japanese, American and European/Australian. The reason given for the locks rely in hardware (although the report continues about firm- and software): "different languages, age rating requirements and parental control functionality as well as to ensure compliance with local laws in each region. Nintendo 3DS also offers network services specifically tailored for each region."

The full report can be read over at VG247.

Source: VG247

Share on Twitter or Facebook

Comments

• 

  I thought that guy quit the entire scene? @LeSomeGuy: [i]unless[/i] your altered firmware could disable that ;-)

  Dennis, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
• 

  This sound like a challenge for Waninkoko. 3DS was said to be unhackable, Capcom applauded Nintendo for their effort. Since 3DS perform automatic update every night, there is very little anyone can do to hack the system.

  LeSomeGuy, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
• 

  Yeah- with "legal" reasons to open up the console we are going to see a bigger boom onto it- as well as more ilegal activity.

  Trent, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
• 

  I think we were all expecting this though.

  Andrew, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
• 

  I think this might actually invite more hackers/crackers to take a look at the handheld. :/

  Dennis, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
• 

  It's disappointing but I think we all knew it was coming. I did import a few games on the DS and I loved that it wasn't region locked and if I'm honest, if there are some quirky games or even big RPGs which don't make it outside of Japan or America to come to Europe, I can always just import another machine and the games. Always handy having a spare handheld.

  ganepark32, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
• 

  Some? If I read this correctly, it could mean: all.

  Dennis, 30-11--0001 at 00:00
• 

  So some games could be locked, Nintendo don't want to deny anything.

  LeSomeGuy, 30-11--0001 at 00:00