Nintendo: DSi is region-locked
by Chris Greenhough 
{ Oct 6th 2008 at 1:30PM }
There are elements of the DSi that are region-free -- you'll be able to surf the 'net wherever you are in the world, exchange photos with friends in other regions, and still play non-local DS games on the DSi -- but it looks like we can forget about importing Japanese DSi software. It simply won't work.
Nintendo's messenger says this is because the DSi "embeds net communication functionality within itself" and provides "net services specifically tailored for each region." The fact that each region has unique age limits is also mentioned. What a thoroughly depressing start to the week! We're off for coffee and extra donuts.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
torokun @ Oct 6th 2008 1:59PM
BOO~
igorponweed @ Oct 6th 2008 6:35PM
You just lost some serious monies. CURSE YOOOOOOOOOU!
Zealot @ Oct 6th 2008 2:00PM
Boo to you, Nintendo, and your irrational, anti-competitive policies. You're only going to shoot yourself in the foot by forcing some importers into outright piracy.
I'll also be the first to say that we should all brace ourselves for a region-locked DS2, whenever it comes about. After the GBA and DS being region-free, there's no way that this move is just because of some strange hardware anomaly that's going to go away with the next iteration.
RupeeClock @ Oct 6th 2008 2:01PM
To be fair, I'm not concerned that DSi games and DSi downloads are region locked, I'm thankful that all my existing and future DS games will NOT be region locked.
This puts my mind at ease. :)
Schnuff @ Oct 6th 2008 2:05PM
Boykott. Outright. Just canceled my purchase-plan. Just *ß?" yourself Nintendo. I'm sick wid it.
Damian @ Oct 6th 2008 2:15PM
I simply can't fathom why anybody would want one of these whom already owns the DSLite .
A cheap camera and built in snail browser .
Fair enough for people who have never had one but I don't get all the excitement for a tiny upgrade .
People are so excited that i originally thought this was an outright replacement ie DS 2 or whatever the next Nintendo handheld will be called .
Tyrran @ Oct 6th 2008 2:17PM
I'm honestly quite disappointed and disgusted with this move by Nintendo. One of the great things about the handheld generation (at least in regards to Nintendo) was that the lack of region locking actually encouraged more sales of the handheld. People were apt to pay silly amounts to import the games that didn't come over instead of merely downloading the rom and playing it on their computer. Despite the prevailing elements of flash cards everywhere, the DS has continued to do fantastic, and this locking with the DSi is a screaming, flailing step in the opposite direction. If anything, I feel like Nintendo is now openly coaxing people to try and find an exploit within the new built-in SD card in order to experience games that are not legally released in their area. Hell, I *bought* copies of Ouendan and Mother 3 because I have the option to play them on my system. Now it feels like the only thing I can do is either a.) buy two systems or b.) pray for more games to be released in the US.
Shame, Nintendo. For shame.
Almadi @ Oct 6th 2008 2:40PM
So Nintendo have taken pity on the PSP and are adding handicaps to their systems now?
Jordan @ Oct 6th 2008 2:54PM
O...O...
OUUUUUUUUUENDAAAAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!
KirbyMeister @ Oct 6th 2008 3:03PM
The more I hear about this DSi the less I like it. It's not compatible with all DS games, and they're planning DSi-only games (outside of the DSi-shop) which is just going to fracture Nintendo's handheld base making us decide between two different, largely intersecting but still somewhat separate, pools of software.
The thing was already small enough; they didn't need to make it any smaller. All signs point to the DSi being a quick attempt at curbing piracy, imports, and homebrew; the three things that console manufacturers hate since it ruins their business model of charging developers for protection against piracy and the global market.
Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Oct 6th 2008 3:04PM
LOL. Region locking in this age is hilarious.
Can't wait for R4/M3/Cyclo people to crack DSi - then I might consider buying it.
What else can one want if s/he lives in Europe? The region, most hated (and reaped off) by Nintendo...
Kefka @ Oct 6th 2008 9:21PM
It's kinda sad - the DSi seems to be Nintendo's answer to the PSP - a handheld that you need to hack the crap out of before it's any good!
aj @ Oct 7th 2008 2:46AM
....but the PSP doesn't have region locks.
I know NA PSP's say "region 1" on them, but you can pop any UMD in and play it, European, Japanese, or Norte Americano.
So what's the deal with the DSi going lock-out?
FantomRedux @ Oct 6th 2008 3:08PM
OK, now I'm DEFINITLY waiting until someone porves flash cards still work.
Damn you Nintendo, I was gonna go legit too T_T
Kimiko @ Oct 6th 2008 3:31PM
Games being region free was one of the best features of the DS.
Dawn their oily hides!
scissors125 @ Oct 6th 2008 3:34PM
Well, it looks like Nintendo isn't getting my hard earned money now.
Well, at least the Wii has some strong titles coming up.
RootiePatootie @ Oct 6th 2008 3:39PM
I've been reading all I can find about the DSi and all kinds of comments, etc. etc. because I was, AT FIRST, really excited by it all. Finally though, with this latest news, I'm ready to say something and that is this: BAD move, Nintendo, BAD. In fact, with every new bit of info I read I became less and less excited by the DSi.
All the things mentioned above and more are reasons I'm fast losing interest. And I fully agree that this latest bit of news will possibly push the pirate market harder to find ways to do what they do so well.
A couple things that I particularly am not impressed with is making the device smaller. I'm a female but I'm not one with tiny hands and I've found that in the almost year I've had my DS Lite that it is painful to use at times and I keep going back to my dimmer screen DS "Phat" because of that. Also, a 3 mega pixal camera is crapola in this day and age, certainly NOT something to get excited about IMO. All in all I'm really feeling that this is, as someone above said, just a "filler" for the time between the DS and whatever comes next. Bah!
Anyway... my $1.02 worth. I'll keep reading about this device but at this point I've zero intent in buying one and will wait and see if they come up with something REALLY exciting with a DS2 or whatever they'll be calling it.
db73 @ Oct 6th 2008 3:43PM
Well I might have considered a DSi on import if I had actually decided to buy one. But that's obviously gone for a burton now!
Man, this is really dissapointing news. In the past I've bought games from the States (I'm in the UK) so I don't have to wait forever for them to come out over here. I'm happy to do that but I won't be able to with the DSi. So what's the alternative? That would be pirated games I guess. Cracked to run on any DSi.
I felt Nintendo where really moving things forward with the region free DS. We live in a Global market/economy so why the hell shouldn't we have games from anywhere in the World if we choose? C'mon Nintendo it's 2008 FFS! What is this shit!? Your going backwards with this idea.
ELightshow @ Oct 6th 2008 3:55PM
That sucks. Region free makes things so much easier. Who cares if I want to import a couple games, it's not like putting a region lock is going to discourage piracy. So whats the point?
--
www.Twentysack.com
Lanceh @ Oct 6th 2008 4:10PM
So it's just DSi software? Hasn't put me off then if I can still play JUS and Ouendan on it.
gary yo @ Oct 6th 2008 4:25PM
there is only one thing left to do...
... to hack the dsi and prove to nintendo that we are ready to go to extreme measures to un region lock our dsis
trickycoolj @ Oct 6th 2008 4:38PM
I experienced the glory of the DS region free capability this summer in Germany. I borrowed a copy of (shudder) Nintendogs from my 7 year old cousin to see what it was all about and was shocked that it was in English. Not exactly a simple game for a 7 year old to be trying in her 3rd and limited language. Then she explained to me, no you're wrong it's in German. Turns out, I had no idea the region encoding within our DS' told the game what language to play in! Not only that, but I picked up her saved game in English where she left off in German. The big kicker was Animal Crossing over WiFi. 3 of us played, 2 German DS' and carts one English (US) and we all played simultaneously. They visited my town and saw Lalaland in German while I saw it all in English, I visited their town on the German game and saw it all in English. Brilliant engineering! Not like when I was a kid and bought classic GB games that had to have a language selection screen.
Nintendo was greedy to put in region locks... they just don't want all the European tourists I see in GameStop in downtown Seattle buying DS' at half price to what they are in Europe. With the exchange rate they pay 80 Euros vs. 140 Euros. There's a reason I saw literal mountains of DS' and Wiis in the middle of all the electronics stores in Germany. No one wants to pay that much.
Oh and the PSP is region free except for UMD movies that aren't really being produced anymore.
HairyBalls @ Oct 6th 2008 4:39PM
Isn't DSWare the games you download for the DSi...
Gennataos @ Oct 6th 2008 5:22PM
The rampant negativity which accompanies virtually every DSi post here is disappointing. I don't understand why people are taking the DSi as some sort of personal affront. Nothing has changed about your current DS experience, continue to enjoy it as you always have. It should also be noted that just about every negative post is rife with blanket assumptions, misinformation and outright hyperbole. No one knows what the system can/will actually do. Can't people save their bile for when the thing is actually released?
I can certainly understand importers being disappointed. What I can't understand is the sense of entitlement people possess. Just because you can't get games in the timely manner in which you would like, that doesn't give you the right to be a thief. Yes, that's what you are, a despicable thief.
Almadi @ Oct 6th 2008 5:54PM
eh?
When you buy a Nintendo system, you buy into Nintendo itself. You are basically a manager at Nintendo.
The DS is your employee. It started as a fat, dim, bloke.
When that employee shed the pounds, got a shiny facelift, and become brighter and more energetic. You were pleased.
But after a couple of years, you expect the employee to improve.
Instead, he/she says that they will not deal with international operations (region lock), will drop all activites relating to archives (GBA), and above that, asks for a %30 raise (%50) based on an obscure skill that isn't required (camera)
I would be upset. I expect more from my little white collar worker.
Jenni @ Oct 6th 2008 6:23PM
Importers aren't upset about not getting games quicker - they're upset about the games they won't be getting at all. There are a lot of quality Japanese DS games that aren't localized for releases outside of Japan. This will likely happen with the DSi as well.
Region-locking means that people will be limited in what DSi games they will be able to play, without purchasing a whole extra system.
People should have the right to enjoy games, no matter where in the world they live. If they have the money and are willing to pay, should be able to import games and play whatever title they want on their consoles.
RootiePatootie @ Oct 7th 2008 2:46PM
Gennataos, I think you're missing the point of the original post by the blogger, it was about the DSi being region locked. Thus the comments address this topic, not JUST feelings about the DSi in general. Where's the problem with that???? I feel that the other aspects of the DSi are being mentioned in this thread, positive ones and negative ones, because this announcement that the DSi will be region locked is pretty much the icing on the cake for those that feel that the DSi just isn't quite the upgrade they'd like.
Since I posted yesterday in this thread I thought more about this whole situation and it really seems to me that the idea of region locking is really shooting the DSi in the foot. Not only will it open up even more the challenge to those that want to and most likely will crack and pirate but it most likely will end up with folks who would otherwise not consider using pirated games doing so. If you want to play a game and you just can NEVER legally purchase it, even when you're willing to pay the extra to import it, many will end up going the illegal route.
I remember when I wanted DVDs that were not available for my region locked DVD player. What did I do? I immediately looked for a way to hack my player...and found a way. Now I don't need to worry about that because my newer DVD player is regionless plus converts to NTSC (yup, I'm in the US and thus need Never The Same Color). DVD manufacturers progressed as new models came out. And many DVDs are also regionless although not as many as I'd like (meaning, ALL of them :)
Sure, most all of us are very happy with our DS phat and DS Lite but we're also, if everyone is at least a bit like myself, gadget and tech lovers and always interested in the next best thing. Especially when it comes to our beloved DS and Nintendo!
chao1212 @ Oct 6th 2008 5:25PM
im sure hackers'll have EVERYTHING you can do on DSi on normal ds lite. They're good like that
zldaphreek @ Oct 6th 2008 6:01PM
%@&$!!!!!!
Dani @ Oct 7th 2008 4:35AM
oh, well that just aint fair.
First time I was considering importing anything. :(
Gennataos @ Oct 6th 2008 8:27PM
@Almadi - This is an example of the hyperbole I mentioned. You're acting as if your current DS will suddenly metamorphasis into a DSi upon its release, demanding you pay extra for the change. Absolutely nothing is changing for you or your DS. You don't have to buy the DSi. Your current DS isn't losing anything. It's still region free, it still has its GBA port, it doesn't have a camera which you don't want and you've already paid for it.
@Jenni - This is an example of the sense of entitlement I mentioned. It's a bonus that the DS is region free and you can import games. Why should region free be considered the standard? Would it be nice if it was region free? Yeah. Should that be expected? I don't see why.
chibi_wings @ Oct 7th 2008 10:18AM
It is not so much about a sense of entitlement, but discrimination. Why should people outside of a certain region get discriminated against, just because they live in that region. Everyone should be able to play whatever they like on ANY DSi, not just forced to play the games from that region. It really boils down on how you see it, and I see it as discriminatory. It's not fair that a European gamer has to pay twice as much, and it's not fair that Western gamers won't be allowed to play games because they are from Japan. Your twisting the perspective; it's not so much an entitlement as feeling that your being discriminated against just because you live in a certain part of the world. I would understand region-locking IF world trading and globalization were not a part of reality, but it's just ridiculous to exclude a region from certain services because they live in that region. Is not that what we have been striving for in a liberal democratic society? Personal liberty, and the abolishment of discrimination. Next thing you will be saying is that Rights and freedoms because rights and freedoms are entitlements, we shouldn't expect them. Very backwards way of thinking.
MechaBouncer @ Oct 7th 2008 12:07PM
What's more, region unlocked IS the standard when it comes to handhelds. This goes back to the original Game Boy for crying out loud! Every Nintendo handheld console has been region free regardless of what the home consoles are. Even other manufacturers have made their handhelds region free. The only exceptions are really the WonderSwan (which was pretty much Japanese-only) and the Sega Nomad (since it's the Genesis/Mega Drive crammed into a handheld, so there are issues between NTSC and PAL games). So it has a well-established history and the arbitrary removal of it is a mistake.
People travel and they take their handhelds with them. Should they go to another country, they should be able to try and buy the games if they'd like. Some may never be released in their own countries. Either nobody will license them because they aren't mainstream enough, or worse still, contain characters and IP licensed by several different companies that makes trying to license the game a nightmare. Jump Ultimate Stars is one of those games and I love it! I would hate it if more games like it were released and I couldn't play them because of the misfortune of where I live. Especially so when I've been able to up until this time and it's now been taken away.
The reason this is such a hot issue is that it could be the way Nintendo goes with all their future handhelds. Even if current DS games will still work, the idea that future titles may not (even if it's only downloadable ones) is a bad thing. It would be even worse if the next DS or GB was region locked. That's what really worries me.
To think that Sony's PlayStation Store is a far better implementation because you can actually add accounts from other regions and buy and download software. It's not ideal, but it's by far the most open and useful. Nintendo is drunk on their current success and needs to wise up before they start alienating their fanbase again. If they keep this up, I'm liable to give the good ol' one-fingered salute to Appletendo.
Nelf @ Oct 7th 2008 2:09PM
I disagree that region-free is a "bonus". It's a feature. If the next generation of a technology lacks a desirable feature that the current generation has, then that's a step backwards.
I've decided not to buy a DSi, based on this development. I'm writing Nintendo to let them know.
RootiePatootie @ Oct 7th 2008 3:06PM
Gennataos.... you just do NOT get it, IMO, and your remarks about entitlement regarding the desire to see the new DSi regionless are rather rude. Again, IMO. I do not see wanting a NEW device to at least be as accessible as the old device as having a sense of entitlement on my part. No, it's wanting the NEW device to keep up with the times and be accessible to everyone world wide. As others have noted, the world is smaller than ever and many of the current and future DSxxxx owners will want to have the choice of playing games on their locally purchased device from anywhere in the world. Especially those that travel a lot, live abroad part of the time and those like myself that enjoy playing games from a different country.
In the fast paced world of technology today we, the consumer, prefer and yes, have come to expect (perhaps feel entitled would suit you more although those ARE two different things) the money we spend on a device to be spent on something up to date, maybe even "cutting edge", and very flexible within its use. When a company comes out with a new version of a very successful device one hopes and yes, usually expects that the new device will be MORE flexible rather than less. In this case it would seem that the fact, and it IS a fact not speculation, that the new DSi will not be regionless irks current DS owners and IMO rightly so. It's sad that Nintendo, for whatever their reasons, is going backward in this part of the new device rather than status quo or if possible, forward. As to the reasons, yes, those are speculations, rumors, gossip, whatevers but I highly doubt we'll ever truly know WHY they're choosing to go this route.
We can hope, and I'm the first to admit this is pie in the sky thinking, that if we speak to Nintendo with our $$$ and not purchase the DSi, that they just MIGHT figure out why and change things. But I highly doubt it. Our next best hope is that they realize the error of their ways and make whatever comes after the DSi regionless once again.
mko @ Oct 6th 2008 9:12PM
Coming soon: nintendo dsi region unlocked custom firmware
Synch @ Oct 6th 2008 11:01PM
=/ Good to know my DS Lite won't be obsolete anytime soon. I'm steadfastly against region locking; it's one reason why I'm starting to NOT play video games anymore. If the DSi is truly locked and my DS happens to die one day...
Because I'm a legit player...
Consider it the end of my gaming career. I refuse to deal with it anymore.
And we wonder why foreign policy and international relations are so bad.
Allengator @ Oct 7th 2008 12:27AM
I loved how I could, without fear, get Ouendan 1 and 2 to work perfectly with the DS lite I have. I have been super stoked, thinking Nintendo was thinking about the gamer again, but when I heard about this AND the Nintendo points being nontransferrable, I am very quickly losing my newly refound patience with Nintendo.
I was going to be one of those people who were giong to buy the DSi on release day, but after hearing how I won't be able to play some of the awesome Japanese imports, my enthusiasm just plummeted. Worse part is that I bet this will be true for any future handheld generation, the regions being locked.
Way to go Nintendo.
Alan @ Oct 7th 2008 1:49AM
To all the people who are complaining that you cannot play imported games, stop complaining and read again. It clearly says that the SOFTWARE is region locked not the games.
"and still play non-local DS games on the DSi" which is said. So that means you still can play games from other countries but cannot download the new software (Probably updates to the photo editing it has or something like that).
RootiePatootie @ Oct 7th 2008 3:13PM
Alan.... I just don't read it that way myself but boy, I sure hope that at least games from any country are playable on a DSi purchased anywhere. I didn't see your comment before I posted any of mine, for some reason, but I'm going to try to clarify this if only for my own needs.
All that said I'm still not sure I'd upgrade to the DSi unless I find some super compelling reason. The browser idea has me intrigued but I'd have to really do a try before I buy with that. The Opera browser setup Nintendo sold for the Lite last year was a horrible mess, IMO. Anyway..... I'm sure we all hope you're right :)
Boy... I don't post for a long time but this particular topic about the new DSi really got me stirred up and horribly verbose. :-/
Honza @ Oct 7th 2008 4:52AM
Currently we have two DS-Lites. One turqoise (my son's) and one cobalt/black (my own). The turqoise we bought in England for about $180, my own imported from U.S. for standard $130. In my home country, Czech Republic, DS Lite costs about $230. Same hardware, nearly twice as much...
In my comment for "Will you get it" article, I wrote that I like the new DSi features, but hoped for more. I also said that if some nice limited edition comes out, I might swap DS Lite for DSi.
Limited editions are so rare in Europe, and especially in our country. And I just don't want the ordinary design that everyone else has. Even now I have design that is not released for Europe. You may consider it strange, but design is important for me.
As DSi will be region-locked, this makes it worse. Importing it from US under such conditions? No - I probably could not play DSi multiplayer with other people here. Buy it ĺocally for double the price? Don't want that. And it's not so easy to import it from England, as their shops usually don't send hardware outside their mainland, so it would be just in case I would travel there for some other reason.
And the official reasons for region-locking? Mockery. You can easily do parental control and such things without hardware region-locks. Just lets user set the country/region in the options if you really want it. Region-locking is just a cash-cow.
Bad, Nintendo. You wanted to make more money from me not to import my next console from U.S.A. Well, seems I will probably not buy it at all then, so you will not earn more, but in fact you will earn less. I will not buy DSi and I will not buy DSi games...
What can make Nintendo revise region-lock policy? If DSi is commercially unsuccessful. If people don't buy it, especially in Europe (and probably continue buing DS Lite, if still produced), they may notice what they did wrong.
shaffy @ Oct 7th 2008 6:22AM
great I just sold my DS >_
ryan @ Oct 7th 2008 8:36AM
FlashMe
Ameer @ Oct 7th 2008 8:40AM
Well although I wont buy the DSi because a camera and a browser isnt much of an attracton for me.. But its stupid to region lock it... I live in south east asia.. specifically Pakistan.. what do I do since nintendo has ignored my country for the past 2 decades..
Eponasoft @ Oct 7th 2008 10:05AM
Hrm...yet another reason why this is not worth buying. The normal DS Lite works just fine; the DSi really doesn't bring anything new to the table except more gimmicks and fewer real capabilities.
MarkShark @ Oct 7th 2008 11:22AM
Okay, glad I read into this. I'll still be able to play Ouendan on it, so there's still a chance of me getting this at some point.
RootiePatootie @ Oct 7th 2008 2:51PM
I'll add a PS to my last comment: I find this region locking personally unacceptable because, like my DVD collection, I enjoy games from another country in another language. They help me with my second language and the hubby likes to be able to play in his native tongue. I'm sure I'm not the only one who will thus find the region locking a negative to the DSi and hopes that not ALL the new, really good games coming out will be DSi ONLY. I've no desire to buy a DSi in that country and only use it to play games imported from that country, plus try to live with that handheld in my country (US). UGH!
Riis @ Oct 7th 2008 6:56PM
Well, there goes my happy thoughts of Ouendan 3 on my future DSi. ._.;;
Matdredalia @ Oct 7th 2008 7:19PM
What in the hell are they thinking? Are they TRYING to lose money?
First they get rid of the GBA slot, which basically makes EVERY hardware accessory ever made for the DS completely useless.
Then they bring in region-locking?
Seriously, this thing is not going to print money the way the DS Lite has. They're screwing themselves.
Oh look, they're making a new Nintendo 64...
KaBob799 @ Oct 8th 2008 2:23PM
How many DSi games are they even gonna make that aren't gonna be training games? Unless they wait forever to release the DS2 I don't think there's gonna be that many games at all.
Did they even confirm that DSi games outside of DSWare were gonna be released? I never saw it mentioned but maybe I missed it. The Virtual Console is region locked also so that's not a surprise.