Nintendo confirms DSi software is region locked, 'new' Friend Code system

Sorry importers, the DSi is not for you, as Nintendo confirmed today that its portable update is region locked and will implement new "parental control functionality."

Nintendo confirms DSi is region locked

We are allergic to importers

Nintendo confirmed Monday that software created specifically for the DSi will be region-locked by major territories, with Europe, North America and Japan receiving software that only works with their specific regions.

This marks a contrast with previous Nintendo portable hardware, like the Game Boy and original DS, which both worked just fine for importers who craved Japanese titles while living in the U.S. or Europe.

Nintendo's rational for the change was due to the fact that the "DSi embeds net communication functionality within itself and we are intending to provide net services specifically tailored for each region," said a Nintendo rep in an interview with Eurogamer.

Nintendo's family-friendly street cred was also at stake, apparently, with the company adding that new "parental control functionality" for the portable is different for each region. If you translated that into meaning some kind of new Friend Codes, you'd probably be right. Nintendo never specifically mentioned the term, however.

Please note too that these changes apply only to the DLC DSi-only content that Nintendo revealed alongside the portable last week. All existing DS software will remain region free, as will Internet browsing on the DSi's integrated browser. Photo sharing will also be enabled on a worldwide basis.

Comments [14]

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goldberg_evan

Region locked I can understand, but parental controls? Is there any games that get the mature rating on the DS? (besides the new GTA title that will come out later this year)

bluer57

The DS is so popular that the region lock makes sense. The parental controls feature makes sense when nintendo' wii and DS both aim for such a broad level consumers.

eday_2010

No big deal on either issue. Regular software will still be region free. And parental control makes sense since a lot of parents get their kids' DS systems. While M-rated games are rarem some parents don't want their 11- or 12-year-olds playing Teen-rated games since some are liberally rated and some parents may not find them suitable for their children yet.

rickyraws

Guess they gotta do what they gotta, but it doesn't really bother me since I'm waiting to get it, if anything

PiranhaFish

Oh my god! Here in New Zealand DS games cost $80 even with the currency exchange they should only be a quarter more. Not double the US.

Therefore I import my DS games but not any more by the looks of it!

NinjaCatZ

Oh wow...

Looks like I'm not going to be getting one at least until late next year anyways XD

Probly better off that way.

jstern

The region lock is only for DLC. Gamepro should have put that in the title, you can still import it and play your regular games. The title is extremely misleading.

eday_2010

PiranhaFish wrote:

Oh my god! Here in New Zealand DS games cost $80 even with the currency exchange they should only be a quarter more. Not double the US.

Therefore I import my DS games but not any more by the looks of it!

Did you not read the article? The region lock applies only to downloadable content.

ChokaDaChicken

Parental lock deez , region lock deez , I don't give a crap when it comes out , I'm still gonna get one

VoiceOfReason

PiranhaFish wrote:

Oh my god! Here in New Zealand DS games cost $80 even with the currency exchange they should only be a quarter more. Not double the US.

Therefore I import my DS games but not any more by the looks of it!

Buy a DSi from the same region you get your games from and that will not be an issue.

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