Region Locking On The DSi [Archive]

Psykoboy2

10-06-2008, 10:44 AM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v204/Psykoboy2/region_locking.jpg

Nintendo has confirmed that the new DSi will have a region lock on it. But only for software built specifically for the DSi. This does include games. Nintendo's reasoning behind the lock is because of net communication functionality and some parental controls.

This, of course, means you won't be able to play a Japanese (or European) title on a DSi you buy in the states. The original DS (and DS Lite) along with the different GameBoy iterations were all region free.

So, let's review, they've taken away a bit of the weight, the GBA slot (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=300), the battery life is shorter (http://www.colonyofgamers.com/cogforums/showthread.php?t=320), and now region locked software.

Source - Eurogamer (http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=253920)

quidmonkey

10-06-2008, 10:48 AM

Two Nintendo fails in one day.

pheriannath

10-06-2008, 10:48 AM

I was considering importing this, now I'm just angry.

rein

10-06-2008, 10:50 AM

I went from not interested to mo way in hell. What is happening to Nintendo?

Sandman

10-06-2008, 10:50 AM

I would take a picture of myself banging my head on my desk right now if there weren't so many people around.

That Darn Kat

10-06-2008, 10:50 AM

I still kind of want one. I've been looking to get a different color DS Lite for awhile, but it makes more sense to just stay happy with the white one for awhile and pick up one of these. I wonder how long it will be before it's released in colors other than black or white.

quidmonkey

10-06-2008, 10:52 AM

What is happening to Nintendo?

Re: SNES -> N64 era.

Vyzov

10-06-2008, 10:53 AM

Nintendo's reasoning behind the lock is because of net communication functionality and some parental controls.

What? Because of net communication? I don't see the Internet being region locked! Oh no, I'm communicating with people outside of NA, EVIL!

itchyeyes

10-06-2008, 10:55 AM

I went from not interested to mo way in hell. What is happening to Nintendo?
They're letting their success go to their heads, just like the did after the SNES. They're more focused on milking as much money out of existing products than they are on creating interesting products down the line.

quidmonkey

10-06-2008, 10:55 AM

What? Because of net communication? I don't see the Internet being region locked! Oh no, I'm communicating with people outside of NA, EVIL!

The parental controls is the bigger bullshit, though. Nintendo likes to hide behind it's little Nanny facade. They need to get raped by the gaming media for it.

crazyD

10-06-2008, 10:58 AM

I still haven't heard any confirmation on that shorter battery thing. Sounds like speculation to me.

Doctor Setebos

10-06-2008, 11:01 AM

Next they're going to announce that the first DSi game will be a brand new Terranigma game that will -- once again -- not see the light of day in the US.

TrackZero

10-06-2008, 11:12 AM

The sad part after all the feature stripping, is that they'll probably continue to sell like hotcakes.

crazyD

10-06-2008, 11:15 AM

The sad part after all the feature stripping, is that they'll probably continue to sell like hotcakes.

What feature stripping? I'll give you the gameboy slot, which I am sure a large percentage of DS owners have never used, but that is about it. Battery life, until I see a proper source, is speculation, and region locking is only for software that can only be used on this system, probably just downloadable stuff.

What else is missing?

Shadowstorm

10-06-2008, 11:26 AM

All in the name of money.

quidmonkey

10-06-2008, 11:29 AM

All in the name of money.

I think we should dub it, "The Nintendo Bubble". Anybody wanna bet on how long before it all comes crashing down?

Doctor Setebos

10-06-2008, 11:31 AM

I think we should dub it, "The Nintendo Bubble". Anybody wanna bet on how long before it all comes crashing down?They second they announce the Wii system successor.

Check that: the second the public finds out about the Wii system successor.

cppcrusader

10-06-2008, 11:47 AM

I still don't know what to think about the DSi. It just has that GBA Micro feeling around it for some reason.

itchyeyes

10-06-2008, 11:51 AM

It just has that GBA Micro feeling around it for some reason.
I think that's more or less the idea. It's a last hurrah to keep DS sales strong for the next 18-24 months before Nintendo has to finally release a new handheld system.

rein

10-06-2008, 12:08 PM

Re: SNES -> N64 era.

I was thinking more along the lines of portable systems.

Disgustipated

10-06-2008, 12:16 PM

Fail. DS Lite remains the DS of choice.

Morangie

10-06-2008, 12:48 PM

Did someone give Yamauchi his old job back?

TheFlyingOrc

10-06-2008, 01:15 PM

Really? Region locking is a big deal to you people. Region locking?

The only thing I care about is the battery life, and that's just rumored.

Psykoboy2

10-06-2008, 01:17 PM

Really? Region locking is a big deal to you people. Region locking?

I'm surprised that surprises you.

itchyeyes

10-06-2008, 01:19 PM

Really? Region locking is a big deal to you people. Region locking?

The only thing I care about is the battery life, and that's just rumored.
I don't think it would be such a big issue if it weren't for the rumors that we won't be seeing the DSi in the US until late 2009. It seems like a lot of people had started planning to import when they heard that and the news today of region locking is quite a let down for a lot of them.

Ancalagon

10-06-2008, 01:29 PM

Remember guys, this is all part of the plan to appeal to hardcore gamers, so expect a new Animal Crossing and Nintendogs game to be released with the DSi. You should all be grateful.

crazyD

10-06-2008, 01:52 PM

Really? Region locking is a big deal to you people. Region locking?

The only thing I care about is the battery life, and that's just rumored.

Right, and it's not even as if the entire system is region locked. Just DSI specific content, which probably just means downloads. You can still import your DS games, no problem.

phoenyx

10-06-2008, 02:21 PM

Have we figured out what market they are trying to reach with this? Clearly I can't be people that already have a DS. They are taking everything away.

crazyD

10-06-2008, 02:27 PM

Have we figured out what market they are trying to reach with this? Clearly I can't be people that already have a DS. They are taking everything away.

One (confirmed) thing. They are only taking away one (confirmed) thing, and that is the GBA slot. They are not taking away region free, it just won't work for the NEW content that will not be usable on existing DSs.

I already have a Lite, and I am potentially interested. Downloadable content sounds great, thinner with bigger screens sounds great.

Sl1pstream

10-06-2008, 02:31 PM

Really? Region locking is a big deal to you people. Region locking?

The only thing I care about is the battery life, and that's just rumored.

http://www.4bf.eu/afbeeldingen/europe_map.JPG

Hi, have we met?

Not buying this one then.

Wilkz07

10-06-2008, 02:34 PM

They second they announce the Wii system successor.

Check that: the second the public finds out about the Wii system successor.

Which is Wii HD... isn't that coming out next year...

crazyD

10-06-2008, 02:36 PM

Which is Wii HD... isn't that coming out next year...

Wasn't that just an unsubstantiated rumor? I head nothing about a confirmation, and it seems really likely that they would announce a new console when their existing one is doing insanely well.

Doctor Setebos

10-06-2008, 02:44 PM

Which is Wii HD... isn't that coming out next year...There's a rumor of one coming in 2011.

Samitchdoo

10-06-2008, 03:50 PM

Unless one of the new features (camera, MP3, downloads) is positively fantastic, I just don't see any point to getting a DSi. I'm quite happy with the Lite for now.

Savok

10-06-2008, 05:59 PM

Really? Region locking is a big deal to you people. Region locking?

The only thing I care about is the battery life, and that's just rumored.
You're a yank I take it? You didn't wait 10 years for a local Final Fantasy Tactics release? You still aren't waiting for Chrono Trigger after 12 years?

Fuck you, and fuck Nintendo.

crazyD

10-06-2008, 06:00 PM

You're a yank I take it? You didn't wait 10 years for a local Final Fantasy Tactics release? You still aren't waiting for Chrono Trigger after 12 years?

Fuck you, and fuck Nintendo.

Look, the DS games are still region free! It's only spe... aww, fuck it. No one reads what I post.

Doctor Setebos

10-06-2008, 07:34 PM

whisper, whisper DS ..... mumble, mumble region, mumble....See! Even crazyD hates this whole "region-lock" fiasco. Proof! ;)

Actually, according to this Tiny Cartridge article (http://tinycartridge.com/post/53337770/5-questions-posed-by-the-dsi-region-lock-statement), we may indeed have nothing to worry about as far as region-locked DS gaming is concerned:

* Does this refer to DSWare only or to DSi retail games as well?

I’d expect DSWare to be region-locked— all console download services are, if not locked, designed to discourage region-swapping. But retail games? No Nintendo handheld has ever been region-locked. Of course, that leads to the question:

* Will there even be DSi-specific cartridges?

Cammie Dunaway said there wouldn’t be in an interview with Wired, but didn’t sound as if she had been specifically informed. Certainly some developers will want to make use of the camera and onboard storage for their retail games, and Nintendo doesn’t seem to mind splitting the market in such a way, making some software unusable on some hardware. Just ask Activision.So, the answer, obviously, is a very solid and confident maybe.

I feel much better now.

boratika

10-06-2008, 07:44 PM

So, the answer, obviously, is a very solid and confident maybe.

Man, that makes me feel really freakin'...

...wait. How are you suggesting I feel?

KingGorilla

10-06-2008, 08:55 PM

Seems Nintendo did some of you a favor. It kept a few from just pissing away 190 bucks for a mediocre camera and the prospect of having to suffer through yet another nintendo "interface" to get games.

Savok

10-07-2008, 12:29 AM

Look, the DS games are still region free! It's only spe... aww, fuck it. No one reads what I post.
I don't care, it's a toxic mentality that I'm fucking suck of. It's 2000 and fucking 8 and we still have the "PAL" and "NTSC" excuse which hasn't been remotely valid for at least 5 years.

It's funny this shit always appears when someone is successful, yet when doom is coming it's all "hey, we're you friends, we love everyone equally" which Sony pulled with the PS3. Too little, too late for those assholes.

crazyD

10-07-2008, 12:48 AM

That... sounds like an overreaction for region locked downloadable content.

Widgetcraft

10-07-2008, 12:52 AM

My guess is that this is referring to downloadable apps. Much in the same way that you can't download VC games released in Japan onto a US Wii, you won't be able to download Japanese DSi software in the US. Just a guess.

Savok

10-07-2008, 01:02 AM

Which is bullshit in itself. I say this even though through some insane twist of reality Australia gets most of that shit a week before you guys do.

All regions do is create pirates, mod-chips are 100% legal in this country for fuck's sake, and until these assholes come to senses, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Craigtheplague

10-07-2008, 02:10 AM

There has to be an explanation behind this besides greed. The GBA and DS were extremely successful without the region lock on their games. I have this feeling like others have said, the DSi's games will be download only; at worse, you won't be able to pass your games to a friend who has a DSi from another region.

I think Australians may be screwed by this. With download only games, they have no option to import and have to conform to the wait for games because all publishers just love to delay the release of games by 3 months in Australia for no reason.

Savok

10-07-2008, 02:34 AM

Yes, DS releases in Australia.

http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/ds/data/934287.html

Look at the dates.

We still don't have a local release of Etrian Odyssey 2.

Craigtheplague

10-07-2008, 02:39 AM

Yes, DS releases in Australia.

http://www.gamefaqs.com/portable/ds/data/934287.html

Look at the dates.

We still don't have a local release of Etrian Odyssey 2.

Your example is an obscure JRPG which always takes forever to make it outside of Japan. Rock Band is the perfect example. Successful game in NA, but takes its sweet time to get down under.

Savok

10-07-2008, 03:01 AM

Your example is an obscure JRPG which always takes forever to make it outside of Japan. Rock Band is the perfect example. Successful game in NA, but takes its sweet time to get down under.
Outside Japan nothing, it took a year to make the jump from the US to here. Same language, same everything.

Raen

10-07-2008, 04:15 AM

I never did get why it took so long for stuff to make it Australia. My theory has always been that pirates were taking the cargo ships out before they could reach a safe port. I also never really got why it takes so long to go from the US to the UK. They always decide we should have the same release as Europe, even though we require pretty much zero langauge changes.

mister slim

10-07-2008, 05:05 AM

Actually, according to this Tiny Cartridge article (http://tinycartridge.com/post/53337770/5-questions-posed-by-the-dsi-region-lock-statement), we may indeed have nothing to worry about as far as region-locked DS gaming is concerned:

So, the answer, obviously, is a very solid and confident maybe.

I feel much better now.

I doubt there will be DSi-specific cartridges. We may see DS cartridges with some bonus features that are only supported on a DSi, but the DS market is too huge at this point for developers to cut it out.

I never did get why it took so long for stuff to make it Australia. My theory has always been that pirates were taking the cargo ships out before they could reach a safe port. I also never really got why it takes so long to go from the US to the UK. They always decide we should have the same release as Europe, even though we require pretty much zero langauge changes.

Clearly it's lazy Australian dockworkers, too busy putting shrimp on the barbie or something. Etrian Odyssey 2 is probably just sitting down at the port.

Savok

10-07-2008, 05:12 AM

Clearly it's lazy Australian dockworkers, too busy putting shrimp on the barbie or something. Etrian Odyssey 2 is probably just sitting down at the port.
Funny you should mention lazy dockworkers, them being run by a literally communist union back in the day kinda fucked us for all sorts of things.

kropotkin

10-07-2008, 06:03 AM

Region locking is a means by which the evil suit wearing execs of film, music and video games seek to control certain territories. They have been doing this since the arrival of VHS video with the PAL and NTSC regions being effectively locked out from one another.

DVD's were only adopted by the film industry once it was clear that a region lock system could be put into place. Europe and Australia has Region 2 whilst North America has Region 1. What the film industry fails to realise is that many people have region free DVD players to get over this hurdle.

Back to the DSi region lock issue I think it's the same deal with the VC. Europe and Japan has a great deal more content to download than the US for Wii. No idea why Europe gets treated so well but we do. I think it's the C64 games we get that make up the numbers over North American VC releases.

Is it something to get narky about? Not so much in my view. No one really squeals over the lack of VC releases when compared to other territories too much over and above traditional releases. Take Professor Layton and the Curious Village. This is a game that has been out for many months in both the US and Japan but is not set to appear in PAL territories for another 6 weeks or so. Localisation is to blame apparently. Are people mad about this? Pretty much as I know it's a good game. If you really want it you could import and it would run fine on a DS Lite or DSi.

On a final note I do think we need to calm down a bit. I remember back in 1997 when Zelda was being sold for £60 and was released a year after the Japanese got it. This price was set just as the European Trade Commission slapped a $142 Million lawsuit against Nintendo for illegal price fixing. Thankfully things have progressed somewhat since then. Although you wouldn't know that if yuou saw the price of Rock Band in Europe....

Savok

10-07-2008, 06:33 AM

mister slim

10-07-2008, 06:59 AM

And you guys got that damned crazy Tingle game, the one where he comes out as the gay Wario or whatever.

Savok

10-07-2008, 07:03 AM

Actually there's no Tingle in Australia either.

kropotkin

10-08-2008, 06:02 AM

Mate, Australia isn't region 2, we're region 4.

That's right, we're lumped in with South America and we don't see shit down here, they completely fucked us. I've been getting a friend of mine to send me shit like Batman Beyond and Batman: TAS (we only ever got season 1, none of the others) because it just doesn't exist here.

Hilariously, we have Professor Layton, had it for ages now. This is how fucked up releases are.

EDIT: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA, oh if I ever get an ounce of power there's going to be hell to pay for some of these assholes. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvd_regions#Region_Code_Enhanced)

Is it really? Well maybe it's because the film and video game industry still think you're a prison colony or something. I dunno. Just saying....I'll shut up.

As for the Tingle game yes we do have indeed access to the most overtly effeminate game Nintendo have ever released. Makes you wonder what they really think of us Europeans. I personally think it's payback for that lawsuit I mentioned above they lost...