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Nintendo has spoken out about the 3DS's region-locking, explaining the reasoning behind the decision as well as laying out how it will work.
News broke that Nintendo's new handheld would be region-locked last week, and now Nintendo has finally broken its silence to address the issue.
"Nintendo 3DS hardware is available in three versions: Japanese, American and European/Australian," the company said in an official statement, "Nintendo has developed different versions of Nintendo 3DS hardware to take into account different languages, age rating requirements and parental control functionality, as well as to ensure compliance with local laws in each region."
"We want to ensure the best possible gaming experience for our users, and there is the possibility that Nintendo 3DS software sold in one region will not function properly when running on Nintendo 3DS hardware sold in another," continued the statement, "Guidance will appear on every packaging of Nintendo 3DS hardware and the accompanying software. If you are in doubt, Nintendo recommends that you only purchase Nintendo 3DS software in the region where purchased your Nintendo 3DS system."
Until the release of the DSi and DSi XL Nintendo's handhelds have been region free – though in this instance it looks like region locking will be at the discretion of the publisher.
There's still no news of when the 3DS will be launched in North America and Europe, but that's set to change as Nintendo announced the dates in New York and Amsterdam tomorrow.
source
why must there be a region locking between America and Europe?
News broke that Nintendo's new handheld would be region-locked last week, and now Nintendo has finally broken its silence to address the issue.
"Nintendo 3DS hardware is available in three versions: Japanese, American and European/Australian," the company said in an official statement, "Nintendo has developed different versions of Nintendo 3DS hardware to take into account different languages, age rating requirements and parental control functionality, as well as to ensure compliance with local laws in each region."
"We want to ensure the best possible gaming experience for our users, and there is the possibility that Nintendo 3DS software sold in one region will not function properly when running on Nintendo 3DS hardware sold in another," continued the statement, "Guidance will appear on every packaging of Nintendo 3DS hardware and the accompanying software. If you are in doubt, Nintendo recommends that you only purchase Nintendo 3DS software in the region where purchased your Nintendo 3DS system."
Until the release of the DSi and DSi XL Nintendo's handhelds have been region free – though in this instance it looks like region locking will be at the discretion of the publisher.
There's still no news of when the 3DS will be launched in North America and Europe, but that's set to change as Nintendo announced the dates in New York and Amsterdam tomorrow.
source
why must there be a region locking between America and Europe?
