Topic: On DS games, DSi systems and Region Locking...

[UncleBob]

I found something interesting while mining the Nintendo website this morning...

http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/dsi/en_na/faq.jsp#vers

Is the Nintendo DSi internationally compatible?
Because the Nintendo DSi utilizes region encoding, international compatibility is limited.

      DSi Ware games and other downloadable content
      The Nintendo DSi Shop is specific to the region for which the Nintendo DSi system was manufactured. For example, a Japanese system can download DSi Ware games and other software only from the Nintendo DSi Shop for the Japanese region, regardless of where the system is being played.

      Nintendo DSi exclusive game cards
      Nintendo DSi game cards that are only compatible with Nintendo DSi (and not Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite) are region locked. This means Nintendo DSi-specific game cards manufactured for the U.S. market would not work in a system made for another country.

      Nintendo DS / Nintendo DS Lite game cards
      Older Nintendo DS and DS Lite software is region-free, so you can play most of that software on a Nintendo DSi from any region. It's possible, however, that future Nintendo DS software will incorporate region encoding. In these instances, these games would not work in a system made for another country.

Interesting!  I wonder, though - does this mean that future DS titles might be region locked on ALL DS systems, or just DSi systems?  Like, could there come a day when I import a JPN title that won't play on my DSi, but will play on my DSLite?

[KDR_11k]

TBH I think region locking is a situation only resovable by liberal application of a brick to executive faces.

[Nick DiMola]

I'm holding out on a DSi purchase until there is some modding up in there. I want to be able to buy games from any region's shop, and I want to be able to play games from any region.

[NWR_insanolord]

I'm holding out on a DSi purchase until there is some modding up in there. I want to be able to buy games from any region's shop, and I want to be able to play games from any region.

You'll probably be waiting a while, I don't think they've found a way to buy from foreign shops on the Wii yet so I wouldn't expect it on the DSi.

[TJ Spyke]

You'll probably be waiting a while, I don't think they've found a way to buy from foreign shops on the Wii yet so I wouldn't expect it on the DSi.

There is, sorta. You can switch between the European and Australian versions of the Wii Shop Channel, but you lose all your Wii Points when you do that (or that used to be the case, I don't know if it still it).

[blackfootsteps]

You'll probably be waiting a while, I don't think they've found a way to buy from foreign shops on the Wii yet so I wouldn't expect it on the DSi.

There is, sorta. You can switch between the European and Australian versions of the Wii Shop Channel, but you lose all your Wii Points when you do that (or that used to be the case, I don't know if it still it).

Pretty sure the one time I did do that I *didn't* lose my points. Not 100% sure and I can't check because I can't access my Wii Shop for some reason due to a failed Homebrew update.

[NWR_insanolord]

But you can't switch from NA to PAL to Japanese, which I assume is what he wanted.