Author Topic: Wii Region-Free (Read 9120 times)

WindyMan · « **on:** September 14, 2006, 08:37:40 AM »

Wii titles are most likely to be playable on consoles worldwide, Nintendo's own included.

Games writer, friend to PGC and heavy drinker Chris Kohler is reporting on his Wired Games Blog that the Wii console, like the Nintendo DS, will be able to play games from any region of the world.

The report implies that region protection can still be put in place by publishers if they so desire, but Nintendo's own games won't be locked to a specific country.

Kohler's blog also has two other pieces of Wii info. First, downloaded Virtual Console games are tied to a central account, and can be re-downloaded if they are lost. Second, the USB ports on the Wii console can not be used for storage expansion, at least intially. All storage will be via the onboard 512MB of flash memory and the SD card expansion slot.

nitsu niflheim · « **Reply #1 on:** September 14, 2006, 08:53:36 AM »

I've only bought one import game in my life, Shining Soul for GBA (which incidentilly was released here in the stated like 4 months later ;_

. So unless Europe gets some really neat games USA doesn't, or Japan gets games that either have english text or no text at all, then I don't see this as much as a big thing for me.

DAaaMan64 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2006, 08:58:01 AM »

Good news, I would enjoy me some Crayon Shin Chan :p.

ThePerm · « **Reply #3 on:** September 14, 2006, 08:58:45 AM »

"Second, the USB ports on the Wii console can not be used for storage expansion, at least intially. "
I hope thats temporary

DAaaMan64 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 14, 2006, 09:08:58 AM »

Why exactly??Kingston 1GB Secure Digital (SD) $18.99 :p I know what you mean just messing with you.

capamerica · « **Reply #5 on:** September 14, 2006, 09:16:07 AM »

I really hope that USB drives will be suported very soon. I would love to be able to use my iPod to store my games.

And I hope the Region Free news is true, Since the GameCube I've been buying alot more import games like Donkey Konga 1 & 2. JP versions are so much better then the US versions.

KnowsNothing · « **Reply #6 on:** September 14, 2006, 09:31:21 AM »

Region free? SWEET. Best news ever.

No USB expansion? Not sweet, but expected. I doubt I'd ever need it though, I don't plan on downloading too many VC games.

AnyoneEB · « **Reply #7 on:** September 14, 2006, 10:10:12 AM »

DAaaMan64: SD cards are cheap. USB flash sticks/HDD enclosures I already own are free. Of course, a lot of people have SD card cameras already.

amost · « **Reply #8 on:** September 14, 2006, 10:17:33 AM »

best. news. today.

OverHeat · « **Reply #9 on:** September 14, 2006, 10:35:06 AM »

Thank GOD. I was starting to bum out at the thought of needing to buy the American version of Naruto, whenever it comes out. Now I wont have to listen to those horrid voices! Yaaayyyy!!

KDR_11k · « **Reply #10 on:** September 14, 2006, 11:29:00 AM »

Games like Naruto might still be region locked to handle the different licensing deals in the different territories (a game company has to grab the license from the local licensee of the series, not the original company).

OverHeat · « **Reply #11 on:** September 14, 2006, 11:36:27 AM »

This is true, as Naruto is not a Nintendo made game. Nintendo only vouched for themselves, not 3rd parties. But hey! What if Nintendo made a version of Jump! Superstars for the Wii? *gasp!*

Djunknown · « **Reply #12 on:** September 14, 2006, 01:08:49 PM »

Looks like I missed the Wii frenzy. One can safely assume the hardware modders will be virtually out of business...

Anyway, I've been hearing rumblings about "My First Wii." What's' all the hub-bub about it?

RickPowers · « **Reply #13 on:** September 14, 2006, 01:23:58 PM »

My First Wii is a series of mini-games that look to be exclusive for the Japanese market. They'll be bundled in with a Wii-mote.

Kairon · « **Reply #14 on:** September 14, 2006, 02:07:50 PM »

Looks like I'll be importing My First Wii?

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

oohhboy · « **Reply #15 on:** September 14, 2006, 04:31:11 PM »

So sweet. That is one item off my wish list. Now only if I can use the Wii for the DS online.

OverHeat · « **Reply #16 on:** September 14, 2006, 05:48:43 PM »

Er...well, the Wii would need a way to get online just like your DS does. If you could get your Wii online, there should be no stopping you from getting your DS online. If you dont have wireless, there is that USB receiver Nintendo has out that attaches to your computer and allows you to get online with your DS. With this wired plug Nintendo is talking about allows you to physically connect your Wii to you comp, I suppose there might be a way to get online through your Wii, but... that sounds rather convoluded as well as iffy, although not impossible. It is possible, as Nintendo has yet to release ANY info on how the two systems will connect. Just dont get your hopes up too high.

Athrun Zala · « **Reply #17 on:** September 14, 2006, 06:05:44 PM »

YESSSSSSS!!!

GREAT NEWS! I LOVE you Nintendo!

mind that the region free thing is so that if modchips exist, Nintendo can squash them because their only purpouse would be playing pirated games....

oohhboy · « **Reply #18 on:** September 14, 2006, 08:34:56 PM »

I would have brought the dongle if they ever got round to releasing drivers for the Mac. If I could go through the Wii for DS wifi, then problem solved.

When I do get the Wii I will just plug it straight into my router which has plenty of spare ports.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #19 on:** September 14, 2006, 09:22:59 PM »

Athrun: Or playing games that are region locked.

Oohhboy: The DS can connect to a plain jane WiFi access point.

Renny · « **Reply #20 on:** September 15, 2006, 07:43:34 AM »

Only good news so far.

OverHeat · « **Reply #21 on:** September 15, 2006, 08:55:36 AM »

oohhboy; Yeah, I hear ya. I am a Mac man myself. I am used to companies not bothering to support the Mac, but Nintendo has irked me with that fact recently. Why? Because they keep comparing themselves with the company. Cmon Big N! Support the Mac and slap MS in the face! It'll feel good, I promise!

Edit: KDR is right, oohhboy. I bought Macs Airport Extreme (The little baby one that can plug into the wall) and I have no problem connecting with my DS. I am sure most other wireless solutions work with it as well. In fact, Nintendo's DS site has a listing of which wireless solutions work best with the system.

Athrun Zala · « **Reply #22 on:** September 15, 2006, 10:27:12 AM »

there seems to be some discrepancies inside Nintendo about this....

Kaplan says it'll be, UK's General Manager David Yarnton says it won't =|

http://wii.ign.com/articles/732/732982p1.html

Bloodworth · « **Reply #23 on:** September 15, 2006, 04:17:22 PM »

Well, I'd suspect that the PAL/NTSC compatibility would be a problem.

Pale · « **Reply #24 on:** September 15, 2006, 07:02:01 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: RickPowers
My First Wii is a series of mini-games that look to be exclusive for the Japanese market. They'll be bundled in with a Wii-mote.

I'm not positive this is the case as I think all of these games were showcased at the event on thursday. Duck Hunt like game, ping pong, table tennis, billiards, and more. Are these the same games?

News:

Author Topic: Wii Region-Free (Read 9120 times)