Those hoping to import foreign Wii U games are out of luck.
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/31862
The Wii U will be region locked, as reported in the most recent issue of Famitsu and confirmed via translation on Twitter.
This means that Wii U systems in a given region of the world will not play any games sold in a different territory. For example, a North American Wii U will only read NTSC-encoded software, whereas a European Wii U will only read PAL-encoded software.
Regionally-locked hardware has been a standard of Nintendo home consoles going back to the NES, and their handheld systems have adopted the practice since the release of DSi.
Dissappointing but expected. However, I'm sure it won't be long before someone manages to hack a Wii U version of Gecko?
Of course the Game Boy had no lockout and I don't think it had any negative effect on the system whatsoever.Reggie actually touted DS region-free capability as a feature. And then, DSi.
This region lock means we are completely at Reggie's mercy. If he doesn't want to localize a game we want to play, we're screwed because importing won't be an option.
This region lock means we are completely at Reggie's mercy. If he doesn't want to localize a game we want to play, we're screwed because importing won't be an option.
(Until a hack becomes available.)
This region lock means we are completely at Reggie's mercy. If he doesn't want to localize a game we want to play, we're screwed because importing won't be an option.
(Until a hack becomes available.)
As has been pointed out, we're 18 months into the 3DS's life and we've seen nothing in terms of hacks. I wouldn't consider the Wii U receiving a homebrew solution anytime soon a given.
This region lock means we are completely at Reggie's mercy. If he doesn't want to localize a game we want to play, we're screwed because importing won't be an option.
This region lock means we are completely at Reggie's mercy. If he doesn't want to localize a game we want to play, we're screwed because importing won't be an option.
I love how, one minute, Reggie is this useless figurehead that sits atop the US Nintendo Empire but does nothing but carry out orders from his Japanese masters... then, the next minute, he's some diabolical mastermind out to kill US Gamers and kittens.
Region-free would be nice, but, did anyone, ANYONE expect it?
This region lock means we are completely at Reggie's mercy. If he doesn't want to localize a game we want to play, we're screwed because importing won't be an option.
I love how, one minute, Reggie is this useless figurehead that sits atop the US Nintendo Empire but does nothing but carry out orders from his Japanese masters... then, the next minute, he's some diabolical mastermind out to kill US Gamers and kittens.
The question is, do I hold out for a potential homebrew solution for region free gaming, or do I bite the bullet and import a Wii U from Japan? Play Asia is asking for $450 + shipping for the Base model.
hmm.