Topic: Wii Region Lockout Explored

[MegaByte]

If it can be restricted, it is.

Play-Asia recently received their shipment of Japanese Wii units and took some time to test out region lockout on Japanese and US systems.  Unlike the Nintendo DS, Japanese Wii systems only support the Japanese language.  Play-Asia tried booting a US Wii disc on a Japanese system and vice-versa, but neither worked.  They also tried using a Japanese Wii Points card on the US Wii Shop, but the number was rejected as being from the wrong region.      

Datel's Action Replay and Freeloader discs do work on Wii, so import GameCube games can still be played.  However, there does seem to be some trouble loading certain games and using certain memory cards.  I also tested the unlicensed Game Boy Advance game player, Advance Game Port, and found that it had to be booted by Freeloader in order to load.  On top of that, sound plays at 1.5 times normal speed, likely due to the difference in clock speed between the Wii and GameCube.    

As for accessories, they are not region-restricted, and work on systems from either region.  However, those hoping to play import Wii games will either need to import a system as well or hope for a Freeloader-like solution to surface.

[S-U-P-E-R]

I bet they didn't try opening it up and trying something more nefarious!

[KDR_11k]

Well Ty, what are you going to do about the Wii? Are you staying in Japan forever or will you need a second Wii when you come home?

[UncleBob]

>I also tested the unlicensed Game Boy Advance game player, Advance Game Port, and found that it had to be booted by Freeloader in order to load.

I never even considered trying that!  I'll have to check it out!

[Nick DiMola]

Region Locking is just annoying. I'm not really sure why they want to do this anyway, does it make the system less vulnerable to pirated disks? I just want to be able to play imported games without the hastle. There are alot of fantastic games that never see the light of day in America and it sucks having to jump through a ton of hoops just to play one of those games. The lack of a region lock in the GBA and DS is so awesome. I wish Nintendo would employ the same concepts with the Wii.

[KDR_11k]

I'm not really sure why they want to do this anyway, does it make the system less vulnerable to pirated disks?

No, it's a reassurance for publishers that have licensed a game only for one region that none of the other regions' publishers will interfere with his market.

[couchmonkey]

Interesting point, KDR.

It's called regional pricing, it's innovative!  

[Ceric]

Didn't are friends at NoA state that the US and Japanese Wii would have no region locking on at least 1st party games?
Another Disappointment.

[KDR_11k]

Guess NoE complained that they'd lose sales until the other Nintendos agreed to region lock their games.

[Neodymium]

That really makes me fume. The worst system for this is Turbografx, where all Japanese PC Engine cards are a huge hassle to use. What's the damn problem, Nintendo? All you do by region locking is encourage piracy. That's a huge image weakness when Sony and MS have moved past that immature trash.  

[Ceric]

Sony isn't region locking?

[MegaByte]

Nope, not for games.

[Ceric]

Wow.  I'm surprised by that.

[Jonnyboy117]

Xbox 360 was supposed to be region free, but it's not.  I too am surprised that Sony actually went through with it.  And I'm disappointed that Nintendo didn't.  Hopefully the region switch is as easy to rig as it was on GameCube.

[MegaByte]

I hope so too, but the firmware is entirely different this time, whereas it was identical in Japanese/US GameCubes.

[KDR_11k]

I have a feeling PS3 games won't remain region free for long.

[Kairon]

What IS the advantage to region locking? Do third party publishers lobby heavily for it or something?

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[blackfootsteps]

Quote
Originally posted by: Jonnyboy117Xbox 360 was supposed to be region free, but it's not.  I too am surprised that Sony actually went through with it.  And I'm disappointed that Nintendo didn't.  Hopefully the region switch is as easy to rig as it was on GameCube.

Some 360 games are region free, just none of the good ones.

Regarding Wii, I'm sure a Wiiloader will be on its way soon, considering how popular it was for the Cube.