Nintendo DSi software region-locked

By Tom Bramwell Published 6 October, 2008

Only DSi-specific software, however.

Software specifically created for the Nintendo DSi will be region-locked, meaning that European software will only work on European consoles, and more importantly US and Japanese software won't.

Previous DS handhelds - and GameBoys before them - had been region-free, meaning that software purchased in the US or Japan could be played on European hardware.

However, Nintendo told Eurogamer this afternoon that DSi is region-locked "because DSi embeds net communication functionality within itself and we are intending to provide net services specifically tailored for each region".

"Also because we are including parental control functionality for Nintendo DSi and each region has its unique age limit made by different independent bodies."

The good news is that this only applies to software that is compatible exclusively with the DSi, and that existing DS software remains region-free. Internet browsing and photo sharing also works globally.

Also, Nintendo's statement specifically refers to "software" rather than "games". We've asked for clarification as to whether this is likely to affect a lot of game releases going forward, but, assuming the platform holder hopes to continue selling DS Lites in large numbers, we'd be surprised if it does.

Update:Nintendo has told us that software is their term for everything these days, including games products, so it sounds like the DSi's region-locking will be broad-based on all releases that require the new hardware.

The Nintendo DSi is due to launch in Japan on 1st November, and Nintendo UK has previously said that the revised hardware - sporting a bigger screen, a camera and an SD card slot - will launch in Europe next spring.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (46) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Les #1 3 years ago

    I had no plans for upgrading (my old fat DS still works fine) but this definitely rules the DSi out.

  • magicpocket #2 3 years ago

    Including an SD card slot makes me think that piracy will be more rife than before on the old DS

  • secombe #3 3 years ago

    This is probably a story about nothing, to be fair. I assume it will only apply to odd things like Browser software and such like.

  • Floppy #4 3 years ago

    Thanks for jumping on the regional bandwagon Nintendo... cunts. Now we'll be even more tied to lackluster European releases.

    I know all their non handheld consoles are regioned, but the great selling point of a handheld it that it's playable without territory restrictions. I'm sure trips to Florida by most UK residents and visits to their game shops will be marred somewhat.
    Edited by 2 at 06/10/08 @ 16:41

  • varsas #5 3 years ago

    I'm not sure why this is an issue for most of us since it won't apply to DS games.

  • Shakey_Jake33 #6 3 years ago

    Since I already have a DS Lite, this news has encouraged me to wait and see on the DSi. While their reasoning makes sense, if we're going to start seeing games making use of the DSi functionality, and it'll be region locked... seems wise to wait and see if Japanese/American units/games work over here, and which region to go for.

  • chrisjm #7 3 years ago

    and a user selectable setting of 'country' wouldnt have the same effect? :-/

  • consignia #8 3 years ago

    I'm a little confused, is there going to be exclusive software for the DSi that won't run on a standard DS, or is the DSi just an another upgrade albeit with loads of new features such as the forementioned Download service?

  • iago71 #9 3 years ago

    Then Im guessing getting a DSi from Japan before its release over here will mess things up further down the line? Bugger, I was all set to pick it up nice and cheap from my sis in law when she visits next month. :(

  • Shakey_Jake33 #10 3 years ago

    There will be software that is DSi-only. However, depending on how sales work out, developers might aim for the lowest common denominator and make it standard DS with DSi functions optional. We shall see.

    If the online functions of a Japanese or US device do actually work over here (but simply localised for those audiences), it may be wise to import for those who import games often. Conversely, having everything localised for another region might cause problems for you depending on what they do with it. That's why I say it's wise to sit this out for a while and wait.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/08 @ 16:48

  • LazyDan #11 3 years ago

    Obviously it's the DSi WiiWare-like service that will be region locked. Euro DSi's will only be able to use the Euro store and so on. So we will see releases staggered between regions like they are on the current Wii Virtual Console and Wiiware shops. Load of cock essentially, but not entirely unexpected.

  • DB2k #12 3 years ago

    in that case I'm going to rape the fuck out of the SD card nicking games I can;t get in the UK then! Especially if they make the new Zelda in the US not come out in the UK for 8 months... tossers

  • Pirotic #13 3 years ago

    Pft, If a game won't work in the UK for whatever reason, then why go to the extra effort of region locking it? It's not going to work anyway so what difference could adding a region lock possibly make?

    No doubt it's easier for Nintendo Europe to ask for region locks to be put back in than to be bothered releasing anything half decent within a reasonable amount of time.

    A huge bloody leap backwards.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/08 @ 17:20

  • toy_brain #14 3 years ago

    Dear Atlus USA
    Please do not release any DSi-specific games. Ever.

    Thanks.

  • Chim_chimma_nee! #15 3 years ago

    *Shouts over a noisy bar*

    "You just lost yourself a customer!"

  • siro #16 3 years ago

    So, games are software now? That claim is ridiculous!

  • alsotop #17 3 years ago

    Really a step backwards. I'm glad they're making the DSi worse so that I'll never have to buy it.

  • Pac-man-ate-my-wife #18 3 years ago

    That's a pretty annoying - one of the great things about the DS is that you can get obscure games or titles months before they turn up here.

  • penhalion #19 3 years ago

    @siro

    Games ARE software. When I heard about the DSi having an SD slot I pretty much told you guys it would be encryped. I guess that extended to region locking too. This is very idiotic on Nintendo's part as it will now guarantee that hackers everywhere work tirelessly to break the region locking and in so doing, break any form of protection the new console maty have had.

    Sometimes you gotta think they announce this crap deliberately to get their consoles cracked quicker.

  • rock27gr #20 3 years ago

    I would bet that this news only affects "DS Ware" titles, and very very few actual cartrige releases. Nothing to worry about, or unexpected for that matter.

  • Rirekon #21 3 years ago

    Love how people have entirely missed the point.
    Software (read: Games) will be "region locked" in that if their net-code isn't compatible with the net-ready hardware on your DSi then it won't work, so to save themselves problems with customers not understanding this they're just outright region locking those titles entirely.
    This has zero affect on DS games, past, present or future, and I suspect the number of DSi specific titles will actually be quite low comparatively. As others have mentioned, it's likely to be the DSi equivalent of WiiWare stuff which is actually region locked.

  • penhalion #22 3 years ago

    This should remove any thoughts of buying a DSi from most sane peoples shopping lists. The whole point of region free handhelds was because you are expected to travel around the globe with them. Common sense should have told Nintendo that any software used on the handheld should be region free not region locked.

    How are they seriously suggesting that they should be allowed to dicate where you carry your portable to? Make no mistake here, this is exactly the effect region locking any software on a portable system has. The DSWare services in the USA for instance, will not even connect to a non US DSi.

    As long as Sony don't follow this trend, Nintendo may well find their loyale base slowly switching over to PSP instead (and I really hope this does happen).

  • sailesh #23 3 years ago

    absolut FAIL! (;_;)

  • Santino #24 3 years ago

    if this is for DSiWare only and not retail copies i'll definitely still get one, but if it is for carts as well then screw that, i import far too many games for that, imagine having to wait till november to play layton! in fact i cant remember the last pal game i bought, would be daft to considering its cheaper to import.

  • paralipsis #25 3 years ago

    I understand the region locking, as it is the only way to ensure rights holders to software get their end of the deal. But that absolutely does not excuse this sorry development. The system is broken. In a world where data moves freely across almost any borders, there needs to be a single system for managing the relationship between the rights holders and the distribution channels that is worldwide. Anything else encourages piracy. After reading this news, I know I am going to wait until the device is completely hacked before I get one.

    The law needs to catch up with reality.

  • Razz #26 3 years ago

    Love how people have entirely missed the point.

    +1

    DSi specific software you cretins. :/
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/08 @ 19:13

  • cheekyjay #27 3 years ago

    To those that think "software" is an inappropriate term for games, surely it isn't. All games are software by virtue of the fact that they are not hardware. Ubisoft, Chunsoft, Microsoft, even Amsoft for those old enough to remember them - pretty sure they all make/made games.
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/08 @ 20:05

  • secombe #28 3 years ago

    Interweb users in Daily Mail style outrage over nothing shocker, lol.

  • shadaik #29 3 years ago

    *bangsheadonnearestwall* Nintendo, everything worked and now you have to go and screw up big time? You gonna do another GameBoy micro disaster? WHY?

    Also, DSi-specific probably means "anything that runs on a DSi released from a certain point in time", because the age system thing is true for any software that can run on the DSi.

  • Capn #30 3 years ago

    Rirekon's right.
    TBH, this is just another reason to buy one - More in stock for me if you lot wanna puss out on buying one =]

  • Davemanz #31 3 years ago

    How many games will be DSi exclusive, though? I would expect this would only affect a handful of games. My Lite broke so I'll likely get this.

  • cawley1 #32 3 years ago

    Those of you saying this does not matter miss the point - every handheld bar the PC Engine GT has been region free and this will set a precident that Nintendo if not others will likely follow from here on, using the 'downloadable content needs to be region specific, and as it is embedded in the game' bollocks!
    Everyone knows the perk of having a handheld is if you take it on holiday with you, you can buy a game in that country and it will work. Not any more!
    Having been an importer since the mid-90's, I got my first PAL console in ages earlier this year, a 360, mainly because the days of PAL nonesense are over and HD will give me a full screen all the time, plus prety much everything that makes it out on 360/PS3 seems to get over here anyway, probably due to cost of making the game.
    While I have no doubt it will get hacked and opened up, it should not need that to play import titles on a handheld.
    Looks like it will be back to buying a US system, especially in Nintendo's case with their shit European support.

  • justsomeone #33 3 years ago

    so let me get this straight - you're not buying a DSi because you wouldn't be able to import and play DSi-specifc software from other regions on it.

    but by not buying the DSi you *still* won't be able to play DSi-specific software from other regions, and you'll *also* be unable to play DSi-specific software from your own region.

    what exactly have you achieved?

  • mkreku #34 3 years ago

    I'm betting this is another way for Nintendo to squeeze money out of us Europeans. I mean, it's actually cheaper to import games from the US to Sweden than buy them in Sweden directly. The DSi would put an end to that.

    I guess selling antique tech for next gen prizes isn't greedy enough for them. My Nintendo dislike is growing steadily.

  • yagisencho #35 3 years ago

    Bummer.

  • IneptPercy #36 3 years ago

    Was in the balance about to upgrade from a DS lite, everything a hear about it makes me less likely to bother.

  • Razorus #37 3 years ago

    Why the hell must we wait for Spring!? Anyway, still getting it.
    Question! Will I be able to listen to music while the DSi is in Sleep Mode? eg, closed lid. It better do that or no sale.

  • ShiroBen #38 3 years ago

    UNSOLD.

  • SEVQA #39 3 years ago

    SD slot + Loader = Region I dont give a shit.

    "games are software now" yes just like my loader!

    Nintendo UR dumb!
    Edited by 1 at 06/10/08 @ 23:42

  • NegativeZero #40 3 years ago

    Utter bollocks. These things all use the same hardware which is built around the same standards. 802.11g is still 802.11g regardless of whether it's in Japan or the US or Europe. This is 100% about Nintendo being dirty cunts who want to eliminate grey-market imports and piracy devices like the R4.

    Fuck you right up the arse, Nintendo.

  • Suasexed #41 3 years ago

    I import my DS games from the US, so I guess I'm just gonna have to import a DSi from the US as well.

  • Monsta #42 3 years ago

    Yes, because having made a new super doooper handheld console, they are going to ignore all of the fancy new features so that games will be compatible with their old console.

    Yup, i can't see them making any dsi specific software, ever.

  • Rirekon #43 3 years ago

    So out of 40 comments only a handful of people appear to have actually read the article, the rest of you give yourselves a slow round of applause...

  • Suasexed #44 3 years ago

    I read it clearly. If DSi software is released on a physical cart I'm going to want the US version. If I have a Euro DSi I won't be able to play it. Hopefully, DSi specific software will mainly be released in the DSiShop negating any problems I would have.
    Edited by 1 at 07/10/08 @ 10:22

  • bitesize #45 3 years ago

    This is 100% about Nintendo being dirty cunts who want to eliminate grey-market imports and piracy devices like the R4.

    Fuck you right up the arse, Nintendo.

    yeah, how dare they want to eliminate piracy on their machine, what a bunch of cunts!

  • varsas #46 3 years ago

    @penhalion:

    "Sometimes you gotta think they announce this crap deliberately to get their consoles cracked quicker. "

    Why would announcing that they have protection mean it gets cracked quicker? That doesn't make any sense.