According to a recent interview Eurogamer had with Nintendo, they have learned that not only will the DSi be region locked by region, but will also feature Parental controls. What this really mean’s is if we were to import a DSi from Japan we wouldn’t really have access to any of the downloadable content.
Nintendo has confirmed that software specifically created for the DSi will be region-locked, with European, North American and Japanese software only working on consoles designed for their specific regions. …
The company added: “Also because we are including parental control functionality for Nintendo DSi and each region has its unique age limit made by different independent bodies.” …
This only applies to software that is compatible exclusively with the DSi – existing DS software remains region-free. Internet browsing and photo sharing also works globally.
However, it should be noted that the region lock only applies to the downloadable software and apps that they will be releasing. We should still be able to play all cartridge based software. Also, does the DSi really need to have parental controls? Even with Grand Theft Auto – China Town Wars, is it really necessary to lock out what games our youths can play on the hand held?
THAT PISSES ME OFF!!! I was gonna import one cuz I don’t wana wait til next freakin’ year!!! That’s like spending money on a gimped system! Dammit!
Wow. I feel a little less interested now. Japan will get the coolest software downloads and we won’t have access to them. Great.
What the Hell are you on about on that last sentence?
DS is certainly not exclusive to kids, and nor should the software. There’s already a few adult titles on DS (The Ward I think it is being one). Why should it bother anyone unless you’re under the age of 12?
I assume the region locking is per DSi, meaning yes, you can access Jap store, but only from a Jap DSi (like you can with Wii). And how is region locking applicable to GTA? Methinks you mean parental controls.
Region locking for downloadable services is handy for companies. There’s not always ways to secure worldwide rights to content, whether straight away or in the long term, so it’s an easy way to segregate content to make such dealings easier, along with allowing them to better make business and marketing strategies around said services and their releases (seeing as a download store wouldn’t be limited by physical supply to each region ). This doesn’t always come as advantageous to us however, but nevertheless, it’s certainly understandable from a business point of view.
@ Modplan Man
Actually that’s exactly what I meant.
What are you doing Timmy? Oh you’re going to Bobby’s house? Let me see your DSi so I can just change some settings. I don’t want you to play some of Bobby’s more visual disturbing and graphic games that he has.
Seriously, Parental Controls. That’s just a WTF.
@ Josh
I feel your pain man, I was going to Import as well, now that is bust.
I am actually ok with this, lol. That’s because I am too busy to play everything that interest me. I am trying so hard to finish every game I have bought as it is.
actually, Damien, that’s pretty much the litmus test for Parental Controls. A tool for parents to better enforce their guidelines on their children. y’know, _parenting_. It doesn’t affect adult users, who can just decline the controls.
It seems perfectly reasonable that a parent, buying a piece of hardware for their child and/or home, would want the option of monitoring/influencing their child’s activities.
If anything, I see the addition of parental controls as a sign that the platform will be treated to _more_ mature titles.
Parental Controls are one of those things that hot-blooded gamers argue with on principle, despite it never having affected anybody ever.
The only way to bitch about this with legitimate concern is if you are underage to even have those games anyway.
I feel that both the Wii shopping channel and the upcoming DSi shop should be based on a user selectable account region like iTunes and not the location where you bought the console. This way as long as the user has an address and the ability to make payments in the currency of the store they can purchase from it.
This system was not as necessary on the Wii because the games themselves are region locked as well, but it’s odd to have downloadable content be region specific when standard software is not.
F*** YOU PARENTAL F***ING CONTROL $H1t!!!!!!!!! Now I’m gonna have break it…
Is it really a big deal? We’ve always had to deal with region locking and parental controls but we’ve managed regardless.
Sure, it would be nice to get all the Japanese games and content but when have we ever been able to play them before. The DS carts arent being locked out, just the downloadable content, like Wiiware.
And parental controls are just like they would be in the Wii, again, not a big deal.
Just relax, take a deep breath and just accept that everything is gonna be fine, I just don’t see what anyone has a problem with. Why must we always find problems?
I dunno. I have the Japanese Professor Layton and (although I know that the extra puzzles are locked on the game its self) I can unlock them weekly. In fact I can connect online with Japanese Pokemon.
So I don’t see why you couldn’t buy the Japanese version and download games still. Points are points.
A friend of mine with a Japanese Wii can also get Japanese VC games here in the States… so it should be good. Well, as long as you can read Japanese.
“However, it should be noted that the region lock only applies to the downloadable software and apps that they will be releasing.”
I’m sure there will eventually be DSi-specific CARTS released; games that may utilize the camera, or have downloadable content available. I would imagine these carts will also be region-locked.
Parental control isn’t necessary, but surely some will appreciate it.
Funny to see the DS evolving closer to how the Wii is. Not shocked but not happy about having region-specific things. It’d be cool if you could choose a shop to have things by region but allowing you to change shops and get what other regions have if you so choose.
Honestly I don’t see how that’d make them LESS money.
Region locks? FU NINTY!!!
it is absolutely a parents job to filter what their child is exposed to. when the kid turns 18 they can play what they want and do what they want, until then the parents are held responsible (like paying for damages, court fees, accidents, and many other miscellaneous expenses that come along with a child who likes trouble). it is also a parents job to know their children and decide when they are responsible enough to make decisions on what they can and can’t do. honestly i wasn’t 17 before i saw a rated R movie or 21 when i drank for the first time, but my parents were always over my shoulder making sure i wasn’t in too much trouble. they knew me and what i was capable of, so when street fighter 2 or mortal kombat first came out i was only 11 and they didn’t have a problem with me playing them. they knew i’m not violent or socially inept person and that i understood the difference between reality and fantasy, so they allowed me to play when other parents were tripping out. although there is a point even if the kids the smartest 7 year old on earth thier mind isn’t ready cope with chopping people up or shooting them point blank. really the kids that give their parents reasons not to let them play are the only ones who have anything to worry about, unless your parents are a hyper religious ned flanders type then sorry buddy there’s nothing anyone can do to help you
As long as I can still play my Shonnen Jump Ultimate Stars, I’m golden!
My biggest issue with the DSi now is the price… not because it is too expensive, but because the new PSP is cheaper!
@InvisibleMan:
What I have been saying in other threads is that it is not necessarily going to be $188 USD – I seriously doubt that’s going to be the price when it arrives here in North America.
That $188 you see is a simple conversion of what the yen price is in Japan. That USD price is NOT what the DSi is going to sell for in North America.
My bet? The DSi is going to be cheaper than the POSP-3000.
The region lock would be a deal-breaker for me since I like to play a lot of NA and Japanese software. Parental controls are all fine and good but if different age limits in different countries are being used as a justification for the region lock you’d think Nintendo would realize a little kid too young to play adult games probably lacks the cash/credit card to be importing games.
To all the people complaining about parental controls:What are you talking about?Oh,I just realized,you’re mad because they came out with something that doesn’t effect you at all and you can’t complain about it online like the little winy crybabies you are.
Anyway,I’m a kid but I don’t play those stupid violent shooting games,so it doesn’t effect me.I wouldn’t want to import games because there are plenty of good ones here,so that doesn’t effect me either.
@ Luigi Kid
Your comment doesn’t effect half of us, because you are a kid.