AfterDawn: News

The Wii U will be region-locked

Nintendo has confirmed that the Wii U will be region-locked, meaning no imported games.

If you purchase a Wii U title in a particular region, you have to play it in that region. Imported titles, for example a Japanese game, will not be playable on your new American Wii U.



Nintendo has long region-locked their consoles, including the Wii and 3DS handheld.

The gaming company has priced the upcoming console cheaper for U.S. consumers than its home country of Japan. Set for release on November 18th, the base model will cost $300 while the deluxe edition will sell for $350 in the U.S.

The base model will include the Wii U console with 8GB memory and the Wii U GamePad in all white. The deluxe edition comes with 32GB and a GamePad charging cradle. Additionally, it will come bundled with the game NintendoLand.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 26 Sep 2012 11:33

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• 15 comments

• SAW_FIEND

  HOW FUCKING STUPID!
  

  OH YES ... THERE WILL BE BLOOD.

  26.9.2012 11:40 #1

• Mysttic

  Only until it's modded.

  26.9.2012 12:07 #2

• ZippyDSM

  Ya know...replacing the nand on a wii to get to your shit pretty much makes a softmod mandatory.... I am looking at you WIIU........
  

  Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Lets renegotiate them.
  
  ---
  Check out my crappy creations
  http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/

  26.9.2012 12:27 #3

• KSib

  Just curious. What is the rationale behind this? As I really don't understand the benefit to anyone.
  

  26.9.2012 13:21 #4

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by KSib: Just curious. What is the rationale behind this? As I really don't understand the benefit to anyone. So they can keep the 120-220% higher than normal region prices high.
  

  Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Lets renegotiate them.
  
  ---
  Check out my crappy creations
  http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/

  26.9.2012 13:30 #5

• skeil909

  Originally posted by KSib: Just curious. What is the rationale behind this? As I really don't understand the benefit to anyone. Without region locks you could just buy a game or movie from whatever country had the best price. U.S. companies would have a heart attack.
  
  It's all about price fixing and making as much money as possible from each region.
  
  At least that's what I thought.

  26.9.2012 13:48 #6

• KSib

  Thanks guys. I suppose that does make sense even if it's super annoying for the gamers that want to play JP exclusive titles.
  

  26.9.2012 15:29 #7

• harhumph

  A collective F U from all Americans who love anything Dragon Quest, no matter how hard it is dealing with the Japanese symbols. Like everyone said locking stuff up will only make modding more fun.

  26.9.2012 16:54 #8

• hearme0

  You're a Japanese company! The US and Japan love each other. Japan prides itself on its work.........Why shoot yourself in the foot by region locking this thing. This will ultimately lead to hacks for overseas games, modding too. Region lock for Afghanistan and the Middle East but not the US and Canada!

  27.9.2012 11:54 #9

• blueboy09

  Originally posted by ZippyDSM: Originally posted by KSib: Just curious. What is the rationale behind this? As I really don't understand the benefit to anyone. So they can keep the 120-220% higher than normal region prices high. One answer and two words: Preventable piracy. Not to say that's going to change the minds of hackers who know how to mod their consoles however.
  

  Chance prepares the favored mind. Look up once in a while and you might learn something. - BLUEBOY

  27.9.2012 19:40 #10

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by blueboy09: Originally posted by ZippyDSM: Originally posted by KSib: Just curious. What is the rationale behind this? As I really don't understand the benefit to anyone. So they can keep the 120-220% higher than normal region prices high. One answer and two words: Preventable piracy. Not to say that's going to change the minds of hackers who know how to mod their consoles however. It keeps most people from doing it, and most are easily mislead into buying crap at the same time...
  

  Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Lets renegotiate them.
  
  ---
  Check out my crappy creations
  http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/

  27.9.2012 19:46 #11

• shortybob

  SURPRISE! Every fucking console is region locked. Why is this news?
  

  28.9.2012 03:56 #12

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by shortybob: SURPRISE! Every fcking console is region locked. Why is this news? Most games on the 360 are not, the PS3 has cross regioning where US,EU and JP games play on each other consoles.(tho I think the JP units wont play EU games)
  

  Copyright infringement is nothing more than civil disobedience to a bad set of laws. Lets renegotiate them.
  
  ---
  Check out my crappy creations
  http://zippydsm.deviantart.com/

  28.9.2012 08:45 #13

• omegaman7

  That's gonna get the pirate communities attention. How long did it take to mod the first wii? ...
  

  
  
  Theres that word again. "Epic!" Is there something wrong with mankinds ability to be creative?

  30.9.2012 01:39 #14

• Gnawnivek

  Originally posted by shortybob: SURPRISE! Every fucking console is region locked. Why is this news? See ZippyDSM's comment... I know my NA PS3 plays games imported from UK (Zavvi) and HK (Play-Asia). Some games are only available as imports and with English subtitle features, there's no language issues. I know Nintendo is more strict on region controls, so it's not exactly a total shocker. However, it does take fair amount of freedom from gamers (prices, promotions, different covers, different exclusive contents, etc.)
  

  Peace!

  1.10.2012 22:46 #15