With launch dates and prices known for the Nintendo 3DS handheld for all major territories attention is once again turning towards the features linked to the new device and gamers have been expressing some pretty negative though linked to the region locking employed by the 3DS.
When David Yarnton, the boss of the United Kingdom Nintendo operation, was asked about
the region locking by Eurogamer, a public relations representative jumped in to say that all titles for the new device are locked.
The executive tried to add some justification, saying, “For example, we might have in one territory downloadable content that's not necessarily suitable or we don't have the means to do it in another territory. So therefore it may not be compatible.”
He added a comparison to other kinds of content, stating, “The other part, DVDs are also region-locked. It's nothing new. I know people would love to sample the box of chocolates from everywhere, but at this stage... As time goes on, who knows what's going to happen?”
The last sentence of his statement seems to suggest that Nintendo could change the system if it wanted to, but it seems that, at least initially, gamers are better off getting the
3DS from stores in the area they will also get their games.
The problem with this model is that Nintendo has a history of launching some of its biggest franchises early on the Japanese markets, with fans of the same game in Europe and North America having to wait for periods that can top 6 months, as is the case of the new Pokemon Black and White games.
Region locking is often seen as part of a strategy to stop piracy on the Nintendo line of handhelds, which has caused significant losses to publishers over time, but Nintendo should enforce it just after it makes sure that gamers in all areas get important titles at the same time.
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