Just like its predecessor the Wii, and its handheld relative the 3DS, Nintendo's newest console will not be able to use any software from outside its intended region.
Nintendo revealed this to veteran Japanese gaming mag Famitsu, which was quoted on the NeoGAF forum as saying, "In addition, the feature region lock the region can play the Wii U is limited is mounted, you can not play other than software that is sold in the area." (Thanks to Google for the seamless translation.) The news was later confirmed by CVG.
The main problem here is that the dedicated and culturally curious gamer who looks to import rare, quirky games from around the globe will be unable to do so. With Nintendo being a quintessentially Japanese company, many of the most popular games in its home country -- often completely baffling to Western gamers, but with their own specific charms -- are not released elsewhere.
Another issue is that those keen enough to get hold of a game early, because it's released in the US before Europe, for example, won't have this luxury either.
This will not seem like a big deal for most people, but some will be annoyed at the situation. This will likely lead to hacks or modding of the Wii U, obviously at the expense of invalidating the warranty, in order to find a way around this international restriction.
Nintendo's main competitors, Microsoft and Sony, allow publishers themselves to decide whether or not to use region locking on games for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. As a result, almost all PlayStation titles are sold without such a lock -- thank you America for my Uncharted: Drake's Fortune copy one month early, all those years ago.
In comparison, Xbox 360 titles vary widely on whether there is a lock or not.
The Wii U will be out in the UK on 30 November, with the US earlier on the 18th, and, strangely, Japan later on 8 December. Prices will start at £249.
What do you think of the region-locking of the Wii U? Are you one of the hardcore few, livid at the fact that you won't be able to play the rarest of titles? Blow off steam down in the comments or over on our cosmopolitan Facebook page.
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Comments 7
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anonymous 25 September, 2012 14:05
wii poo. Im mature :D
anonymous 25 September, 2012 15:34
Nintendo whats happened to you...
Daniel Rawr 25 September, 2012 19:28
You guys forgot to mention that Micro$oft and Sony are planning on locking your games to your system which means you cant sell them or use them on another system....
billfred 25 September, 2012 19:43
The real thing that would turn me off either MS or Sony's next console would be the required constant connection to the internet. Will not be buying either if that's true. (oh and funnily enough I will never buy the Wii U either, haven't bought a Nintendo product since the Cube).
anonymous 25 September, 2012 20:17
Will not even buy one now. Was considering the black version with additional Gamepad!
andydandy 25 September, 2012 22:05
What this really means is that there will be different PRICES for different games in different markets. So you won’t be able to import cheaper copies. Europe will again be the most expensive. This was inflicted on us by the DVD industry, which led to mass piracy. I hope this leads to instead to mass indifference. You would have to be a sucker to buy a Wii WITHOUT knowing that the prices will not be exorbitant in the UK. There is a lot for criticism out there for several firms for various reasons, but trying to get more money out of me because I live in Europe is a joke. I would rather do without the product than pay 20% more than someone in Manhattan, and 30% more than someone in Hong Kong or Tokyo. (Please note -I do know that VAT must be deducted).
anonymous 26 September, 2012 16:01
Every Nintendo home console has been region locked since the NES. Not a surpise that the Wii U is region locked.