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Iwata Updates Position On Region-Locking During Nintendo Investor Q&A

Region locking is a sore point for many who believe that we should be able to play software from other regions on our NTSC and PAL consoles. During the recent investors Q&A session, Iwata says that he has heard gamers cries about region locking and it’s something they are thinking hard about for the future. So while current Nintendo platforms are region locked, it seems likely that Nintendo’s forthcoming NX hardware probably won’t be. Well, let’s hope!

Removing region-locking from current game machines presents various issues, so we don’t consider that to be very realistic. However, regarding NX, given the customer feedback and proposals from the market, while nothing has been decided yet, we’re currently investigating internally what problems there would be in realizing it. You can think of that as the current situation. I understand your desire, so I’d like to look at it optimistically going forward.

Thanks, Colin

77 thoughts on “Iwata Updates Position On Region-Locking During Nintendo Investor Q&A”

    1. It’s hardwired into the system, so you can’t really remove it with a simple update.
      But, the fact that the Nintendo NX might be region-free is a good sign that Nintendo is changing.

          1. Nintendo’s position?? It’s either being pro-consumer or anti-consumer with this matter. Go figure, Nintendo.

        1. Not really, if you say that then I guess it was too late for the Xbox 360 yet it was still region free. So yeah, it’s not really too late

              1. Oh. So it’s the 360 then. Figures but I’m still not going anywhere near an Xbox One. I rather shoot myself in the foot than touch that shit even for a $1 million check out of Spenser’s damage controlling ass.

        2. I totally agree, this kind of stuff gets on my nerves. Same old excuses.

          Here is reality, Nintendo. The PS3, PS4 and PS Vita are region free. The Xbox One is now fully region free also, unlike the Xbox 360. So what the hell is stopping them from making their new systems region free?

          It shouldn’t even be a consideration, it should be a definite yes, we will make our new systems region free. What issues does it pose? You don’t see Microsoft or Sony having problems with their systems because they’re region free.

          1. Their ONLY grand excuse is piracy which is no longer valid anymore because either it’s bound to happen anyway or there’s another clever way to stop it without hindering consumers.

            Right now, I’m just about tired of their shit and the I’m embarrassed to be a fan now that the fanbase has shown their true stupidity and hypocrisy over Splatoon’s lack of voice chat but forgotten that when third party ports on Nintendo does the same, guess what? They bitch to no end so why not Nintendo when they do it? Oh because they’re a “friendly company” or they’re just too much of a bitch to let go of what went down in Swapnote and prevent another incident from happening again which is bound to happen elsewhere anyway even on Wii U?

            Michelle, I may have been ridiculous before but now that I’m awake and have seen what they’ve become, I’m close to quitting on gaming on Nintendo or perhaps all gaming forever.

        3. Why is that? Better late than never right and it’s never too late to change. You can give up on Nintendo all you want to but other Nintendo supporters still think Nintendo can adapt and get with the times. Just be patient

          1. My ass and I have given up on my own fanbase and gaming platform I was a part of. I can’t deal with the stupid hypocrisy anymore.

            I wouldn’t call them “supporters” anymore. They’re now hypocrite herds of sheep now accepting Nintendo gimping games of vital and standard features while cursing out third parties doing the same. I’ve had enough.

          1. And if NX is still region locked? What then? Still gonna accept it up your ass while still complaining the next platform doing the same? Who’s the fucking hypocrite again?

      1. How is it hard wired into the console? A firmware update would sort it out. It’s just Nintendo laying thief sheep like fans lip service…..

        1. Nintendo always ads a chipset that is hard wired into the disc system which prevents copies from outside the region in which the console was sold in.

          1. Not really, at least not on the Nintendo Wii.
            Or how do you explain that all games work region lock free with a software mod?
            So it shouldn’t be a problem to update a system to be region lock free.
            They just don’t want it to be, because they should have to release games worldwide at the same time and if games are cheaper in other countries, some people would buy it there instead in their own.

            1. Okay, I’ll explain it for you.
              Remember the Reloader? It was created by the same guys who made the Action Replay. They developed a region free software that was able to get you access to games from around the world, especially on Gamecube, it basically overred the chip in the GameCube to trick it into thinking the disc inside was from the same region it was purchased from.

              Example:
              If I was to use the Reloader, I’d be able to play my American copy of Vutiful Joe on my Pal Region GameCube, but the GameCube still thinks it’s a Pal Region version.

              That’s how the software works, it only tricks the chip, it doesn’t make the system region free.

                1. They could but it wouldn’t work flawlessley, which would lead to even bricking some consoles and some unhappy costumers. Remember, that softmodding isn’t always safe.

      2. All that’s left for them to do to regain my trust is fixing YouTube copyright B.S. and making the N.X. ON PAR WITH current technology at the time of its release and not technology from 5 years prior. THEN, they will have regained me as at least somewhat trusting in Nintendo (talking about the company, not their games).

    2. Peanut Butter Kit Kat

      Region Locking on the 3DS is probably one of the most retarded things that Nintendo has ever done.

      1. Nintendo’s got quite the track record on retarded decisions
        The CDi,sticking with cartridges for N64,the Virtual Boy, making the original Wii ridiculously underpowered and now all the current stuff like YouTube,taking down ROM sites,region lock and voice chat

        I ain’t even mad.It’s actually pretty damn impressive how they fuck up with simple things/non issues

        1. I like the N64 and Virtual Boy. Also Phillips screwed up the CDi just like they’re trying to screw up the Wii U with patent trolling.

          1. Peanut Butter Kit Kat

            N64 was one of the best consoles ever made, a lot of landmark games were released on that system.

    3. They can’t offer it because the device is regulated by things like the FCC, if they change it by a update they would need to update that in a number of countries, while also updating contracts with 100s of developers. Other then tones of paper work. They would be doing it all to update a system that’s on its way out. It would be better to spend time figuring out how to update their dev tools to port over power PC games, so they can run on their new systems (as well as port IOS, Xbox, android, windows, and PS games / apps) as they are most likely (they would be foolish not to) move to X64 for mobile and X86 for home/TV

  1. Pingback: Iwata Updates Position On Region-Locking During Nintendo Investor Q&A | Symphonic Rhapsody

      1. No he hasn’t. I absolutely dispise Stranga’s slimey guts, but you are far from correct either dumbass…

    1. Goodbye and Good riddence. Do whatever you want, as long as you keep away from this website.
      #Sod off thestrangablog

        1. At him? Yes. Why? Because he’s bitter on every single comment he posts. I don’t have a problem with people that hate Nintendo, I have a problem with people that post angry comments all the time, like him.

  2. Nintendo Tetrarch Quadramus-NX

    >>>I don’t care much, just make it easier than it is today and I’ll be satisfied>>>

  3. Baby steps Nintendo, baby steps, better step to last and not trot that that tired you… but could you go faster with some things?

  4. This is great and all, but its the same thing we always hear from Reggie, shibata, and Iwata. “We hear you guys blah blah blah” and the next console is once again, region locked. I’ll believe it once I see it.

  5. Yes!! Only 10 years later, Nintendo is finally considering to get on par with the competition in relation to a feature people have been practically begging for!!!

  6. Region locking, along with some of Nintendo’s other hit-and-misses, is something I can never forgive Nintendo for. Why the heck should you care if I’m playing a game from Japan, you’re making money off of me either way. The investors pushed Nintendo into app games, and now they need to push Nintendo into region free gaming. Nintendo really enjoys missing out on money. Between the lack of voice chat or modern features in general, amiibos, gimmicks, region locking, lack of certain consoles in certain countries (N3DS), and their family friendly 24/7 attitude, Nintendo probably loses millions each year. They make GREAT games, but they get a lot of other things wrong.

  7. i don’t speak Japanese so i could care less also there screen ratio is different in i think and japan

  8. Iwata LIES! FALSE HOPE! I don’t believe Iwata will remove the Region Locking on the Nintendo consoles and hardware. Not realy buying into his statements about changing the Region Lock policy. I just don’t see any of this actually happening it would be nice if they did but I’m not a believer for this statement Iwata made. I just don’t see any changes.

    1. It is not Iwata’s policy, it’s Nintendo’s policy. Iwata has no say over the rules of Ninty’s policies only their board of directors do. Did you know that Iwata tried to put universal voice chat in the Wii U but was overruled by the board? If you wanna blame someone blame Nintendo’s board of directors because it’s their ridiculous decision making and them not getting with the times that’s hurting Nintendo as a whole but all of this finger-pointing at Iwata and putting all of the blame on him is just nonsensical

      1. I thought Iwata was part of the board? Huh,maybe they had a majority vote for that one :/
        I doubt Iwata has absolutely NO say in these matters. I’m sure he just doesn’t find them that important or/therefore isn’t pushing for these things to become reality.But hey,that’s just what I think

  9. So those make-belief issues that exist now could suddenly disappear on future hardware?…. Does this motherfucker think we were born yesterday? Fuck you, Iwata.

  10. europe is banning content locks on all media more so movies etc SO NETFLIX GETS ALL AMERICAN CONTENT its not nintendo its just were its going now

    they willhave to be open BY DEFAULT

    AND KINDLY STOP THE BSING LIKE ANY OF U BUY JAP GAMES PRETENDING YOU DO ON A WEB SITE

    1. dumb shit, realize the possibility of people wanting to import games IN THEIR OWN FUCKING LANGUAGE. Plenty of games have skipped releasing in Europe only, for whatever reason.

  11. Is this it? Has Iwata finally come to his senses? Is the Nintendo NX going to fix all the flaws that the Wii U has?! O_O

    1. Nintendo Tetrarch Quadramus-NX

      >>>Not unless the Nintendo Tribunal of Power decides not to, Lord Iwata may be the ruling cast but he does not have absolute power unfortunately which most think he does>>>

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