Nintendo Dragging Its Feet On 3DS Region-Free Issue

8 responses to “Nintendo Dragging Its Feet On 3DS Region-Free Issue”

1. 

   WiseHacker

   January 19, 2011 at 8:04 am

   Like a few others, I am not taking any chances.

   I am importing a US handheld. Given that the AUD is constantly hovering around the parity point, it should cost me half as much as it would if I purchased locally.

   And yes, this is even with postage, even if I payed top dollar for UPS or FedEX.

   Reply
2. 

   Braaains

   January 19, 2011 at 9:54 am

   “Nintendo 3DS also offers network services specifically tailored for each region”

   History tells us that probably means an Australian store with about 50% or less of the content of the US store, but significantly higher prices.

   Reply
   1. 

      Alinos

      January 19, 2011 at 10:07 am

      thats the govts fault though not nintendo’s

      if the govt didn’t mandate that they all be rated, they wouldn’t not release stuff.

      and while they could be ripping us off on the price as well im guessing they have also tried to recoup there classification fee(incase it doesn’t sell as well as they think and then they just leave it at that price

      Reply
      1. 

         WiseHacker

         January 19, 2011 at 11:08 am

         I do not wish to be rude, but I think you will find that it is the fault of both parties.

         True, the government requires all games to be rated – relax I am not going into the need for an R18 rating – the other problem I see is if Nintendo does not deem the market here worth while.

         Take Chrono Cross and Chrono Trigger. Classification wise, both would get a MA and PG rating, easy. But, if Nintendo does see numbers supporting the sale, the game will not get released.

         That is where the real problem is – if the numbers are not there, the game is not distributed.

         Reply
         1. 

            Steven Janjic

            January 19, 2011 at 7:31 pm

            While major publishers sometimes just don’t see a market, the bigger concern is in classification costs. At the moment there is no distinction between a small indie project made by 2 guys in their basement vs a major studio release – they both get charged the same large sum for a classification in Australia. For many of these smaller devs/publishers, Australian DSiWare/WiiWare sales simply wouldn’t bring in revenue to cover their classification costs. This is why Nintendo’s digital distribution platforms are smaller than Europe/US.

            Reply
3. 

   Powalen

   January 19, 2011 at 9:55 am

   To be honest, I’m not that worried anymore about the region-lock. What I was most worried about was that Australia would become a separate region in-itself. At least this way I can still import from the UK while still giving me the option of buying locally.

   Reply
   1. 

      WiseHacker

      January 19, 2011 at 11:04 am

      I would not say that too loud.

      There is still a chance that Nintendo will do just. So far, we got lucky as the PAL region spans Europe, Australia and other countries I cannot recall off the top of my head.

      Either way, as it is clear there is a form of region lock in the handheld, I am importing mine. I have finally had enough of Australia being used a means of recouping development costs.

      Reply
      1. 

         Powalen

         January 19, 2011 at 11:25 am

         With all these recent announcements by Nintendo about the 3DS, I’m planning to wait a little while after launch before I buy one anyway. (The launch games were the biggest factor in this though)

         If Australia does indeed get singled-out even more, I’ll probably be importing as well.

         Reply