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Burnburn · Dec 25, 2012

Good job Nintendo. This is really stupid.

BlackJace · Dec 25, 2012

This is the definition of "Because Nintendo".

Zee-Row · Dec 25, 2012

What happens when you hook a Japanese Wii U to an American TV?

MrDaravon · Dec 25, 2012

Realistically this is probably a complete and utter non-issue for 99.9999999999% of consumers, but it's still kind of hilarious.

Deleted member 17706 · Dec 25, 2012

Region-locked controllers. So hilariously ridiculous I don't know what to do.

It's like they thought of every way they could make the Wii U an unappealing system and went with it.

metalslimer · Dec 25, 2012

Zee-Row said:
What happens when you hook a Japanese Wii U to an American TV?

TVs aren't region locked...

Pharros · Dec 25, 2012

Well there goes my plans of collecting all the different region gamepads..

maquiladora · Dec 25, 2012

Uh...why would they even bother putting time into doing that?

'Menu navigation is slow as hell? Oh, nevermind that, get back to work on making sure those controllers are region locked!'

donkey show · Dec 25, 2012

Zee-Row said:
What happens when you hook a Japanese Wii U to an American TV?

I have an EU one connected to a US TV and they've region locked my inputs and Freeview.

it works fine

Zee-Row · Dec 25, 2012

metalslimer said:
TVs aren't region locked...

I'm sure Nintendo would find a way to make their consoles detect that.

kobashi100 · Dec 25, 2012

Its only a problem once nintendo start selling gamepads @ retail if they ever do. A very small % of people may pick up a gampad when traveling in another region.

Shocked that nintendo went to so much trouble though.

NewFresh · Dec 25, 2012

GQman2121 said:
What could possibly be the reason for that? It's not even that large of a disparity.

That's what is so weird about it. Such a small size difference makes it seem ridiculous to have to manufacture different cases.

Kagari · Dec 25, 2012

I can't see how anyone would defend this.

saunderez · Dec 25, 2012

Thoraxes said:
How is it anti-consumer when you can't even buy one separately?

I can buy a Japanese Wii U (unfortunately Nintendo can't prevent that) and the controllers won't be cross compatible with my other console due to a seemingly needless restriction. Seems anti consumer to me.

Projectjustice · Dec 25, 2012

I see no reason why this would effect anyone.

LiK · Dec 25, 2012

Thoraxes said:
How is it anti-consumer when you can't even buy one separately?

they plan on selling them separately next year.

Gleethor · Dec 25, 2012

There has to be some kind of legal reason, what other purpose would this serve? Also LOL at the overreactions.

jooey · Dec 25, 2012

Kagari said:
I can't see how anyone would defend this.

I can't see how anyone would care.

Drago · Dec 25, 2012

Are they really serious with this? I mean WOW

What is the point

Bgamer90 · Dec 25, 2012

Heh, wow. This is one of those cases in which the whole popular "...because Nintendo" line actually works. I can't think of anything else to say as to why they would do this.

7threst · Dec 25, 2012

DUFFMCWALIN said:
LOL. I was thinking about buying a Wii U tomorrow, but I think I'm gonna save my money. What a messed up launch its been.

So... you were planning to import a controller or something?

Mihael Mello Keehl · Dec 25, 2012

Kagari said:
I can't see how anyone would defend this.

Theres nothing to defend though.

Drkirby · Dec 25, 2012

Well, that's annoying. Not to much of a surprise though, Gamecube memory cards were region locked too.

metalslimer · Dec 25, 2012

Kagari said:
I can't see how anyone would defend this.

Not really defensibe, but I also don't see who this affects.

An-Det · Dec 25, 2012

It wont affect most people, but it is kind of absurd that they bothered to do this.

Beelzebub · Dec 25, 2012

Because it truly doesn't matter.

Gleethor · Dec 25, 2012

saunderez said:
I can buy a Japanese Wii U (unfortunately Nintendo can't prevent that) and the controllers won't be cross compatible with my other console due to a seemingly needless restriction. Seems anti consumer to me.

If you buy a japanese Wii U it will come with the only controller from that region that you need.

Ryoku · Dec 25, 2012

jooey said:
I can't see how anyone would care.

ThisIsGaf

Zeroth · Dec 25, 2012

Kagari said:
I can't see how anyone would defend this.

Too late.

EloquentM · Dec 25, 2012

Kagari said:
I can't see how anyone would defend this.

Honestly I can't see how it's not a non-issue for the majority of people owning the console.

Omikaru · Dec 25, 2012

This is beyond any expression I could possibly put into words.

There is no excuse for this. Absolutely none.

crinale · Dec 25, 2012

I read the article. It really says that you can actually connect US controller to Japanese Wii U, or vice versa. However, the online update (didn't know it actually updates controller's firmware) recognizes the region of the controller and prevents you to progress.

ntropy · Dec 25, 2012

ColdBlooder · Dec 25, 2012

test_account said:
Which rules would this be? Honest question, i've never heard of different rules for transfering an image wireless.

Because you cannot transmit on the same frequency all around the world, because some frequencies are reserved to other stuff on other countries. And you actually need a certificate (At least in Germany, iirc) for stuff thats transmitting...

Don´t know alot about that stuff. But that could be a reason.

jimi_dini · Dec 25, 2012

7threst said:
So... you were planning to import a controller or something?

I imported one white PS3 controller from Asia, because they didn't sell them here at that time. So if Nintendo ever releases some special controller in one region only, there would be a reason to do so.

jaz013 · Dec 25, 2012

Are the trolls for Atomix.vg coming here now? J/k...

I don't see the issue since you have to buy the damn thing along the console right now. Maybe it could be a problem if one region will not carry these separately in the future, but otherwise?, what's the problem?

i-Lo · Dec 25, 2012

Kagari said:
I can't see how anyone would defend this.

Already happened in the first page.

Personally, I wasn't going to buy a WiiU anyway, but while in theory this is seems like an unnecessary high handed to approach to accomplish something (what is it I wonder) there are very few instances where an actual consumer may be affected.

Gospel · Dec 25, 2012

I imported a Wavebird years ago because I had a bunch of playasia coupons to use.

Never had to use the word bonkers in my life but damn, this is bonkers.

18-Volt · Dec 25, 2012

Since when do we import controllers from Japan? It's clear that Nintendo don't want us westerners to buy or use stuff they made for their fellow Japanese customers. We have to deal with this. It's not like price difference is a lots between regions.

Sony and Microsoft don't do thing like this, because, y'know, they don't care about Japan anymore.

metalslimer · Dec 25, 2012

Actually the only people I can think this would affect would be people who move back and forth between regions and when 2 player support comes in on the few games that will support it, someone brings their American gamepad over to try and play.

I read the article. It really says that you can actually connect US controller to Japanese Wii U, or vice versa. However, the online update (didn't know it actually updates controller's firmware) recognizes the region of the controller and prevents you to progress.

So it actually it is a firmware issue.

wurstkind · Dec 25, 2012

Delusibeta · Dec 25, 2012

But seriously, aside from the standard discriminatory pricing reason (which probably sufficient for most people), I can't think of a reason why this would be too much of a problem.

Kaako · Dec 25, 2012

Ahahah this is just, wow. Well played, Nintendo.

liger05 · Dec 25, 2012

The reason for this would be what?

I hate all the region locking but this doesnt really effect anyone does it.

TheSeks · Dec 25, 2012

Killthee said:
Region locked controllers!?!?!?

https://i.minus.com/iMbTrk0EVIGKz.gif

To be fair: Why not ~~Zoidburg~~ controllers? They already region lock their games and the online services (well, DS anyway) had region-specific matchmaking in some games, might as well go whole hog and region lock the controllers.

liger05 said:
The reason for this would be what?

To prevent us dirty importers from getting a cheaper gamepad. Wait, what?

Phoenician_Viking · Dec 25, 2012

Ahahahahah. Locking controllers now? Hahahahahahaha.

hwy_61 · Dec 25, 2012

HoHOHHHH

Oh jeez.

saunderez · Dec 25, 2012

Eric C said:
Yeah, I'm wondering if they use a slightly different wireless standard for each region.

Don't see how that's even an issue when every wireless router I've ever used let's me pick a region that enforces any local wireless standards (channels etc)

VeryGooster · Dec 25, 2012

Different standards across regions for image transfer/wireless communication?

I'm not surprised by this but I couldn't care less.

dark_prinny · Dec 25, 2012

Mihael Mello Keehl said:
Theres nothing to defend though.

But there is another reason for complain of people who doesn't even have the system and
has 0 plans to get one. But, hey It's cool to hate.

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