[Cheesemeister]

なお、Wii Uにはプレイできる地域が制限されるリージョンロック機能が搭載されており、その地域で販売されたソフト以外はプレイできない。

"What can be played on the Wii U is restricted by a region-lock feature; software not sold in the same region cannot be played."

Not surprising, but still very disappointing.

[Madao]

shocking news

[walking fiend]

I will be in Germany for 3months, this means at least 1 less Wii U purchase before next year; expected, but disappointing

[Lord Ghirahim]

Sad, but expected.

[NeOak]

It's Nintendo. Region Lock is their way to gouge JAP/EU/AUS vs US prices.

[Hoo-doo]

Such anti-consumer garbage.

[luokyl]

I'm still not over the 3DS region lock...

[Pineconn]

I wonder if it actually does curtail piracy like they claim it does.

[Kenka]

Just... screw you Nintendo.

Achievement unlocked: "basic consumer wish not fulfilled". Why? There are other ways to avoid localization problems.

[FrostuTheNinja]

Not a surprise, but a disappointment.

I'm still not over the 3DS region lock...

Neither am I. But do I really want to buy a Euro 3DS just to play Unlimited Cruise 1 & 2?

[Takao]

Company that region locks previous console (Wii), and previous 2 handhelds (DSi and 3DS) region locks new console. As others have said, disappointing but unsurprising news.

[cw_sasuke]

Would have been their first region free home console...maybe next time hehe....

[SparkTR]

why

[qq more]

I don't import games (except for that japan-only GBA MMBN game) but even I think this is stupid.

[Anteater]

Not surprising, still disappointed, considering I sometimes import US and JP games depending on which region they're localized in.

[Mr Swine]

Company that region locks previous console (Wii), and previous 2 handhelds (DSi and 3DS) region locks new console. As others have said, disappointing but unsurprising news.

Some seem to be really surprised by this announcement and just say F U Ninty lol

[richisawesome]

Just... fuck off Nintendo.

And Microsoft too, I guess? I wouldn't be surprised if they had the 720 totally locked down.

Anyway. USA, are you ready to be fucked over by NOA again when the Xenoblade followup is due out?

[Baconsammy]

Such anti-consumer garbage.

Just wait for the limited-play demos.

[Wario64]

Boycotting.

[TriGen]

All I can say is what's already been said. It is a bummer, but expected.

[chickdigger802]

Meh. It's not that big of a deal. Not like japan will magically get hd gaming any time soon.

Do get ready for operation rainfall HD though.

[Hiltz]

Like anyone is surprised by this. After hacking my Wii to play Xenoblade, I won't hesitate to do it on Wii U.

[SUPARSTARX]

Deal with it. This is the future. :(

[Jinfash]

Well this sucks.

[Linkhero1]

preorder canceled

[Onesimos]

I wonder if it actually does curtail piracy like they claim it does.

I think it benefits retailers so they will not compete against those from other countries.

Anyway, not surprising on the region-locking.

[Kafel]

the Freeloader team will be hard at work soon

[IrishNinja]

sadly unexpected...i kinda look at the PS3 not having done this as a special treat, vita makes me think we shouldn't expect any of the big 3 to do this again for a while. i mean, even higher-ups at Atlus cracked down here, i feel safe saying they think it's a very vocal minority that wants this, which is really a goddamn shame.

Anyway. USA, are you ready to be fucked over by NOA again when the Xenoblade followup is due out?

oh man, i wanna tell myself they'll take more chances this next gen cause of that, but between WU and 3DS, there's gonna be gems that get left overseas, i just know it.

[jman2050]

I'm thinking here, has Nintendo ever released a console (not handheld) that wasn't region locked in some fashion?

[FrostuTheNinja]

I'm really hoping Suda is going to completely fade in over the next couple of days...

[Lord Ghirahim]

I think it benefits retailers so they will not compete against those from other countries.

It doesn't really work when the rest of the EU imports from the UK.

[Buttons]

Really disappointing.... >.<

[KMD]

Just wait for the limited-play demos.

Oh man! Nothing worse than only getting to play a demo 30 times! Oh wait! That's more than enough to form an opinion on a game. Such a silly "burn" on your part.

[ugoo18]

*sigh* i expected this but still >_<

[Takao]

Some seem to be really surprised by this announcement and just say F U Ninty lol

Just because it's expected doesn't mean people can't be pissed off.

[richisawesome]

the Freeloader team will be hard at work soon

By freeloader team you mean Team Twiizers, then I hope so.

Nintendo seems to have got their shit locked down now though...the 3DS is a fucking fortress.

[Erethian]

oh man, i wanna tell myself they'll take more chances this next gen cause of that, but between WU and 3DS, there's gonna be gems that get left overseas, i just know it.

At least they have the option of an eShop only release this time.

[reptilescorpio]

Global market.

[Sintoid]

If distribution will be good enough in each region it's not a problem... but I higly doubt about it...

[monome]

the tears if Bayo 2 does not release worlwide at the same time...

[slaughterking]

sadly unexpected...i kinda look at the PS3 not having done this as a special treat, vita makes me think we shouldn't expect any of the big 3 to do this again for a while. i mean, even higher-ups at Atlus cracked down here, i feel safe saying they think it's a very vocal minority that wants this, which is really a goddamn shame.

Which makes it even more stupid. How much damage can a minority really do? And isn't this exactly the minority you would rather not piss off?
I hate this. >:I

[Mihael Mello Keehl]

the tears if Bayo 2 does not release worlwide at the same time...

*grumble* *grumble* *grumble* NO!!!!!

[shink]

Terrible.
For Australian 3DS users, does it lock games specifically to AU or just PAL so UK games can be purchased?

[richisawesome]

At least they have the option of an eShop only release this time.

Wario Land 2 and Picross E say hi

Out in JP and EU for a while now...USA? No, because NOA.

[Schrade]

I'm really hoping Suda is going to completely fade in over the next couple of days...

I always thought that was Jackie Chan.. rofl.

[blu]

Just wait for the limited-play demos.

Nah, I'd rather wait for the time-expiring demos.. Oops.

[Artemisia]

Region locking is so annoying.

[Pie and Beans]

Come on then hackers, get over any of that Nintendo nostalgia and make this your priority box to crack wide open.

Simply unacceptable, and a lot more more furore should be generated and displayed about this than there will be.

[toddhunter]

Terrible. For Australian 3DS users, does it lock games specifically to AU or just PAL so UK games can be purchased?

3DS is locked to PAL, so you can buy from the UK.

I still want it confirmed that the Wii U is the same. I'm waiting for an Australian NZ region. Somebody is going to do it, just a question of time.

[Takao]

sadly unexpected...i kinda look at the PS3 not having done this as a special treat, vita makes me think we shouldn't expect any of the big 3 to do this again for a while. i mean, even higher-ups at Atlus cracked down here, i feel safe saying they think it's a very vocal minority that wants this, which is really a goddamn shame.

Vita's retail games are region free, as were PSP's, and PS3's. Sony's stupid PSN account stuff is because they view handhelds as 1 per person, thus only 1 account needed. They view consoles as family devices, hence more than 1 account. PS4 won't be region locked.