Wii U games to be region-locked
Posted by
SpectralShock
on
The Nintendo Wii U will be region-locked, preventing the playing of games imported from other regions, Nintendo has confirmed.
The publisher first made it known to Japanese magazine Famitsu, where the comment was translated. Nintendo has since further clarified the news to various global news outlets.
“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,” the publisher said.
Being region-locked means that games purchased on a certain continent cannot be played outside of that region. So games bought in Europe cannot be played on a console in North America, for example.
The Wii was region locked as well. Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 can vary, but it is usually up to the publisher rather than the console makers to lock out their games.
The publisher first made it known to Japanese magazine Famitsu, where the comment was translated. Nintendo has since further clarified the news to various global news outlets.
“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,” the publisher said.
Being region-locked means that games purchased on a certain continent cannot be played outside of that region. So games bought in Europe cannot be played on a console in North America, for example.
The Wii was region locked as well. Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 can vary, but it is usually up to the publisher rather than the console makers to lock out their games.