Nintendo Defends Region-Locking on Consoles

Nintendo has explained why its console hardware has traditionally included - and will likely continue to include - region lock-out technology, following the rise of a consumer campaign to get the Japanese company to remove restrictions in its 3DS and Wii U platforms.

"I hope that game fans can understand that the industry isn’t doing this solely out of business ego," Iwata said in an interview with IGN. "There are some reasons behind it. From some people’s perspective, it might seem like a kind of restriction.

"However, we hope people can appreciate the fact that we’re selling our products worldwide. There are many different regions around the world, and each region has its own cultural acceptance and legal restrictions, as well as different age ratings. There are always things that we’re required to do in each different region, which may go counter to the idea that players around the world want the freedom to play whatever they want."

A petition asking Nintendo to remove region locking in its consoles has gained over 19,000 supporters on Change.org. Sony and Microsoft has committed to unlocking their next-generation consoles to allow for import gaming.