Nintendo DS: Region free confirmed - Plus new wireless details inside
Portable stance maintained 15 years on
Nintendo America has moved to confirm that the firm’s looming DS portable console will be region-free, in news that sees the firm maintain its stance on non-static hardware 15 years after the original Game Boy launched.
In a letter doing the rounds from the US office, Nintendo said, “The Nintendo DS will be a universal system that can be played anywhere on the planet. Further, it can play games purchased anywhere. Please note, however, that accessories purchased in different parts of the world may not be compatible with the Nintendo DS you purchase.”
Which is great news, opening up the expected slew of Japan-only hilarity (complete with low price tag) to those of a milk and meat disposition in the West. As you may know, Nintendo has hinted that in its native Japan, it may look to trial smaller gaming experiences for the DS to be launched at a lower pricepoint than the full-scale games we have already seen.
And this news piles yet more pressure on Sony Computer Entertainment to reveal anything tangible about its PSP strategy. If the firm is playing a wait-and-see game with Nintendo, it now surely has all the information on its competitor to make any last-minute decisions and move accordingly.
In other news, SPOnG has learned that the Nintendo DS’ wireless functionality will also be completely region free. This will enable US machines to talk to Japanese and European machines and so on, meaning that you will be able to make friends anywhere in the world by drawing a rude picture and beaming it to a stranger via PictoChat.
In a letter doing the rounds from the US office, Nintendo said, “The Nintendo DS will be a universal system that can be played anywhere on the planet. Further, it can play games purchased anywhere. Please note, however, that accessories purchased in different parts of the world may not be compatible with the Nintendo DS you purchase.”
Which is great news, opening up the expected slew of Japan-only hilarity (complete with low price tag) to those of a milk and meat disposition in the West. As you may know, Nintendo has hinted that in its native Japan, it may look to trial smaller gaming experiences for the DS to be launched at a lower pricepoint than the full-scale games we have already seen.
And this news piles yet more pressure on Sony Computer Entertainment to reveal anything tangible about its PSP strategy. If the firm is playing a wait-and-see game with Nintendo, it now surely has all the information on its competitor to make any last-minute decisions and move accordingly.
In other news, SPOnG has learned that the Nintendo DS’ wireless functionality will also be completely region free. This will enable US machines to talk to Japanese and European machines and so on, meaning that you will be able to make friends anywhere in the world by drawing a rude picture and beaming it to a stranger via PictoChat.
Companies:
Nintendo
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Comments
ozfunghi 18 Oct 2004 14:11
1/6
"...meaning that you will be able to make friends anywhere in the world by drawing a rude picture and beaming it to a stranger via PictoChat."
Could you guys confirm this please? I was under the impression that Pictochat supports only up to 16 people in a Local Network for users within 100 ft of each other, and that it wouldn't connect to the net.
M
Could you guys confirm this please? I was under the impression that Pictochat supports only up to 16 people in a Local Network for users within 100 ft of each other, and that it wouldn't connect to the net.
M
twitt 18 Oct 2004 15:03
2/6
could be like mobile phones?
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DiGi 18 Oct 2004 15:59
3/6
the way i understood was indeed that 16 people will be able to be in LAN and send eachother pics within a range of 100ft/30m
there were (theoretical) rumours however of being able to connect your DS to a wire-network and send messages or even play with someone across the globe.
now, although i'd like to see a slightly larger range i don't think you'll be able to send something further than 100ft.
there were (theoretical) rumours however of being able to connect your DS to a wire-network and send messages or even play with someone across the globe.
now, although i'd like to see a slightly larger range i don't think you'll be able to send something further than 100ft.
Joji 18 Oct 2004 16:32
4/6
I think it's great that Nintendo are running with the region free biz for the DS, even when they used to be so hush about the facy that previous Nintendo hand helds could do the same thing. Nice to see the encourage us to play import too, cause it would have happened anyway. It all adds to the DS appeal factor.
I expect the Pictochat DS stuff would work along the same idea as bluetooth stuff does with mobile phones. It would search for any DSs within a certain range and give you a list of people available. With mobiles this can also work in several languages and possibly further distances, but it would be cool if DS could do the same thing with internet access via wi-fi than just the LAN stuff.
Either way it's all looking good in the Nintendo hood.
Now if they could encourage us to import games for GC, if it's games we are not likely to buy or play then that would be nice too. Hey, I can dream can't I?
I expect the Pictochat DS stuff would work along the same idea as bluetooth stuff does with mobile phones. It would search for any DSs within a certain range and give you a list of people available. With mobiles this can also work in several languages and possibly further distances, but it would be cool if DS could do the same thing with internet access via wi-fi than just the LAN stuff.
Either way it's all looking good in the Nintendo hood.
Now if they could encourage us to import games for GC, if it's games we are not likely to buy or play then that would be nice too. Hey, I can dream can't I?
Kaxxx 19 Oct 2004 11:22
5/6
At the end of the day though all handhelds have to be region free due to the portability of it i.e taking it on hols etc.
It is good news though.
It is good news though.
ss 24 Apr 2009 08:24
6/6
kk