3DS Locked In Every Region

Nintendo Japan has issued a statement confirming the Nintendo 3DS will be region locked. There will be three different Nintendo 3DS models, each one being assigned to either Australia/Europe, America or Japan.
This means unlike the Nintendo DS, we no longer have the option of importing and playing games from other regions. Pokémon titles are released in Japan six or more months before they are localised in English, due to region locking we can no longer play the Japanese versions on our Nintendo 3DS systems. I guess this means we will have to learn to be more patient when the inevitable Pokémon “Grey” Version is released.

Nintendo has developed different versions of Nintendo 3DS hardware to take into account different languages, age rating requirements and parental control functionality as well as to ensure compliance with local laws in each region. Nintendo 3DS also offers network services specifically tailored for each region.
Additionally we want to ensure the best possible gaming experience for our users and there is the possibility that Nintendo 3DS software sold in one region will not function properly when running on Nintendo 3DS hardware sold in another.

Nintendo America and Europe will both be holding Nintendo 3DS media events on Wednesday January 19th, early Thursday morning for Australia due to time difference. Stay tuned to Imcooliesashbunnews for Nintendo 3DS coverage on Thursday as the events happen.