Nintendo 3DS Region Locked

It’s expected that the much anticipated and long awaited, Nintendo 3DS console will be region locked. This means that Nintendo 3DS software will only work on the corresponding region’s console.

nintendo 3ds region locked

This might not be good news for those of you hoping to import the console when it is released first in Japan on February 26. It will also be disappointing for those who want to sample the games that won’t make it over to their own country.


An email from Nintendo of Japan, was spotted and translated by NeoGAF. It seems to confirm the region locking rumour. While region-locking has been common on home consoles (although Sony’s PS3 is an exception), portable, hand held systems have historically been free from the restriction – until Nintendo DS & DSi changed the trend.