During the Nintendo Switch presentation broadcast live from Tokyo on Jan. 12, Nintendo's current president Tatsumi Kimishima revealed that the company's newest gaming console would be free from the restrictive region locking. The move will enable the gaming system to cater to a wider user base.
This is great news for all gamers and importers since this would mean less headache when it comes to importing suitable games for the system.
Nintendo will not apply region-locking to #NintendoSwitch software.
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 13, 2017
The company also announced that the Nintendo Switch will be retailing for $299.99 and see a worldwide release on March 3. Gamers who want to purchase or trade up their consoles may want to read our suggestions on how to get the cash to do so.
#NintendoSwitch arrives worldwide on March 3, 2017! pic.twitter.com/rGp1pot9w9 — Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 13, 2017
#NintendoSwitch will be available for $299.99. pic.twitter.com/Dwgduo0sT7
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 13, 2017
Nintendo and Region Locking. The practice of region locking game consoles is considered by gamers as a huge limitation since games purchased in one territory might not work in their console if these were purchased in another territory.
There are 80 titles in active development for #NintendoSwitch. — Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) January 13, 2017
Nintendo fans know very well that the region locking of Nintendo's gaming systems is a cause of frustration, especially for those who wish to purchase and build up an extensive library for their gaming pleasure.
Nintendo initially applied region locking to adhere to each region's cultural and age restrictions.
Some of Nintendo's more recent consoles, the WiiU and Nintendo 3DS, are region locked systems; players would usually have to wait awhile for games to be released in their own regions to ensure that they would be compatible with their devices.
Of course, the gaming world is also fast-paced, so being forced to wait while players in other territories are already in the middle of, or finished with, the game becomes a turnoff and may even cost player interest.
Why Nintendo Opted For Region Locking In The Past
In 2013, Nintendo's then-president Satoru Iwata explained that Nintendo's practice of region locking consoles would most likely continue despite petitions from gamers to do away with it.
"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," Iwata clarified in an interview. "There are always things that we're required to do in each different region [...] I hope that game fans can understand that the industry isn't doing this solely out of business ego."
For more Nintendo Switch news straight from the source, watch the video below.
