Sep 16, 2006 11:55 PM

Wii Not Region-Free

A representative of Nintendo's European division has told Engagdet that contrary to previous reports, the Wii will not be region-free: UK General Manager David Yarnton seems to think that Wii games and online content will be region-encoded, locking out European gamers from US and Japan titles, with the same being true in reverse. A Nintendo […]

A representative of Nintendo's European division has told Engagdet that contrary to previous reports, the Wii will not be region-free:

UK General Manager David Yarnton seems to think that Wii games and online content will be region-encoded, locking out European gamers from US and Japan titles, with the same being true in reverse.

A Nintendo of America representative confirmed this to Joystiq yesterday, saying, "We've heard conflicting reports from lots of folks out there, but can tell you that Wii will be region encoded, as will first-party software."

Nintendo of America vice president of marketing Perrin Kaplan had told a Wired News reporter Thursday that Nintendo's first party games would not have region locks.

NOA then confirmed this news to GameSpot, telling the site, "Wii will be region free."

Wired News apologizes for the confusion, although the starkly conflicting nature of these comments means that we have, perhaps, not heard the last on this matter. We will continue to update if any more developments occur.

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