DS region free

DS News | Play DS games from anywhere in the world.

As some had expected, Nintendo have just confirmed that the Nintendo DS will be region free - allowing it to play games purchased anywhere in the world.

This is definitely good news if you plan to import a DS from overseas, and gives peace of mind to those who want to buy DS games no matter where you are in the world.

Feel free to scream with delight. We'd advise you do it quietly, though.

Related Content

Win one of five copies of V8 Supercars 3: Create & Race
31 Aug, 2007 Enter and (possibly) win.

Exit escapes to the DS
28 Aug, 2007 Third time's a charm.

Zoo Tycoon 2 coming to Nintendo DS
21 Aug, 2007 THQ announces sequel, including new Zookeeper mode.

21 Comments

Big Pete

7 years ago

Great News.

When does the NDS come out to America again?

Will it be out in time to be imported to Australia?

Mark

7 years ago

The NDS is released in the states on November 21st. Australia won't be getting it until later Q1 2005. I suggest everyone, who's a fan of Nintendo, to import.

This is good news to hear that Nintendo has confirmed this information though, even though it was very predictable. Still nice to hear though.

Also to keep every importer's heart at ease. You will be able to use your GBA 'SP' battery charger on your NDS, no power transformer necessary.

Dark Raven

7 years ago

Even though I dislike Nintendo and all of their products/games/pok'emon, I will give the thumbs up on this, I hope Sony and Microsoft follow suite with thier consoles.

Quin

7 years ago

I'm gonna poke Sandrah to import me a JP DS

Big Pete

7 years ago

Ok it's settled.

My Christmas Present will be a Nintendo DS.

Gtpod

7 years ago

Woohoo~

I'll get a DS, save enough for 2 DS games and 1 or 2 Xbox games I expect.

*runs to lik sang to preorder*

Hyperworm

7 years ago

In addition to the games, the wireless function is now also confirmed to be region free (i.e. US, UK, and Japanese DSs can wirelessly interact with one another).

I am rapidly running out of reasons to wait till the UK launch, and the reasons to import are climbing. I might end up getting a DS this Christmas.

armageddon12

7 years ago

Will the wireless functions built into the games work wirelessly though? As in the multiplayer features. If someone can confirm this I don't think I will be waiting for the UK release.

Hyperworm

7 years ago

armageddon12 wrote

Will the wireless functions built into the games work wirelessly though?

I think it's pretty safe to say that the wireless functions will work wirelessly...

I'm not quite sure what you're saying there, but as I posted above, DSs of different regions can communicate fine, apparently

The only problem I have is that my brother and I are gonna have to get Metroid Prime 2, Paper Mario 2, possibly Minish Cap, one DS each, Mario 64 and Mr. Driller (respectively) for something to play at Christmas, followed shortly by Advance Wars and Metroid Prime Hunters in early January...
All in such a short timeframe!

I think my wallet is going to explode.

Gtpod

7 years ago

Bah to Minish Cap and Mr. Driller!

Hyperworm

7 years ago

I got January from Import Madness, but ... I just realised that GameSpot doesn't have confirmed US dates for them... am I wrong about the release dates here?

IGN also back up the "no release dates" yet idea... this is bad and good at the same time.

Gtpod

7 years ago

*shakes e-fist at import madness*

I was a bit sceptical when I saw the dates, but I assumed they'd been confirmed.. And so many of them being at the same time is a bit sus...

armageddon12

7 years ago

Hyperworm wrote

armageddon12 wrote

Will the wireless functions built into the games work wirelessly though?

I think it's pretty safe to say that the wireless functions will work wirelessly...

I'm not quite sure what you're saying there, but as I posted above, DSs of different regions can communicate fine, apparently

What I am saying is; will I be able to play the mutliplayer games that use multiple game carts against my friends if I import those games and they don't? I guess if Super Mario 64 and Mr. Driller uses single cart multiplayer that would be good enough, do they?

Does Feel the Game XX-XY have a multiplayer?

Hyperworm

7 years ago

I was under the impression that all multiplayer aspects of most games would only require one cart from now on (except for obvious ones like Pokémon, which might require game data from multiple players).

...But for the ones that do use multiple carts... I guess it might depend on the game...
I can't really forsee any problems between UK/AUS and US games.

You may possibly have some problems trying to link UK/AUS/US and Japanese games, but I'm not sure...?

You shouldn't have to worry about that for the minute, anyway.

Gtpod

7 years ago

Yeah, who'd play with Quin anyway.

Quin

7 years ago

GTPod wrote

Yeah, who'd play with Quin anyway.

Mark

7 years ago

armageddon12 wrote

Hyperworm wrote

armageddon12 wrote

Will the wireless functions built into the games work wirelessly though?

I think it's pretty safe to say that the wireless functions will work wirelessly...

I'm not quite sure what you're saying there, but as I posted above, DSs of different regions can communicate fine, apparently

Yes you will be able to. Nintendo has confirmed that the DS will be able to connect to other DS's and download the multiplayer content from a single person's DS and the game. So they don't even need the games to play most of the multiplayer games.

And if your friends don't import the games and you do it won't make a difference what so ever since the software on the DS, and all Game Boys, are exactly the same. It's just like PCs, it's only the hardware that differs from country to country.

Anonymous

7 years ago

so if i imported a ds from america i could still buy games in briton and i could still charge my battery up using a british sp charger

Gtpod

7 years ago

Yes.

Hyperworm

7 years ago

the_devils_son88 wrote

And if your friends don't import the games and you do it won't make a difference what so ever since the software on the DS, and all Game Boys, are exactly the same. It's just like PCs, it's only the hardware that differs from country to country.

I read the exact opposite; that the hardware of the DS was identical in all regions. But anyway...
How can you say that the software on the DS and on GBA is exactly the same in all regions?

I didn't see a Japanese language option in my copy of Pokemon Sapphire...

Mark

7 years ago

There's a language change function for the DS, not too sure if all languages are listed though. But it would be great if there was - would be nice to get some games several months before anywhere else in the world.

View as forum topic

Add Comment