DSi software to be region locked after all

Over the past few days, there has been some confusion over whether or not the DSi would be region-locked, and if so, what parts of the handheld will be restricted. The dust has finally settled, however, and it is now safe to report that the DSi will be partially locked. A Nintendo statement notes that, sadly, that DSi software will be region-locked. “DSi is region locked because DSi embeds net communication functionality within itself, and we are intending to provide net services specifically tailored for each region.” Nintendo intends to include a parental controls system in the DSi, which is one of the main reasons the software will be locked to each region.

However, regular DS titles that are playable in the original model from 2004 and the DS Lite from 2006 will not be region-locked. Personally, I would have preferred the whole system to be region-free, though I suppose it’s better than nothing!