Region Free Gaming the Key to Winning the Console War

***wraggster*** · December 2nd, 2006, 02:06

When you look at the handhelds PSP, GBA and Nintendo DS you see 3 consoles that have region free gaming and they are a major success because gamers who want to play games from other regions can do so.

Then you look at the Consoles Xbox 360, Wii and PS3. Strange that Nintendo went with region encoding when they have had the massive success with the GBA and DS, Microsoft have some region free but why not all, then we go to PS3 and Sony have got this right, region free games for their console..

Isnt it time that all consoles were region free in todays small world ?

**DdevL** · December 2nd, 2006, 02:49

YES every console should be region free!!! WE have all missed out on great import games because of this!!! Does anyone know about playing ps1 and ps2 imports on ps3? That might be worth the price of admission for me+

**Basil Zero** · December 2nd, 2006, 03:02

its thanks to region free that i was able to play some of the games i have for psp from euro

**Jpdeathblade** · December 2nd, 2006, 03:53

I dont even think that 95% of gamers know what that means....
But to be honest for those who do, ya it wins the war =P

**Jonesyxxiv** · December 2nd, 2006, 04:09

So if PS3 is region free was was sony tring to stop people from exporting games?

**iniquitous_beast** · December 2nd, 2006, 04:10

Wraggster, you and I both know that the gba, psp, and DS are popular for far more reasons than the fact that they are region-free. Besides, as stated above, most gamers won't even know about the cool games available overseas.

Region lockouts only become an issue when game companies decide to deny good games to certain regions. That is why the Saturn had such a great import scene. If Nintendo brings its worthwhile games to America, and other English-speaking nations, then there will be no need to play imports. Of course, I'm willing to bet that the Wii just uses a software-based system lockout, which will be easily bypassed by means of a boot disk in given time.

**mnuhaily22** · December 2nd, 2006, 04:28

Well ya, my PSP is region free and I love it, but my 360 aint, and I hate that, since I ive indubai and my 360 is American.

**the_eternal_dark** · December 2nd, 2006, 04:45

Originally Posted by mnuhaily22

Well ya, my PSP is region free and I love it, but my 360 aint, and I hate that, since I ive indubai and my 360 is American.

That sucks, but I know how you feel. I had a Jap 360 right up until it overheated and died and could only play a few worthwhile US games (Gun being one of them).

I'm glad my PSP and DSLite are region free. I'll be getting FFVII when it releases in Japan. I already have the new Pokemon games for the DS (totally awsome btw).