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Wii U Gamepads are region locked LOL


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#1 Hari

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Posted 25 December 2012 - 02:52 PM

Apparently region locking the console wasn't enough: Rocket News has learned that Nintendo has gone a step further and region locked the actual GamePads as well.
In reality, unless you have a lot of relatives visiting from out of the country, bringing in their GamePads for a console that currently only supports one GamePad, I don't see this being an issue.

If Nintendo ever ends up updating the Wii U to support two GamePads though, it's something to be aware of if you're traveling. Either way it's an odd find, and I'd be interested in hearing a justification for it.


Wario64: Risking an "old news" reaction since I saw this hours ago, but I haven't seen a thread yet


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http://rocketnews24.com/2012/12/25/279608/
http://www.destructoid.com/uh-what-wii-u-gamepads-are-also-region-locked-241255.phtml#JXsxueDmrxqoGsCV.99



#2 The Lonely Koopa

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Posted 25 December 2012 - 02:57 PM

Beautiful Nintendo just Beautiful.

#3 Nollog

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Posted 25 December 2012 - 02:59 PM

I see you got excited and made it twice. :P

Stupid, as usual.
Nintendo will probably come up with the excuse of FDA(?) regulations and whatever there is in Europe/Japan incompatibilities etc.
BS, as usual.

Edited by Nollog, 25 December 2012 - 03:00 PM.

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#4 Hank Hill

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Posted 25 December 2012 - 03:07 PM

It's rather like the writer said. While this is rather silly, this shouldn't be an issue whatsoever.

I mean, seriously, not only is there no real reason to own two gamepads yet, why would you bother spending the extra time and money trying to import one?

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#5 Sage

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Posted 25 December 2012 - 03:08 PM

The excuse will be that the GP software is different for each region making it incompatible, such as Japanese only being able to display Japanese. Which is something you do on purpose anyway.

#6 alan123

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Posted 25 December 2012 - 03:33 PM

it is not likely people are going to visit from either Japan or the USA to the EU or vice-verser though i wouldn't of thought, just imagine trying to get a Gamepad through the customs in the USA, they will lock you up there thinking it's a bomb or something, the idiots.

#7 cannonshane

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Posted 26 December 2012 - 03:59 AM

Read this on another forum. Doesn't effect 99% of people so it isn't really much of an issue.

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#8 SDDMN

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Posted 26 December 2012 - 11:51 AM

Guess what I found on Destructoid:

Update: The Japanese message above reads, "The update cannot be completed with an overseas Wii U GamePad." In other words, it seems that you can use an imported GamePad to play games, you simply can't apply firmware updates without the original. Apparently, GamePads have their own firmware that is unique per region, hence this uncommon hurdle.]
Read more at http://www.destructo...8xZULXXso4fH.99


Imported gamepads seem like they can play games, but you can't update with them.

Edited by SDDMN, 26 December 2012 - 11:53 AM.

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#9 Tricky Sonic

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Posted 26 December 2012 - 12:30 PM

I'm surprised people care enough to write about this...like it really matters. Better cancel those pre-orders for a Japanese Gamepad, I was really looking forward to not being able to use it anyways since nothing supports 2 of them. -_-
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#10 SoldMyWiiUAndLeftTheForums

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Posted 27 December 2012 - 06:48 AM

Don't bother me at all.

#11 Gamejunkie

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Posted 27 December 2012 - 12:03 PM

it is not likely people are going to visit from either Japan or the USA to the EU or vice-verser though i wouldn't of thought, just imagine trying to get a Gamepad through the customs in the USA, they will lock you up there thinking it's a bomb or something, the idiots.


Hardly likely. It's no different from bringing over a tablet or laptop for instance. I've brought over a number of electronic devices from the US because it usually works out cheaper and/or they are available much earlier. I've also imported through online stores lots of hardware and software both from the US and Hong Kong because its often cheaper or its something not available in the UK. Lots of people do just that and its quite common these days. That being said I'm not likely to bring over or import a Gamepad but its the principle of the matter. It's bad enough Nintendo region locks their consoles without region locking their console accessories.

Read this on another forum. Doesn't effect 99% of people so it isn't really much of an issue.


I don't know where you got that 99% figure from as its wrong. There are lots of people including myself who either bring over or import products including electronic devices, accessories and software for various reasons. The Gamepads may well be cheaper to import but being region locked even if its only regards software updates makes it less of a prospect.

#12 cannonshane

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Posted 27 December 2012 - 02:07 PM

So do I. But now that I'm aware of it. If I need another game pad I will just buy it from the region that suits my console. Isn't exactly rocket science. Its the same as buying games from another region. It seems pretty silly that a game pad is region locked. But we can't change it so deal with it.

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