I haven't ever imported anything, except the DS browser that was only in Europe for a while, which I got rid of soon after. Just giving some support...

I concur. Region-locking is rediculous in this day and age. It just doesn't make sense to me at all. This is one area that Sony has a very clear advantage over Nintendo in. I feel like buying a Vita just to show how much I love being able to play games from other regions, since I actually have imported and enjoyed games overseas.

@SZM and even some of us who can't speak Japanese love import games, I'd change all my titles to japanese if I had to !!!

I imported Retro Game Challenge 2 for DS, that was awesome. I wish I could do that on my other Nintendo consoles.

I'm actually at the point where I buy Vita stuff on principle alone.

For all the hate that console gets it was a really genuine effort by Sony to do right by the fans and give them the kind of handheld console that has the features that they say they care about.

i think we should put quotation marks or at least bold "say" considering sales.

I'd like to point out that people not buying good games has single handedly made me go from constantly mocking the Vita to defending it. Well that and the excellent showing at GDC I believe it was.

Yes, bolded and neon-lighted "say".

Sony's greatest mistake was to believe that the fans have a clue about what they actually want, or are willing to pay for.

I can't remember the last time I wanted to buy a game from another country, except Japan, but I can't read Japanese so it doesn't make any difference to me wether a console is region locked or not.

You're in America, right?

The situation is very different for the US compared to Europe and especially Australia. We miss out on a lot of games down here that, especially for someone who likes RPGs and the like, we want to play.

I've had to import a lot of games from the US in the past for my GBA, DS and PS3 consoles.

Pfffffft, hahahaha.

Alright, in all sincerity, I have no exact idea why region-locking is still a religious practice for Nintendo in this day and age, but I still believe there are many possible reasons. Whether or not those reasons can be considered legit by industry standards is truly beyond me, but there's nothing we can do by speculating and cursing out everything we do not deem affable towards us.

I mean, seriously, I once cursed out James Cameron for never making a third season of Dark Angel. Look where that got me. _{Well, I hated Dark Angel anyway.}

Bottom line, there are things that are in place for reasons beyond the mind of an unknowing consumer. Nintendo are not ones to be behind the cur-- _{I apologise, I cannot say that with a straight face.} But you understand what I mean.

So what if Nintendo endorses a region-free online store on December 21? Will you still be happy? >:3

Yeah, I do live in the states, and what's your point? And the point of you telling me this?
And, well, you gotta take the bad wi-... Wait, what exactly do you get by living in Australia other than crazy import prices, nice location, and the worlds most deadly creatures within spiting distance of your house? ^{(sarcasm, btw.)}

The point is that I would suggest the average American doesn't understand how necessary it is for Europeans or Australians who are fans of certain genres (JRPGs, for instance) to import.

And, well, you gotta take the bad wi-... Wait, what exactly do you get by living in Australia other than crazy import prices, nice location, and the worlds most deadly creatures within spiting distance of your house? ^{(sarcasm, btw.)}

Our beers don't suck.

And yes I'm aware of Samuel Adams beer. The exception to the rule

All I know is I end up spending less money on systems that are region locked. I make a lot more impulse purchases on the PS3.

Hmmm, maybe it might be a good thing it's region locked then...

Well thats just too bad, why don't you import a console from Japan then? Thats all I can do about it.
I'm also not 18 yet, and thus can't drink beer, so I can't judge that.

Oh come on.

Not this again... I'm still the only one here supporting region locking due to it's economic purpose for newer systems (I don't mind importing FC Games)... So I won't even bother for I know I'll get unfairly censored

Do you know what the economic reasons are?

I support region locking. It makes Nintendo more money. And I support Nintendo. Therefore region locking = win.

Region locking is a reason set by companies to discourage imports and to encourage buying games made in your own country, which makes sense, considering how NOA wouldn't get money if you bought a NOJ game, NOJ would.

Yet they all are run by Nintendo, and plus importing games is expensive as hell, this only goes for games not released in our regions (Why would I want to pay $42.97 for Japanese Crush3D that I can't read when I can get it for $15 at GameStop?)

I must ask, do you ever not defend Nintendo's policy? Not trying to attack you, but it seems you always protect them.