3DS games region locked?

Software for the Nintendo 3DS will be region locked in much the same way as DVDs, consumer blog VG247 is reporting.

In recent years the portable market has been free of region coding, with software for both the DS and PSP being (on the whole) universally compatible across all territories.

If the 3DS claims are true then it will have implications both for enthusiast importers and those looking to buy new titles on their holidays.

It’s a different story on consoles, however. Traditionally home consoles always saw software locked to the region in which they were intended for sale.

While the same is true of Wii, however, PS3 titles are almost universally region free while on Xbox 360 region coding is purely down to the discretion of the publisher.

MCV has contacted Nintendo for clarification.

UPDATE: Nintendo has told MCV that it does not comment on rumour or speculation