The upcoming DSi handheld games console will be region locked, Nintendo has confirmed.

Software specifically created for the Nintendo DSi will be region-locked, meaning that European software will only work on European consoles, and more importantly US and Japanese software won't.

Previous DS handhelds - and GameBoys before them - had been region-free, meaning that software purchased in the US or Japan could be played on European hardware.

However, Nintendo told Eurogamer this afternoon that 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".

"Also because we are including parental control functionality for Nintendo DSi and each region has its unique age limit made by different independent bodies."

The good news is that this only applies to software that is compatible exclusively with the DSi, and that existing DS software remains region-free. Internet browsing and photo sharing also works globally.

Also, Nintendo's statement specifically refers to "software" rather than "games". Nintendo has told EuroGamer that software is their term for everything these days, including games products, so it sounds like the DSi's region-locking will be broad-based on all releases that require the new hardware.

The Nintendo DSi is due to launch in Japan on 1st November, in the US shortly thereafter, and Nintendo UK has previously said that the revised hardware - sporting a bigger screen, a camera and an SD card slot - will launch in Europe next spring.

NINTENDO'S HOLIDAY 2008: WII SPEAK CHANNEL, CLUB NINTENDO, MORE SURPRISES

Nintendo Announces 'Significant Increase' in Q4 Wii Supplies over 2007

REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 2, 2008 – Nintendo today disclosed a number of surprises, including new games, the ability to use the Wii™ console to chat with friends near and far, and the expansion of the popular Club Nintendo rewards program to North America.

At its San Francisco press event, Nintendo followed up on its Japanese DSi announcement by revealing the updated handheld won't debut in the U.S. until "well into 2009," (fiscal year).

The DSi itself wasn't the main thrust of the presentation, due to the fact that it won't launch in North America until significantly into next year, according to Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime. Nonetheless, the presentation kicked off with a demo of the DSi, which updates the DS's original design with the addition of a camera, the ability to play music files and an SD card slot.

Fils-Aime's English language explanation brought up a couple of notable clarifications compared to the Japanese launch.

Notably, the demo showed that the handheld will indeed have some internal Flash memory for storing games and data, and that the music player will play only AAC files, as opposed to MP3s.

Continuing its commitment to supply new game experiences for every level of player, Nintendo revealed a wide range of games for the 2008 holiday season and beyond. A number of games are slated for 2009, including a new Punch-Out!! ™ and Sin & Punishment 2 for Wii, and Fire Emblem™: Shadow Dragon and Mario & Luigi™ RPG 3 for Nintendo DS™. Consumers also can expect a new "Personal Trainer” series of titles designed to help users enrich their lives and learn new skills in fun and interesting ways.

Nintendo also announced that North American supplies of the Wii video game console between October and December will see a significant increase from 2007's levels, and that Nintendo DS will also be available in greater abundance than ever before.

"We have new games and new experiences for every kind of player this holiday season, and that will certainly fuel increased interest in Wii and Nintendo DS,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. "While there's no way to gauge total demand for our hardware systems, we're trying to satisfy as many of those players as possible.”

The new Wii Speak™ Channel arrives on Nov. 16 and uses the Wii Speak™, a microphone that sits on top of your television. This accessory is sold separately at an MSRP of $29.99. People who buy the microphone are given a code that allows them to download the Wii Speak Channel from the Wii Shop Channel at no charge. The Wii Speak lets people in up to four locations who have traded Friend Codes chat with one another at no extra cost. When you use Wii Speak in real time, your Mii™ appears on your TV screen and mimics your chat. You also can leave audio messages for your friends and family members or use Wii Speak to narrate captions for your photos.

Gamers have longed for the expansion of Club Nintendo to North America for years, and now Nintendo is making it a reality for everyone. Club Nintendo rewards Nintendo loyalists who complete surveys and register Nintendo products with loyalty coins that can be redeemed for exclusive items available only to Club Nintendo members. Club Nintendo is set to debut in North America this holiday season.

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