Nintendo has had a long history of region-locking its hardware, making it incredibly difficult for those who like to import games or consoles from other regions. However, according to Satoru Iwata, the Big N's president and CEO, that might change sometime in the future.
"Region-locking has existed due to circumstances on the sellers' side rather than for the sake of the customers. In the history of game consoles, that is the current situation," Iwata explained during a recent investor Q&A (via NeoGAF). "As for what should be done going forward, if unlocked for the benefit of the customers, there may also be a benefit for us."
The Nintendo boss then went on to say that while doing so may pose a few hurdles, there very well may be a time in the future when their hardware will no longer be locked by region. "Unlocking would require various problems to be solved, so while I can't say today whether or not we intend to unlock, we realize that it is one thing that we must consider looking to the future."
If Nintendo ever does get around to unlocking its hardware, would you be more inclined to import? That New 3DS looks awfully nice….
