make the DSi region free

Dear Nintendo,

The DSi should not be region-locked, or at least not completely region locked. We understand that you want to ensure the highest quality of customer experience by tailoring certain features to be region specific. However, locking the software to the regions damages the existing DS market. The DS lets players use software from other parts of the world lawfully without having to resort to pirating or "homebrew" software. Most stores do not carry out of region games, and so those who wish to take advantage of this feature have to usually order online or go to a specialty store, however it is still easy enough to achieve without stealing or something similar.

This is the age of the internet. The world is becoming unified over the limitless spread of information. Players, especially the core market, cannot be shielded from what is available in other regions. It can be made not readily available or covered with disclaimers, but there will be no way to stop the distribution. If you completely region-lock the software, pirating and other illegal means of distribution become the only method people who want games from other regions can take. This is especially true for those who travel overseas on a regular basis.

As it stands, DS games are imported regularly, where games on other systems like the Nintendo Wii are simply pirated. Money is being lost and any warranty of quality on the Wii system is void for those owners. Is that fair? Just because users want to use software that was not intended for the mainstream audience in their region, they have to break rules? In an age when anything can be viewed over the internet, why you are going to limit your customers' options? Today's society should not have to be limited by country or language anymore. Nintendo should be standing for an international community of players, not restricting players to their own homes. With other systems like the Wii offering import virtual console games and the PS3 removing region locks on new games entirely, this is like a step backwards for Nintendo. Disclaimers cover the Nintendo products as it stands; users do not need the additional lock to be able to know the difference between what is and is not appropriate for their region.

That being said, we feel that any region locking on the DSi should be removed and replaced with user controlled content options so that the users can choose how they want their software. We should not be limited to the languages and beliefs that represent the mainstream of the land we live in. We should be able to accept cultural differences and play games in Japanese, German, or any language we want.