Is the Nintendo 3DS XL Region Free or Locked? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Gaming > Consoles & PCs 26 26 people found this article helpful

Is the Nintendo 3DS XL Region Free or Locked?

Nintendo tailors the 3DS XL and its games to specific regions

By Nadia Oxford Nadia Oxford Writer William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute Nadia Oxford is a former Lifewire writer with 10+ years' experience. Her articles have appeared in Pocket Games Magazine, Play Magazine, Game Pro, IGN and others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 11, 2020 Tweet Share Email Jonathan Leibson / Getty Images Tweet Share Email Consoles & PCs Xbox Buyer's Guide Like the original Nintendo 3DS, the Nintendo 3DS XL is region-locked. If you buy your Nintendo 3DS XL system in North America, you should buy your games in North American markets.

The Difference Between Region Free and Region Locked

All 3DS XLs are region-locked. Japanese games and European games do not work properly on a North American 3DS XL, if at all. This restriction applies to all versions of the Nintendo 3DS XL and its games. Japanese games do not work on a European Nintendo 3DS XL, North American games do not work on a Japanese Nintendo 3DS XL, and so on. Systems that are capable of communicating with compatible games regardless of the territory they're manufactured in are referred to as "region free," which the 3DS XL is not.

Why Nintendo Region Locks the 3DS XL

Nintendo has come under a lot of fire for region-locking its hardware, but the company defended its decision in a VG247 article published in 2011: "Nintendo has developed different versions of Nintendo 3DS hardware to take into account different languages, age rating requirements, and parental control functionality as well as to ensure compliance with local laws in each region. Nintendo 3DS also offers network services specifically tailored for each region ... we want to ensure the best possible gaming experience for our users and there is the possibility that Nintendo 3DS software sold in one region will not function properly when running on Nintendo 3DS hardware sold in another." There are hacks that allow you to remove Nintendo 3DS XL region-locking, but they're often quickly overridden by hardware updates. They can also be unstable, so use them at your own risk. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire The Nintendo 3DS Is Region Locked Are the Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL Backward Compatible? Can I Play Nintendo 3DS Games on the Wii U? Setting Up Nintendo 3DS Parental Controls How to Transfer Data From a Nintendo 3DS SD Card How Much Does the Nintendo 3DS Cost? Can I Play Nintendo DS Games on the 3DS? How to Get More StreetPasses on Your Nintendo 3DS How to Make a Nintendo Network ID on Your Nintendo 3DS Nintendo 3DS vs. the DSi: A Comparison Nintendo 3DS vs. 2DS Nintendo 2DS FAQ - Everything You Need to Know How to Redeem Nintendo 3DS Codes How to Add a Friend Code on Your Nintendo 3DS How to Set up Wi-Fi on Your Nintendo 3DS XL How to Disable 3D Images on the Nintendo 3DS Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies