Rant about region lockout

[MotoRoaderMike]

You know, something I NEVER understood in the video gaming world is this:How come handheld systems have no territory lockout, but console systems do? That doesn't make any sense!!!!!!

[Joe Redifer]

Well, in the Turbo's case it's because NEC USA wants to make their own money and does not in any way profit from NEC Japan.  They knew that the only thing USA games had going for them was their kick-ass box artwork.

[Hobo Xiphas]

The standard line given was differences between television standards in different countries.  That doesn't explain why the US can't play Japanese games since we are both NTSC, but hey, that's the excuse they use.  This was supposed to change now that everyone uses the same HDTV standard, but it looks like the industry backed out of that promise.

Handhelds don't have the lockout since they supposidly have their own output and don't rely on external diplay devices.

[FM-77]

'Cos you should be able to buy new games if you're out travelin' with your Game Boy!

[Necromancer]

My money is on Joe's answer.  That's similar to the way that the electronics world works too.  At some companies, the production and warranty departments are treated as separate entities with separate management and separate budgets.  When a design deficiency is found, the warranty department will try to get the production department to fix it and make the unit more reliable, thus decreasing the warranty departments costs.  The production department doesn't want to do anything that will increase their unit costs, so they ignore anything that will cost more because the warranty department budget isn't their problem.  Ah, the corporate world. 

[kenomac78]

i can sort of see why as different countries require different standards for electronics, as well as different tv standardes, but thatage is finally ending. thanks god

but what get me really mad these days is locking of downloadable content, name the wii and xbox 360 making sure you can only get content from where you live. its just a damn file! let us have it if we want it! 

if a dark horse system were to ever come out again, to toally region free it might be the way to make some headroom.

[Kitsunexus]

How come handheld systems have no territory lockout, but console systems do?

So Datel and Interact can make money...