Nintendo will return to the dreaded “region locking” with the introduction of the DSi. The region locking process will prevent downloaded or loading applications that are intended for regions other than the one the DSi was purchased in.

The news is perhaps not welcomed, but expected in view of the more open nature of being able to store games on SD cards using the DSi. According to our sources, the region locking will be a bit different because the DSi embeds net communication functionality within itself so that Nintendo is able to provide content that is specifically tailored for each individual region.

According to reports Nintendo is using the fact that the DSi supports parental controls as a smoke screen as to why they needed to add region locking. The parental control age limits vary by regions and they claim this is the only way to overcome the issue.

The news of region locking is sure to displease some potential owners, but Nintendo claims that region locking will not affect Nintendo software that is able to be played from any region. The DSi Internet browser will allow use and Internet connections in any country, according to Nintendo.

The decision to apply region locking could end up to be a problem for Nintendo. The company is known for wanting to control the platform and the content, but this could end up being more of an issue now that the news has become so public. We suspect that Nintendo may have no choice but to soften their region locking stand in the future, but it might take some time for them to realize that.

The DSi is still on track for launch in Japan on November 1st, followed by roll out in the U.S. some time after April 2009 and in the Spring of 2009 in Europe, with Australia getting the DSi at some point during the second half of 2009.