Nintendo's New 3DS will be region-locked

Nintendo's newly announced 3DS models, the New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS LL, will be region-locked just like the currently available 3DS systems, IGN reports.

A Nintendo representative confirmed in a written statement that "the situation will be exactly the same as for the current family of Nintendo 3DS systems." The company's history with region-locking 3DS systems extends to the DSi, which launched in the West in 2009 and was Nintendo's first region-locked handheld.

Nintendo revealed the New Nintendo 3DS system earlier this month. The New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS LL feature a smaller analog "nub" above the A, B, X and Y buttons. Likewise, existing buttons have been colored to match the old-school Super Famicom controller. The hardware will also arrive with new shoulder buttons which will be situated next to the existing ZL and ZR buttons. Check out a front-on view below.