Importing a US wii, any downsides?

[gizmo1990]

Right, with the news of RE4 wii being released so bloody late over here I'm seriously tempted to import a US wii (if I can find one in stock of course!).

Could anyone give me a brief outline of any potential downsides in going the imported route? I'm thinking of online issues, vc stuff, online game compatability etc.

Ta!

[Number45]

Online game matching is region specific, but if you have the friend codes of gamers from other regions that's not a problem. Other than that the rest of the potential issues are pretty much common to all import consoles - what happens if you have a problem with it and the fact that you can't just walk into a shop in the UK and pick up new games on a whim (Which could well be a good thing! ).

You need to pretend to be Brazilian to buy from the store, but that's not a problem.

[elkatas]

Online game matching is region specific, but if you have the friend codes of gamers from other regions that's not a problem.

It might be problematic* if your US console actually tries to connect US servers when playing online. Ping would be relatively high.

* this is only theory, as nobody has tried this yet.

[Number45]

Not entirely sure how that's handled to be honest - if you're US based and you join a game full of EU people it should, I'd guess, be an EU based server. But yeah, worth being aware of I guess, though more so if you play random matches I would think.

[Emir]

Right, with the news of RE4 wii being released so bloody late over here...

Sorry to go off topic, but how late is the PAL release?

I personally can't see any downsides to owning a US machine. The games are released earlier, are generally cheaper, and the VC rocks. Obviously there is a risk with importing with regards to ending up with a borked unit, but I imagine any of the decent sites who are linked to this place would be more than helpful in that situation.

Edit - ignore most of that. I hadn't noticed you'd asked of online gameplay risks. I know nothing 'bout them risks, yet...

[mr_sockochris]

Right, with the news of RE4 wii being released so bloody late over here I'm seriously tempted to import a US wii (if I can find one in stock of course!).

10 days after the US release is 'bloody late'?

[JamesS]

One down side is that you can't get RGB out of them, if you're planning on hooking it up that way.

[elkatas]

10 days after the US release is 'bloody late'?

Yeah, I wonder that too. Kids these days are way too impatient.

[Keith]

But yeah, worth being aware of I guess, though more so if you play random matches I would think.

Are there any online games on either the Wii or DS that actually let you play "random matches" though?

Wouldn't the paedos get me if I could play with randoms?

[elkatas]

Are there any online games on either the Wii or DS that actually let you play "random matches" though?

Yup. All of them, in fact (with sole exception being Pokemon games, I think).

[Keith]

But...but...is it safe?

Fair enough - all I've ever played online on a Ninty system is Animal Crossing and Pokemon.

[elkatas]

But...but...is it safe?

Of course, as there isn't any way to communicate with your opponent!

[iloveannie]

I have a US machine but have yet to go online. Games are cheaper but you have to wait for delivery. Is VC really worth it? What titles can I play?

[Ouenben]

I have a US machine but have yet to go online. Games are cheaper but you have to wait for delivery. Is VC really worth it? What titles can I play?

Wow you have to wait a few extra days for delivery... PAL users have to wait a few months for the game in the first place don't forget

If you love Retro games, yes its worth it.

Just NTSC Wii, gamecube titles and NTSC Virtual console games (around 80 or so out at the moment)

[Keith]

I have a US machine but have yet to go online. Games are cheaper but you have to wait for delivery. Is VC really worth it? What titles can I play?

Remember, "Nintendo" and "PAL" don't mix at all. You did the right thing buying a US Wii.