Don't get your hopes up about online play...

[danburite]

I've been reading some Nintendo DS faqs on www.gamefaqs.com just now, and it appears that multicard games (as in, games that require each player to have his/her own copy of the game- Pokemon for example) are not compatible across regions.
So an NTSC Pokemon Diamond may not be able to go online with a PAL Pokemon Pearl.
I'm waiting for confirmation from Nintendo's customer service department regarding this, but this means Europe, Australia and the UK will only be able to play with each other, as will only America and Japan.

I'm not saying this is 100% accurate, but please don't count your Blazikens before they hatch.

Also, if anyone would like to prove me wrong- please go ahead.
(for example, can an Aussie Animal Crossing player link up with an American?)

 

[Orion-Sama]

The problem with your assumption resides in the fact that the PAL/NTSC formats are limited to the big Consoles, because they use the TV as the video medium. Portable systems aren't region-locked at all.

So, unless the DS works in the same scheme (Very doubtful...), there won't be any problem with Wi-Fi connection...

 

[MetalMario]

Your point is 100% moot. The existing Pokémon Advanced titles ARE compatible between regions, already. Online play has also already been confirmed in, IIRC, Coro Coro.

 

[danburite]

The problem with your assumption resides in the fact that the PAL/NTSC formats are limited to the big Consoles, because they use the TV as the video medium. Portable systems aren't region-locked at all.

So, unless the DS works in the same scheme (Very doubtful...), there won't be any problem with Wi-Fi connection...

I know that portables can't be region-locked, i'm just relaying what I read. That different-region games can't link up. I don't really beleive it myself, but I want proof.

 

[MetalMario]

Also, NTSC/PAL are just different video formats. The region locking consist only of a console that only plays signed code set to the same region. There's no restriction placed on network communications. No Nintendo handhelds have region locking, anyway, but even if they did, there's nothing in place to prevent communications between different regioned carts. It would be more work for Nintendo's programmers to block players from different regions.

 

[danburite]

Also, NTSC/PAL are just different video formats. The region locking consist only of a console that only plays signed code set to the same region. There's no restriction placed on network communications. No Nintendo handhelds have region locking, anyway, but even if they did, there's nothing in place to prevent communications between different regioned carts. It would be more work for Nintendo's programmers to block players from different regions.

Yes, but have you actually experienced it? Heresay's all fine and dandy, but unless you have an NTSC game on the DS and have actually played with someone who had a PAL version, then I really have no reason to agree, or even disagree.
I'm quite skeptical by nature, so unless someone can present some cold hard facts, I might as well not beleive you.

 

[danburite]

PAL and NTCS doesn't matter to a DS. This is messing with TV video formats, which the DS (as well as any portable) is immune to. And there's no way a TV format can affect networking capabilities.

I beleive that, I really do- but I have been unable to find any actual evidence saying "DS games can trade across regions and here is why", but i've found a fair bit of heresay stating that it's not possible.
I'm really hoping for someone with actual first-hand experience to post here.

 

[zonic the hedgehog]

I know that portables can't be region-locked, i'm just relaying what I read. That different-region games can't link up. I don't really beleive it myself, but I want proof.

Mariokart DS allows you to play with people across the globe, regardless of what country they're from.

So that pretty much says that Diamond and Pearl will work across the globe as well.

FYI, I've imported a billion GBA and DS games, and they're Japanese, but they all work perfectly with my American DS, and even the Wi-fi is perfect.

 

[danburite]

Mariokart DS allows you to play with people across the globe, regardless of what country they're from.

So that pretty much says that Diamond and Pearl will work across the globe as well.

FYI, I've imported a billion GBA and DS games, and they're Japanese, but they all work perfectly with my American DS, and even the Wi-fi is perfect.

Thank you. First-hand evidence that region-free trade and battle is possible.
This thread may now die in peace.