Published on 12/11/2004
Although it was reported earlier that the Sony PSP games will be region-free, a photo of Namco's Ridge Racers game is casting some doubts in the hours preceding the launch of the much anticipated console.
The photo shows what appears to be a region icon. "2" is Japan's region number for DVD movies.
Here is my explanation: The region number will be used to certify that each game has been tested on the PSP Operating System version for the specific region. Quality insurance is done regionally.
For this reason, Sony recommends that you buy games that match the region code of your PSP console.
Related story WHAT!? So the PSP does have region-locked games??