Best Game Consoles for Easy Import Gaming: No Region Lock Guide

Let’s be honest - buying weird and wonderful Japanese games is exciting! Messing around with adapters, mods, and region locks… less so. Fortunately, some region-free consoles and handhelds make this process nice and easy!

A region-free console has no built-in restrictions for playing software from outside the market it was produced for.
Whatever your reason for buying Japanese games - be it language learning, collecting, or raw curiosity here’s a list of region-free consoles that make import gaming a cinch:

Sony PlayStation 5 and 4! (Disc Drive Version recommended)

Sony’s slick current-gen console is a good option for import gaming, especially if you have the disc drive version of the console. Any on-disc Japanese PS5 and PS4 games will work on your PS5 system.

If you’ve not made the jump to PS5, the PS4 will also play Japanese PS4 discs too!

Do note, access to digital games is tied to the region of the account on both these systems, but will require setting up accounts for each desired region.

Nintendo Switch (And Nintendo Switch 2)

The Switch 2 has only just been launched so while there aren’t many Switch 2-specific games available yet, it is thankfully backwards compatible with the incredible original Nintendo Switch library - and it’s region free!

Please note, the Japanese-specific (and significantly cheaper) Japanese region Switch 2 does have its own restrictions to consider and comes with some pros and cons: 

You can:

• Play physical games purchased worldwide
• Use the console within Japan or abroad (with Japanese log-in).
• Purchase digital games from the Japanese eShop using a Japanese account.
• Take advantage of the ¥49,980 price — a saving of around ¥20k.

You can’t:

• Add or use English language menus.
• Link any non-Japanese Nintendo account.
• Access any other region’s eShop (US/UK/EU).
• Use DLC purchased from outside Japan on Japanese cartridges in many cases.
• Get warranty coverage outside Japan.
• Run system or online services in English—entirely locked to Japanese region settings.

The original Switch is also region-free -- like all well-behaved Nintendo handhelds should be (Nintendo 3DS... we’re not angry, just disappointed). 

All Japanese original Switch cartridges/game cards will work on other region consoles. 

Also Read: About Nintendo Switch Consoles Shipping From Japan

Sony PlayStation Portable

Playing on and collecting for the PSP is still a great time, and with no region locks on UMD game discs, it’s one of the best consoles for exploring Japanese games.

Many of the Japanese-exclusive deluxe boxes and premium editions are affordable, look great, and come with an abundance of extras - posters, trinkets, soundtracks, and more.

 Note: Japanese UMD Video discs will not work as these are locked to the Japanese region’s hardware.

Sony PlayStation 3

With a couple of obscure exceptions - namely low budget releases and a couple of reprints - all Japanese PS3 games will play on any region console. There are many Japanese exclusives that you may have missed out on, and the disc will work straight out of the box.

One of our favourite PS3 features is that trophies stack between regions – if you’ve already Platinumed both the European and USA versions of Demon’s Souls, you can get a Japanese Platinum as well! Good luck.  

Also Read: Why Are Retro Games Making A Comeback?

If you’re lucky enough to own the rare PS2-compatible PS3, do note that PS2 games are region locked, though PS3 games remain region-free.

Playstation Vita

The PSP’s less popular but remarkably well-made younger brother, PlayStation Vita, is also region-free when it comes to physical release games.

There is a workaround for downloadable media and store content - having a separate memory card for each region allows access to different online stores. It’s not elegant, a bit clunky, but it works – no modifications required. That said, of course, if you’re sticking to a physical-only release, you won’t have to bother.   

Nintendo DS

This one’s a doozy – a system that’s great value for money with tons of import potential. The DS has a massive library, and if you’re the proud owner of the chunky and lovable OG version (or the tidy Lite version) you can also play the entire Game Boy Advance library thanks to the built-in GBA cartridge slot. 

Exclusive Japanese content for DS games ranges from wacky fun like Tingles Adventure to tons of anime-based fighting games, visual novels and more. 

Nintendo Game Boy Advance

As mentioned above, the GBA library is playable on some DS models - but don’t sleep on the GBA itself!

Region-free with its own library, it also has the big advantage of backwards compatibility for all original Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles too, regardless of region!

Also Read: Is The Gameboy Dead: [A Complete Guide To Gameboys]

The pick-up-and-play nature of many of these timeless, smaller-concept games means less of a language barrier, making them perfect for those seeking pure, simple fun.   

One thing to watch out for: battery death in older cartridge games can prevent you from saving. Relying on reputable sources to obtain your games, like ZenMarket, can help ensure you’re getting fully functioning gear if you don’t wish to change these batteries yourself.

Side note: The tiny but mighty Game Boy Micro is also completely region-free for GBA games, but is not backwards compatible with older Game Boy libraries.