Physical version of PSO2 Vita is region-free

Available free on the PlayStation Store, the PlayStation Vita version of Phantasy Star Online 2 is technically region-locked. Because the console itself only supports a single PSN ID at any given time, the downloadable client must be accessed by a Japanese account. However, SEGA also released a physical copy of PSO2, and users have reported that this version allows them to connect to the game servers regardless of region.

[Snookies12]

Uh oh, might have to import me a copy lol!

[Narutone66]

Region-locking a game is lame. I like it that I could play my PS3 games from Japanese, US, and even from PAL region like Australia or UK.

[knifefight]

Every Vita game is region free as well. Same with PSP.

[kingPoS]

It's not region locked, but it might as well be since you can only use one account at a time.

[Rockefellow]

That has nothing to do with being region-locked, at all. You can import a physical copy of any game and play it on any Vita. Just because you can't swap accounts with ease, you say it might as well be completely region-locked? That's dumb.

[Xof]

Er... no, the Vita is not region-locked or even "as good as locked."

It's a region-free console. 100% completely.

[profgerbik]

I hate you Japan.. You get a physical version also?

I know we will only get a digital version I bet if it even ever comes to NA on the Vita.

[knifefight]

The physical version of EVERY Vita game is free.

And the PSN version of EVERY game is "region locked" in the sense that you can only play it when using that region's PSN account.

The news it's letting you connect to the servers.

[talocaca]

I was reading some reviews on Amazon Japan and they are VERY divided. The most common complain seems to be the need for a Sega ID and the lack of local play!

Not sure how much that would affect overseas, but in Japan it is common for people to get together and play this kind of game at McDonalds/Starbucks.

Also, it seems to work over 3g for free.

[r21]

Wait, the game is F2P. Does that mean the physical copies are free or am i misunderstanding something here?

[Sephiroushin]

The physical copy is not free, $60+

[r21]

Really? Full $60? Hmm, odd price for a physical copy for a free game IMO

[Sephiroushin]

Yup, it's kind of a special edition though, it comes with a 2 disc soundtrack, some exclusive items (costumes, weapons etc) a 30 days premium set and a ticket, I think it also includes 2 sheets with some stickers, maybe more.

[r21]

Ah, ok that makes sense. Thanks for the info :D

[DA_SHREDDER]

The only reason I would own a Vita and its only in Japan?!

[Coolblueboy]

I wish this would come out right now I wanna play it, and wanna play the new one-piece for the vita :(

[astronautcowboy]

For anyone that's confused, my apologies. I wrote the article; let me clear things up a bit. Normally, downloadable titles are region-locked by nature of not being able to play downloaded games on different accounts. The news here is that the physical version will let you play the game while logged into a US/EU account because game cards are region-free and a SEGA ID can be linked to any account. Even if the game card worked, connecting might have been a different story. Luckily, things worked out in importers' favor. Thanks for reading, and please check out the article at our site.

[kingPoS]

I hadn't meant to imply it it was region locked... it's not. You just have to reset the vita between accounts. It's a good thing we have online resellers that sell a variety of imports.

[Vashlion]

So..umm can this come out in NA yet? It said it was suppose to be Q1. xD