Japan Makes Importing R4 Carts Illegal

Gamers in Japan looking to grab hold of an R4 catridge have found another hurdle: Importing it is now banned.

The infamous R4 DS cartridge, an device used to play homebrew apps and software, but also illegally play retail games, was outlawed for sale in Japan over three years ago. However it didn't stop residents from buying the device outside Japanese shores and importing it.

Now the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry have banned import of the R4 cartridges.

With prison being punishment for some importers, purchasing full retail software is certainly the advised way of playing the latest DS and 3DS games.