http://wii.ign.com/articles/117/1176505p1.html

Iwata has confirmed that Wii U will NOT be having DVD or Blu-Ray playback, and instead will have high-density optical discs to lower production costs.

AS a consumer do like this move by nintendo? and do you think as a company its smart to shy away from even DVD style playback? which is technology that has been out for many many years.

Personally i don't like the idea of clustering my living space with other electronics and accesories, and i don't believe that it wouldve increased production ccosts too much, but i guess i can adapt...

Sound offf your thoughts below:

They are giving away marketshare by not including it. Sounds like a stupid move.

Doesn't bother me, but that's mainly because my DVD collection is in the teens... I tend to watch films when they come on TV. There may be reasons I don't buy the Wii U, but that isn't one of them.

I understand you make game machines first, but this just seems like a silly move.

It's a bad idea to watch DVDs on your console anyway. Use your DVD player/Blue-Ray player for that!

Can't really say I care.

Besides, everyone should have expected this. Nintendo is not trying to push blu-ray like Sony is. Nor are they really trying to compete with multi-media features against Sony like MS is.

They have little reason to want to add that support. Blu-ray playback will be one of the least important features for consoles next gen.

Didn't read the article but from what I see in the OP is Nintendo saying that the reason is due to the disc used?


I remember Wii not having playback for DVD also but that was just due to Nintendo being cheap because a quick soft mod enabled DVD playback on mine and I am sure the same will enable at least DVD playback on the Wii U.

If 3DTVgains popularity your assumption could end up being way off.

Blurays won't be as expensive, not to mention you can grab one for $1.50 at Redbox right now.

Netflix doesn't stream 3D nor is it's HD the same overall quality as that found on a BD disc.

I am sure BD will continue to have its uses within the next 3-5 years easy.

Or your HTPC like I do... they serve media center roles exceedingly better than any console on the market ATM - and will do so later as well I bet. I installed a blu-ray drive in mine.

Consoles should concentrate on games first and foremost - media center roles are heavily secondary.

I'm pleased by this.

Less unnecessary features = cheaper console.

Pretty much everyone already has at least one DVD playing device.

Gaming machines are for GAMING.