While rumors have been floating around for quite some time a Nintendo rep. (who will remain anonymous) has confirmed that Nintendo will be releasing a New version of the Nintendo Wii this fall. This new version will be essentially the same as the current Wii models but has the added ability to play DVD movies and will be offered in multiple colors, including Black.

Speculation points to Nintendo releasing a DVD application for the Wii through their WiiWare section of the Online Store. Meaning the new “version” will likely be the same old Wii offered in new colors and bundled with the new software. In any case this report remains firmly in the rumor department.

Source: http://nintendo-scene.com/311

Do you think this can be true and how do you think it will effect sales if it is true?

Why would it be in the WiiWare section? There is a Wii Channel section after all.

I seriously doubt this is true. But I do believe a black Wii will come out this year.

Possible, but odd. I've heard that the mod to play DVD's on Wii burns out your disk drive after a while (the Wii doesn't usually read discs continually while playing games).

Pretty sure that rumor was debunked by the guy who made the HBC Program, he said that the Wii's laser was designed to do both, that the problems are all software-side.

So wait Wii is capable of playing DVD's as an I mean its drive can read it?

Im sure a firmware update can make the Wii play movie dvds. But seriously, who doesnt already own a dvd player?

Wasn't there supposed to be a firmware update coming to Japan that would allow the Wii to play DVDs? That hasn't surfaced yet....

Perhaps this is part of Nintendo adding value to their curent price point, rather than slashing it. Internet Channel is free now, so why not have a free DVD channel? Obviously they aren't massive differences, but they are nice features.

EDIT: It does make sense this would ship with new systems, as new systems ship with the most recent firmware, right? It is a little odd to have the update placed in the WiiWare section. Shouldn't it go in the Wii Channels section as a Disc Channel update?

That's exactly what Nintendo thaught. They just left an option open to do it with an software update - just in case.

Why pay for it, if people aren't going to buy a wii to play dvd's? It's just a waste of money. And Nintendo doens't like to waste money.

All very plausable nothing groundbreaking. I thought you were gonna tell me that a Wii HD was on its way, that would at least explain why the have kept the price high.

There's already homebrew available for playing DVDs on Wii, so I doubt they'd need to really release a new model.