Wii U Will Not Have DVD or Blu-Ray Capabilities

[Gamercide]

When claims were made that Nintendo’s upcoming new console was going to be more powerful than the current heavy hitters of the console world, PS3 and 360, gamers took notice.  However with a recent statement being made by Nintendo that the Wii U will not be have a DVD or Blu-Ray functionality, the Wii U is shaping up to be another child’s toy or retirement home reject.

“Wii U does not have DVD or Blu-ray playback capabilitie. The reason for that is that we feel that enough people already have devices that are capable of playing DVDs and Blu-ray, such that it didn’t warrant the cost involved to build that functionality into the Wii U console because of the patents related to those technologies..” Satoru Iwata, Nintendo President

Iwata did confirm that there will be some social media functions.

via VG247

Tweet This Post Post to Facebook

View the full article

[Dateranoth]

So, we're suppose to get next generation or even this generation high def content on a CD?

[Kevnvek]

So, we're suppose to get next generation or even this generation high def content on a CD?

I think they meant DVD as in a digital video disc specifically containing a movie. The format itself (as multilayered DVD, HD DVD, or whatever) will still probably be used for the games, but the Wii U also won't play Blu-Ray movies, and most likely won't use Blu-Ray format discs for their games.

At least that's what I've gathered from their wording.

[Dateranoth]

Which would mean some proprietary format for protection. I can't imagine that simple DVD view capabilities would be anything close to costly though.

[MWB]

it makes sense. nintendo never was one to worry about anything but gaming. if i were interested in the first place, it would have no impact on my decision. since i never was interested, it has no impact on my decision.