Want to Play DVDs? Wii U says No

The world and his wife already has a Dvd player...not a big deal.

i wonder if the wii u will work on my home network? that would make up for it in my book

I doubt Nintendo would like to pay licensing fees to Sony for blu-ray playback. In addition, streaming videos and movies is becoming more popular these days. With Netflix coming to 3DS and already running on Wii I think we can assume the Wii U will be getting Netflix. Although I do understand why this upsets some people. To some it is not just about having some dedicated devices for video playback, but using these expensive systems as a centralized location for all entertainment. It adds just a bit of convenience which is valuable to many. Hopefully though this omission results in a cheaper price tag and not merely a lowering of cost for higher profit margins.

I hope I did not sound like an idiot, it is 12:31 AM here in the States and I am falling asleep while writing this, haha.

Stulaw said:
It's never bothered me about consoles having DVD playback, it was the Gimmick (yes gimmick) that originally sold the PS2, I've never used my PS2 as a DVD player, I'll never need to, both my T.V and PC have built in DVD players, and they work just fine.

Just because it was a gimmick for you doesn't mean it was a gimmick for everyone. A lot of people I know bought a PS2 for the DVD player, in fact I'm currently thinking of purchasing a PS3 for the Blu ray player.

Ifrit XXII said:
Do the royalties for DVD playback really cost that much? The PS2 had it for crying out loud. �_� At the very least CD playback should be included, something consoles going as far back as the Sega Saturn could play.

Nintendo like to take a couple of giant leaps but then about a dozen or so hops backwards.

I don't think it's the price that really matters to Nintendo, it's the fact that their main competitors (Microsoft, Sony and Apple) will be making money off Nintendo consoles. Also you must remember that royalties are paid for each DVD/Blu ray disc purchased.

( Edited 16.06.2011 13:26 by Birdo Is A Tranny )

I bought the PS3 over the xbox 360 partly because of the blu ray player. Its an excellent player a lot better then the PS2 was as a DVD player.

It remembers where you last played the DVD or bluray even when taken out of the machine and reinserted. It has great fast forward and rewind speeds.

It loads quickly and the picture quality is great. Plus it bravia syncs to my TV.

I use to think multi media machines that try to do more then one thing was always badly handled but the PS3 is an amazing multi media machine.

I wouldnt buy a Wii U for blu ray becuase I dont need it but I think it is a system seller.

THAT'S just ... stupid. I'm getting one but they got away with that on the cube and the cubes brother (the Wii) but something THIS powerful cent even play a 4.5-9 gig dvd? Nintendo, stop bein so C H E A P!

From Iwatan-san: Online gaming and social networking is everywhere and anywhere, consoles are doing it, social network sites have joined in and the two often overlap.

CD/DVD/Bluray playing is everywhere and anywhere, consoles are doing it, almost anything techie has joined in and the two often overlap.

Really, how hard can it be to think the same way for 2 similar questions...?

It would be nice if they sold the functionality as an optional firmware update. I think hackers already proved that the Wii could play DVDs given the right software.

I can understand wanting to keep the price down, but atleast give the consumer the option if they want more out of their device. I'd gladly pay a royalty fee to make my future Wii U play Blu-Ray movies.

( Edited 17.06.2011 16:24 by Jacob4000 )