One of the PS3’s most attractive features is its ability to play Blu-ray movies. The PS3 and Xbox 360 can of course play films on DVD too, making them ideal entertainment hubs for the living room.
But Nintendo have a history of taking a different path, and unsurprisingly this trend will continue with their next console. “[The] Wii U does not have DVD or Blu-ray playback capabilities,” Nintendo President Satoru Iwata told investors.
The reason behind this appears to be quite simple:
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.
While he’s quite right that most people already have machines to play DVDs, a lot of households don’t have machines capable of Blu-ray playback. We already knew that games will be stored on Nintendo’s own unique media discs, but having no support for DVD or Blu-ray movies could hinder the Wii U’s sale potential amongst some consumers.
So what do you think? Do the benefits of reduced costs outweigh those of supporting some of the latest technologies? The comments section below is waiting for your opinion.
Source: CVG
webby_15-0
i dont think they’ll sell that many anyway. its aimed at more the casual market but the majority of the casual market are happy with their original wii. although i suppose if it does sell, then it could have been a good way to bring blu-ray to a larger audience.
Smallville2106
I don’t think this matters at all to be honest. The people that will buy it won’t be bothered either IMO.
I don’t think I have ever used my PS3 to watch a Blu-Ray or DVD. I tend to use my Blu-Ray player for that.
SilverCider
Being able to play movies would go against their big idea of having a separate screen in the first place. They have said that they always want the Wii U to be on so if someone else in the room wants to watch something on the TV (be it a film or show) the player can simply use the controller screen and carry on playing. You wouldn’t be able to do that if you used the Wii U to play the films would you.
MaD dOctoR 79
you could watch a more grown up film, within reason…might not be a good idea to have Pinhead and the Cenobites (sounds like a band name) while your kids watch a sesame street DVD on the hand held thingymebob…only to look up and have intestines being flung about the place.
DirtyHabit
Ah. You’ve hit the nail on the head there, but what about when its the other way round?
As parents know, when the kids are pestering to watch a film and you’re trying to watch something important like… erm… ‘bargin hunt’ You could stream a movie to the ‘Wii pad’ (whatever its called) then everyone is happy.
Ive done this a few times with my kids to my PSP. So I’m not convinced the big N are making the right move…
cc_star
Being able to play movies & then if someone wanted to watch the TV, you simply ‘flipped’ it to the controller to carry on watching would have been an awesome feature
adamguest1985
The pad thing has USB inputs right? I’m guessing it’s only a matter of time before you can encode a video file and play it from a usb stick.
hazelam
i bet you it wont even be able to play audio cds either.
Radiitz
“having no support for DVD or Blu-ray movies could hinder the Wii U’s sale potential amongst some consumers.”
Yes, and the Wii proves this…
As to this article though, good on Nintendo. A gaming machine is a gaming machine. I don’t want it to do anything else thank you.
skibadee
if Sony or MS did this then all the Nintendo fans would pipe up.
cc_star
Think Ninty are missing the point. The PS3 has pride of place under the main TV in my house because it is more than a games machine which could just as easily be played on a much smaller TV in the bedroom. I expected DLNA compatibility along with a host of Nintendo ‘Channels’ offering streamed content.
The fact it’s a games machine only, means it will never appear in my living should I get one, although this fact in itself greatly harms its chances of me buying one.
Nintendo needs to realise that convergence is a fact of life & if their machine offered it, then it could displace a rivals machine, rather than simply be secondary to it.
nofi
Indeed. The PS2 shifted a lot of units as it also played DVDs. Albeit only via composite.
Samiro05
I don’t use my PS3 for any movies so I think it’s a great move as it makes the Wii U cheaper and more accessible – sales of the Wii are not low because of the lack of Blu-Ray and DVD playback.
Bilbo_bobbins
My Wii has gathered dust since I first opened it and played it. Mainly because I can’t use it as a media device like the PS3. Therefore Nintendo wont be getting my money the second time round. I have learnt from my experience. They need something that does more than just play one decent bowling game too.
Rob92
Didn’t hinder the Wii.