The WiiU won’t play DVDs or Blu-rays

If you’re expecting the WiiU to be your new media hub when it’s released next year, don’t hold your breath.

There is now official word from Nintendo that the system will not play DVDs OR Blu-Rays. This is despite the fact that is uses a 25GB game disc format similar to Sony’s Blu-ray games, but Nintendo says the extra functionality isn’t necessary.

“Wii U does not have DVD or Blu-ray playback capabilities. 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.”

You know, I can agree with that. Pretty much everyone who wants one has a DVD player in their house right now, and Blu-ray? That’s Sony’s deal, and Nintendo doesn’t benefit from catering to them.

Now, that being said, I would hope the WiiU has other entertainment capabilities, like the ability to play movies from a USB port, or to stream Netflix and other services. If it can do that, DVD and Blu-Ray really aren’t necessary at all.