Looks like Japanese gamers get their revenge after all. Sure, we're still getting the Wii first, but they're getting a console with DVD playback functionality next year. Sucks to be us, eh?Nintendo would not divulge a date for which they planned to release this version of the Wii and commented that, as of now, there are no plans to bring this proposed version of the Wii to the US and Europe. If Japan does see this version release next year, you can safely assume the other territories would receive it, as well.
[Thanks Canuckle!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-31-2006 @ 12:42PM
Author X said...
Wow, I really wasn't expecting that. I'm guessing their 'casual consumer' target will probably be showing more interest in a year, with the added functionality and possibly a price drop by then (and, of course, other 'bundle offers' like several wiimotes or other games are inevitable)
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 12:51PM
Canuckle said...
I really don't know if we will see it in North America though. Panasonic did the same thing with the Gamecube in Japan I think, it was called "Q" or something. Anyways, it never made it over here also, but it is nice to see that Nintendo has the ability or desire to put in DVD playback if the populace want it.
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 1:04PM
TVGenius said...
No big deal. (Engadget had this via EDGE yesterday) I don't think not having DVD playback is a big loss. If you don't have a DVD player by now, you're probably not in the market for one, and if you do need one, I'm sure you'll be able to get a Coby or similar for $14.99 on Black Friday.
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 1:52PM
Ross said...
If Wii DVD playback does come to the console i hope you can get an upgrade if you already have a Wii, if you do i will be willing to pay for an upgrade
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 1:56PM
Moogle said...
*raises hand*
I wanted DVD capability on my Wii. I don't have a DVD player, and don't want to have to bother hooking up more devices to my old TV.
Maybe I'll sell my first gen Wii and buy a dvd-capable one later.
I am slighlty annoyed at this flipflopping on the DVD issue. I could understand if they were just tossing it entirely, but if they're doing it for Japan it really shouldn't be any more work to do it in the US. Bah. I'd be happy to buy a dongle with the DVD player license fee attached.
I am glad that I didn't buy an old DS when nintendo falsly claimed there would be no redesign. It did suck having to wait so long for it to come out after deciding that I wanted one.
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 2:06PM
All Your Lost Socks said...
A second version of the Wii in only a year would make sense if and only if it is something they could not do without releasing new HARDWARE. My question is, has the HARDWARE part of this been confirmed to block out all possibility of an upgrade in add-on firm - be it a Channel with a firmware upgrade, or a dongle, or whatever? From a technical point of view, the ONLY thing that is missing from this picture is purely available on the software side. If it is a jumper issue or a soldering fix, one should be able to upgrade their consoles with Nintendo. I would pay for that. But I would rather pay for a software/firmware combo that I could download for a number of Wii points from my very living room. This is frustrating.
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 2:17PM
Number One said...
Im thinking less machines means less wires, means less remotes on the living room table and means less keeping tabs on batteries for said remotes... Does anyone know if the DVD playback option on Wii's would be a software add-on or a hardware one? Or both?
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 2:34PM
Brian said...
ever think that maybe the surprise nintendo has in store for us is the DVD playback we're bitching about?
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 2:57PM
cheswick said...
Yeah there was a dvd version of the gamecube called the panasonic Q. It also only released in japan. But seriously you can get a brand new dvd player for 30 bucks. I don't see it as being an issue for the vast majority of people.
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 3:01PM
Number One said...
I bought a dvd player for 30 bucks at a walmart. I wont play my Incredibles disc. Which to me easily falls under the heavy heading of heresy. I want something serious not some backwater Singapore company making cheap dvd players and throwing them in the faces of those that wont loosen their grips from their VHS.
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 3:22PM
delerious said...
My 360 upscales DVDs higher than 480p. I'll have my Wii, but I care not for DVD functionality.
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 4:54PM
Number One said...
... "it" wont play my Incredibles disc... my bad... the anger. You know...
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 8:13PM
Ibrahim said...
Most likely software, because as long as you have a DVD drive and a processor capable of decoding it, pretty much any computer with a DVD drive can play DVDs, and the Wii does have a standard DVD drive. I'm thinking something along the lines of the Opera browser for people who buy it after 6 months, which can only be a good thing because that means no stupid dongle. I would buy it, just to clear up cable clutter. Some older TVs, like mine, only have one set of AV ins and it's a pain to change cables around or get one of those stupid switchers.
Reply
10-31-2006 @ 9:58PM
mike said...
I wanted DVD capability on my Wii. I don't have a DVD player, and don't want to have to bother hooking up more devices to my old TV
--
Yes you do. The computer you're typing on has a dvd player.
liar.
Reply
11-01-2006 @ 8:41AM
Mabui said...
I've seen 29 dollar DVD players here in Canada, and thats for the whole unit, I can't believe Nintendo couldn't throw that in for next to nothing, or at least, throw in the capability and sell the software update for those people who wanted it (Kinda like, they could do similiar by selling a large pack with Divx and other codec formats)
In the end, it probably would have been the best solution, I mean the people they are shooting for, with all the other crazy functionality they put in DVD play back would just have added.
In reality, given the limitations of the system (No digital audio) It wouldn't have been a super great DVD player to begin with.
What I'm really holding out for is software upscaling sold to those with HDTV's a year or two into Wii's life cycle.
Reply
11-01-2006 @ 9:42AM
David said...
Here's my thing, I have a DVD player... it's in my labtop and it's region 1, but seeing that I live in Japan getting a region 2 DVD player and a Wii at the same time was like an added bonus. When Nintendo said they were dropping DVD support I was kinda bummed. Now they are adding it on "sometime next year" should I wait, I'm gonna wait in line at Midori for a Wii the day it comes out anyhow. But, I do want to rent some movies and theres a 3,800¥ DVD player for sale down the street...
ARGH!
Reply
11-02-2006 @ 2:44AM
Burnt Meatloaf said...
It never ceases to amaze me how many people speak as though having DVD capabilities is a BAD thing.
Reply