Wii gets DVD playback...in 2007

DVD-player manufacturer jumps gun on Nintendo announcement, says enhanced Wii due in "latter half of 2007."

When Nintendo dished out its final specifications for the Wii, there seemed to be one glaring omission--DVD playback. With the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 touting built-in multimedia players, the Wii seemed to be only next-generation console unable to provide movie playback.

Now, less than a week before the Wii is even on shelves for the first time, it appears that those final specifications weren't so final after all. After weeks of speculation and Internet reports, it has been confirmed that the Wii will eventually get DVD playback.

Sonic Solutions, makers of the popular Roxio CD- and DVD-burning software, today announced that it has been chosen by Nintendo to provide "high-quality DVD movie viewing to a future version" of the Wii. Sonic Solutions says the new version of the Wii is expected in "the latter half of 2007."

When asked for comment, a representative from Nintendo confirmed the statement from Sonic Studios.

Nintendo has yet to make a formal announcement about the new Wii, and has not indicated whether DVD playback is part of a console redesign.

520 Comments

  • Jamaican-Boi

    Posted Feb 23, 2008 7:46 am GMT

    This whole entire thing is not an actual attatchment. I bought my Nintendo Wii in late December 2007 (Christmas Day). I tried to play a DVD on it, as usual my Nuntendo Wii read "The disc you have placed inside, cannot be read." So I am not sure if people are going to believe this or not, but it's not REAL. Even if they had DVD Playback on the Wii Shop for purchase, it would not work. Due to the fact the Nintendo Wii was not made to play DVD's. If they do end up making the Nintendo Wii have DVD Playback, then I will use my WARRANTY and send it back to Nintendo for the DVD Playback Wii VERSION.

  • needtogetalife

    Posted Dec 11, 2007 12:57 pm GMT

    Well I got another Wii for my Dad's place last week but i still don't care whether or not it has dvd capabilities. Why? Sure, it's probably because he has a hacked xbox with media center on it so every movie ends up on there, but it's probably because I'm more cncerned about the fact that If the wii does have dvd playback right now, being the latter half of 2007, Nintendo's P&R manager has stated that it requires more than a firmware upgrade, it must be bought at a higher price ($249 in U.S) soooooo, can't there be a way to somehow transfer all data and channels to a Wii with dvd, because I would very much like to have the Wii that i currently use primaraly that i've had since Febuary with dvd playback, but screw it if i have to scrap save data on 100 games i've completed (wii+gc+vc) especially Virtual console games, unless you could send free gifts, i'll do something anyone complaining about it should. DEAL WITH IT.

  • Zeus-Guy

    Posted Dec 5, 2007 12:38 am GMT

    This has got to be the first time I've actaully disliked what Nintendo is doing. The Wii doesn't need DVD playback., it's perfectly fine without it. Besides, I myself would never really use it, I never use a video game console for anything but games.

  • bulk_4me

    Posted Sep 24, 2007 12:22 pm GMT

    Here is the thing modchipped Wiis can play DVDs and that sucks! AFAIK is just a drive firmware update, and probably a channel I dunno why they keep holding this update...

  • promano3

    Posted Sep 16, 2007 1:25 pm GMT

    I hope they just come out with like a Wii "Elite". Better graphics, dvd playback, online capabilities, etc. So people can stop b****ing about the graphics. Cuz that's all people really say about the Wii when they compare it to other systems as well as when they rate Wii games. "Gameplay great, graphics phhttttt!" If Wii gets better graphics...AND dvd playback, I don't see any reason to complain!

  • estratosarq

    Posted Aug 12, 2007 1:30 am GMT

    Nintendo says in its own page
    http://wii.nintendo.com/wii_faq_other.jsp
    Wiis before late 2006 does not play cd's or dvd's... so, because i was oe of the first people of gettin it i does not have that feature??
    come on!!
    Is it going to be a firmware update? or is it to be a total new wii that
    reads cds or dvds!!
    some knows something about that??...

  • user9000

    Posted Jul 27, 2007 10:49 am GMT

    while I'm still Holding out for this Supposed Updated Wii, but I'm sure this will be like the snes cd system, the n64 disk drive, and any other format changes/add ons for nintendo systems and won't happen. then again we did get GBA SP, maybe we will see a 'WII SP' but I think i'm done holding my breath

  • ThePlothole

    Posted Jul 23, 2007 12:13 am GMT

    They can't just "make a freaken firmware update". There are royalty fees, which Nintendo would have to pay for EVERY SINGLE Wii they've made thus far.

  • bulk_4me

    Posted Jul 9, 2007 3:40 pm GMT

    Mmmm any updates on this issue?

  • ronney81

    Posted Jul 5, 2007 11:10 am GMT

    Just make a freakin firmware update if they release new wii's with dvd playback without firmware thing nintendo will loose alot !!

  • couggod

    Posted May 26, 2007 6:51 pm GMT

    Couldn't Nintendo offer DVD playback as a channel or through a firmware update. Since I'm Going to assume thats DVD reader in there and not a CD reader for the Wii disk drive. Just like it took them a while to get all of the stuff on the console to work, DVD will come in time

  • kennytheshark

    Posted May 12, 2007 11:29 pm GMT

    Will the 2007 release have any other advantages. has it even been confirmed?

    I suppose it could be worth waiting though because i always rushed into buying Nintendo products.

    Gameboy - Gameboy colour
    Gameboy Advance - SP
    DS - DS Lite
    Cube - QCube

    but as has been said below if this is just a dvd player than its pointless because everyone already has atleast one dvd player.
    But if we need the 2007 model for 2007+ games than we had better wait.

  • prozack28

    Posted May 10, 2007 1:38 pm GMT

    update

  • ZatchSora

    Posted Apr 21, 2007 1:48 pm GMT

    Damn it i hope it has a attachment for the wii so they dont have to buyt it again

  • Utra

    Posted Apr 14, 2007 4:10 pm GMT

    if its only part of the new models then whats the point, most ppl who want a wii have one..

  • WESTOMOPRESTO

    Posted Mar 16, 2007 12:03 pm GMT

    well the wii wont have a attachment because nintendo is generally nice about it's prices. IM POSTING FROM MY WII!

  • neo418

    Posted Mar 4, 2007 10:45 am GMT

    You know I don't really care if it is a dvd player or not but if it could play divx that would be really cool

  • darklink125

    Posted Mar 2, 2007 5:16 pm GMT

    i hope they have an update cuz i dont want to buy it again

  • thang2162

    Posted Dec 17, 2006 9:11 pm GMT

    Do you guys realize that Sonic Solutions is a software and not a hardware company? The Wii already has a DVD drive in it since that is what all Wii games are written on! In any case this probably means that the DVD playback will be nothing more than a firmware update because the only reason why the Wii won't playback DVDs is because they lack the necessary software to do so!

  • Lord_ZZZ

    Posted Dec 12, 2006 7:38 am GMT

    So we'll have to buy a new console to get the dvd playback? thats a load of bull****

  • Staryoshi87

    Posted Dec 7, 2006 6:57 pm GMT

    New console

  • zacazaca520

    Posted Nov 30, 2006 10:19 am GMT

    dvd player. update or new console?

  • jaggy_12

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 5:59 pm GMT

    Just to add to that, nintendo probably won't just add dvd playback. They'll hav to add more. The most probable thing is HD compatible and probably a different colours or look. I'm styll gonna wait.

  • fireboy1414

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 2:14 pm GMT

    me personally i dont care if it has dvd...i have a dvd player to do that

  • jaggy_12

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 1:52 pm GMT

    Awesome!! I can wait, I won't make the same mistake, LOL. I bought a ds and then ds lite came out. So im gonna wait

  • SPANNER-MAN

    Posted Nov 20, 2006 6:06 am GMT

    This is because nintendo is doing everything to not mess up this time like they did the cube. They learn from there mistakes.

  • fertyop

    Posted Nov 19, 2006 8:11 pm GMT

    DVD playback isn't necessary for a console, who doesn't have a DVD player these days anyways? Even if you didn't have one, you can get one for 30 bucks.

  • murlow12

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 10:41 am GMT

    No reason to wait for this. The only question I have is how much will the new Wii w/DVD player cost?

  • Darth-Revan45

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 9:28 am GMT

    Who the hell cares, I have 3 DVD players that I got for 25 bucks, I dont need videos in my Gaming systems, my PS2 has one but I have never used it for that!

  • _Sam_

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 3:50 pm GMT

    I already have a few dvd players, my computer, and my ps2 to play dvds on, so the fact that the Wii doesn't support DVD playback didn't effect me

  • Banjo4321

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 6:42 am GMT

    Well I had to go buy a freakin DVD player this week because the Wii is not going to have one. My laptop and Xbox will play DVDs, but I won't be using my Xbox anymore and I will never watch a DVD on my laptop. So DVD playback on the Wii would have been nice.

    And why does everyone here say, I already have 10 DVD players? Do you connect all these things to a single TV at once? My TV only has one regular sound and video input and now I will have to switch between my DVD player and Wii connections everytime I want to use one or the other.

    Finally, why does everyone say "you can get a DVD player for under 20 bucks!" Really, please tell me where you can get one for that cheap! The cheapest ones are usually around $30, and I would never go near one of them because they will die on the first day. If you want a half decent one you will have to spend at least $50-100.

  • Gatonexell

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 6:31 am GMT

    Nintendo is making a huge mistake here. If you're going to add DVD playback to the Wii, then make it an attachment, like the 360's HD-DVD drive. Some people will kill for DVD playback, and Nintendo will lose sales this year to people like that who want to have a console that plays DVDs sitting next to their DVD player. I'm getting a regular Wii, as I see no point in waiting a year for something I can already do with another piece of hardware.

  • Xbox360gamer1

    Posted Nov 15, 2006 6:35 pm GMT

    Can't this just be done via Firmware upgrade? It has a DVD player in it.

  • BillyBob

    Posted Nov 15, 2006 6:23 pm GMT

    I, for one, was a bit shocked when I first found out the Revolution (don't criticize me) will not have DVD playback. I'm somewhat thrilled that these consoles will be providing that feature later on (NEXT YEAR! ARGH!) in a "better late than never" attitude.

    Now, I'm making an assumption here, but if they follow through with this plan, it looks like early adopters will be burned by this. One can only hope that they also provide a firmware update for early consoles as opposed to forcing consumers to buy a new Rev for the same exorbitant price they paid for the first one.

    Granted, the console will be the cheapest of all the offerings, but $250 is still quite the wad to drop. Let's just see what happens...

  • i_like_evil

    Posted Nov 15, 2006 8:33 am GMT

    crusader8463 makes a valid point.. but some people will just not live without it built in for some weird reason. And seeing as Nintendo likes to cater for everyone, DVD playback is the way they have decided to go.

  • Maquis_UK

    Posted Nov 15, 2006 8:16 am GMT

    Wii-Lite. yummy.

  • crusader8463

    Posted Nov 15, 2006 2:19 am GMT

    its just a waste of time and money for Nintendo, since people can buy a real dvd player for like $30 and below.. kinda stupid really....

  • S_Pac_316

    Posted Nov 14, 2006 9:28 pm GMT

    I don't care if the Wii has DVD playback or not. I already have a DVD player. I just want a GAMING system.

  • ShadowCruiser2K

    Posted Nov 14, 2006 9:06 pm GMT

    Vash67 - "They should have just released an attachment like the Q on the Cube."

    What in the world are you talking about? Not only are you dumb enough to believe that it's a marketing ploy by Nintendo, you're dumb enough to not even know what you're trying to argue about. The Q was a stand-alone unit, not an attachment. It was a NGC with DVD playback developed by Panasonic. It's the exact same thing that they are doing now with the Wii, only this time with a lot more press, and first party development. Honestly dude, stay in school. Or go back to school, whatever your case may be. And maybe do some research next time before posting.

    Personally, I think it's a good thing that they're doing. You get to choose. Albeit, not on launch day, but you'll get to choose. I for one do not care about DVD playback for obvious reasons, but I'm sure some people would love to have it, and it does have it merits.

  • Robert_K2

    Posted Nov 14, 2006 8:11 pm GMT

    Let's hear it for the brilliant minds at Nintendo and their Wii Wii's!!

  • Junji-Hiroma

    Posted Nov 14, 2006 7:23 pm GMT

    choice and customization.....
    Nintendo doesn't know about it...
    Sony doesn't care....
    MS is the ONLY company that let's the customer CHOOSE what they want to do with their system instead of packing everything into one and forcing it onto the customer!

  • benri4761

    Posted Nov 14, 2006 7:12 pm GMT

    Vash67 - I get to comment on another dumb post of yours. Who cares about DVD playback in a console? If you don't already have a DVD player then why are you wasting your money on a game console? Don't act like its some clever inducement to get people to purchase multiple systems, Nintendo probably just has the good sense to realize that including an ultimately superfluous feature in their console should not inhibit their ability to bring it to market this holiday season.

  • Vash67

    Posted Nov 14, 2006 7:10 pm GMT

    Wow, how childish of Nintendo. Potentially trying to get people to buy 2 Wiis. They should have just released an attachment like the Q on the Cube. But then again, we all know how Nintendo likes to abandon it's peripherials.

  • zachturner

    Posted Nov 14, 2006 5:30 pm GMT

    this isnt a big deal unless they start making games that you have to have the 2007 wii to play them on
    if they do and you have to buy the new one, it'll suck, especially if you paid for and downloaded a bunch of games on the virtual console and cant move them onto your new wii

  • white_sox

    Posted Nov 14, 2006 4:04 pm GMT

    Wow, why though?

  • gam3r3OOO

    Posted Nov 14, 2006 3:58 pm GMT

    Theres no way I'm waiting for a whole year just to have DVD playback on a Wii. Besides I already have multiple dvd players. If anything they should give it blu-ray or HD DVD playback in a year. I think this ploy is an attempt at selling more Wii's but seriously who doesn't have a DVD player.

  • shasam712

    Posted Nov 14, 2006 3:54 pm GMT

    Who cares...buy a DVD player for like £10, I would rather not ware out the laser on a console.

  • stealth89

    Posted Nov 14, 2006 3:43 pm GMT

    lol, nintendo

  • ps2fanboy91

    Posted Nov 14, 2006 3:11 pm GMT

    This is something I expected from Nintendo...

    N64-the expansion plug in, rumble...
    Gamecube- the GBA to gamecube everything
    What should we expect from the wii?

  • PiMacleod_basic

    Posted Nov 14, 2006 3:00 pm GMT

    Clear the Slate. Wipe it Clean.

    Okay, lets say theoretically that there will be TWO Wii systems in the future, which is pretty much the worst-case scenario. This would not bother me ONE BIT. Why? Because I have my 360, my DVD player, my computer, my PS2.....yeah, I have no lack of DVD playback in my house....and I'm pretty sure most people have a few of these too. It's that simple.

    Let's look at it another way -- 360 is getting a HD-DVD add-on....would it be that far-fetched to envision a DVD add-on for the Wii??? I don't think so. It seems almost too easy, really. With the Wii's specs being just above the XBox, there's no reason why it wouldn't be able to handle a DVD with an add-on. Plus, it'd be cheap, because DVD players themselves are very cheap as of late.

    So, in the end, don't worry. If you're a gamer, you're not buying this as a DVD player, because gamers have a PS2, a computer, or something similar. If you're not a gamer, you probably STILL have a DVD player in the house somewhere. And if you're not a gamer, you're not on this website, are you? It would be amazing to me to find ONE Gamespot account holder that doesn't have a DVD player of any kind.

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