Final Wii specs lack DVD playback

Nintendo confirms final version of its next-gen console will only play "12-centimeter optical discs for the Wii console," and it has abandoned original plans for DVD peripheral. Complete spec sheet inside.

At E3 2005, Nintendo showed off its next-generation console, then code-named "Revolution." Besides being the successor to the GameCube, the machine was to be the first Nintendo console to offer the potential for DVD playback. (Note: Panasonic did make a DVD-playing GameCube known as the Q for sale in Asia.)

Games for the Revolution, which has since been rechristened the Wii, would come on discs the same size as DVDs, and not the smaller, proprietary-format discs used by the GameCube. So when the console was first announced, Nintendo said that the console was capable of playing DVD movies, although it would require an "attachment" to do so.

The possible inclusion of DVD support was a major change of course for Nintendo, which had previously derided attempts by rivals Microsoft and Sony to bill their consoles as online-enabled multimedia devices. But when Nintendo announced a whole host of functions for its next-gen device today, many industry-watchers felt the company had finally embraced the concept of a console being used for forms of entertainment other than games.

Then, a funny thing happened. Nintendo released the final specs for the Wii--and nowhere did it mention anything about DVDs. In fact, the company described the console's disc drive as: "A single self-loading media bay will play single- or double-layered 12-centimeter optical discs for the Wii console, as well as 8-centimeter Nintendo GameCube discs."

The omission of any mention of DVDs led some to believe that Nintendo had decided to abandon any attempt to have the Wii support DVD playback. As it turns out, those skeptics were right. Today, Nintendo confirmed to GameSpot that the Wii will have no DVD playback and will not have an option for a DVD dongle or add-on in its current form.

"They were originally considering an external [DVD] attachment," a rep for the company said of the Wii's designers. "But because the price of DVD players has dropped so much and they have become so commonplace, Nintendo saw no need to create extra hardware options that would drive up the cost for consumers."

That said, other than the multimedia features, the Wii remains largely the same as before. It will still sport four GameCube controller ports, two GameCube memory-card slots, two USB 2.0 ports, and an SD Card slot. Its IEEE802.11 Wi-Fi capability will let it communicate wirelessly with the DS handheld or the Internet, and it still doesn't have high-definition video output, though it will support component and S-Video output.

A complete rundown of the Wii's technical specifications--quoted directly from Nintendo--is below:

WII Launch Date and MSRP: Nov. 19, 2006, in the Americas at an MSRP of $249.99.

Color: White.

Size: About 8.5 inches long, 6 inches wide and less than two inches thick (157mm x 215.4mm x 44mm).

Controls: "Up to four Wii Remote controllers can be connected at once using wireless Bluetooth technology. The wireless signal can be detected within 10 meters of the console. Both the Wii remote and Nunchuk controllers include a three-axis motion sensor. The Wii Remote controller also includes a speaker, rumble feature and expansion port, and can be used as a pointer within 5 meters of the screen. The Wii Remote controller has a power switch, plus pad, A, B, Minus, Home, 1 and 2 buttons. The Nunchuk controller includes an analog control stick and C and Z buttons."

The Look: "The Wii console features a compact design that...can be displayed either vertically or horizontally."

Media: "A single self-loading media bay will play single- or double-layered 12-centimeter optical discs for the Wii console, as well as 8-centimeter Nintendo GameCube discs."

Channels: "The Wii Channel Menu is the main gateway for a variety of...interactive multimedia, entertainment and communication functions."

Communication: "The Wii console can communicate with the Internet even when the power is turned off. The WiiConnect24 service [content and game updates] even if the system is idle. Users can connect wirelessly using IEEE 802.11, or with a USB 2.0 LAN adaptor. The Wii console also can communicate wirelessly with the Nintendo DS."

Virtual Console: "The Wii console will have downloadable access to 20 years of fan-favorite titles originally released for Nintendo 64, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The Virtual Console also will feature a 'best of' selection from Sega Genesis titles and games from the TurboGrafix 16 console. It also will be home to new games conceived by indie developers."

The Specs: "The Wii console has 512 megabytes of internal flash memory, two USB 2.0 ports and built-in Wi-Fi capability. A bay for an SD memory card will let players expand the internal flash memory. Design was optimized with state-of-the-art processing technologies that minimize power consumption, keep the console compact and enable the 'sleepless' WiiConnect24 mode."

CPU: "PowerPC CPU (code-named "Broadway") Made with a 90 nm SOI CMOS process, jointly developed with and manufactured by IBM."

Graphics Processing Unit: "Being developed with ATI."

Other Features: "Four ports for Nintendo GameCube controllers. Two slots for Nintendo GameCube memory cards. An AV Multi-output port for component, composite, or S-video."

735 Comments

  • sirgooch

    Posted Jun 3, 2007 12:16 pm PT

    I like the fact all of you neglect to realize the entertainment you can get from a wii. sure the graphics are not amazing but the fact that the motion capture is so responsive and engaging makes up for its shortcomings. i love the wii and the fact that they don't have dvd compadability i don't need to watch a dvd on a console. and if ya don't have a wii please don't waste your breath i go on youtube on my wii and thats all i do anyway very rarely do i watch dvd's

  • bear1961

    Posted May 19, 2007 8:25 am PT

    this sucks nintedo sucks a** they are horrible. they might as well just gave the gamecube a bew version. gamecube 2.0 sounds good. all they did was add a motion controller and internet. pitiful. I HATE U NINTENDO. U ARE CRACKHEADS WHO DONT NO WHAT A NEXT GEN SYSTEM IS. U SHOULD HAVE CAME OUT WITH THIS 10 YEARS AGO. MAYBE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WORTH GETTING. NOT NOW HELL NO!

  • Dark_Pheonix01

    Posted Nov 24, 2006 5:28 pm PT

    Yeah, it does seem kind of like a good idea to not include DVD playback in the console. I mean, regular DVD players have been out for years now and are as cheap as dirt, so its not like you cant watch DVDs anyway. At least this way the console price doesnt go up.

  • Dabwiso

    Posted Nov 22, 2006 7:36 am PT

    only 512mb,come on!!!!!

  • yodamendez

    Posted Nov 18, 2006 5:29 pm PT

    I have only bought nintendo consoles since i started playing games, and i love it´s video games, but unless nintendo stops **** around and puts some new hardware specs, it will go bankrupt. these stupid desicions have already cost them their leadership in the vg industry. c´mon, nintendo, learn from your mistakes!!

  • ekolite

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 6:13 am PT

    I am very happy with the no dvd decision. Nintendo sticks even more with their roots with a game only machine. I will be one of the first in line hopefully at the store to pick mine up friday night before midnight. Even if Zelda is the only title to get at launch... it will prove to gamers even more that you don't have to need the very best graphics to make a great game. Good luck Nintendo... good luck Sony... good luck Microsoft. Let the games begin.

  • brotherscampos

    Posted Nov 15, 2006 6:29 am PT

    ohh my god is too cheap

  • Kholdstare_fire

    Posted Nov 14, 2006 3:11 pm PT

    I already have a 360, but I actually considred picking up a Wii. The specs don't amaze me at all, but the games look really fun.

  • dtfann003

    Posted Nov 7, 2006 12:21 pm PT

    the will is the small guy in the race. But it's made for game's, not movies. Take note of that ps3, and 360. I have a 360, I dont play movies in it. I play games. I would like to see the wii kickass on every one.

  • ColossusKiller

    Posted Nov 6, 2006 4:11 pm PT

    Yes! YES! YEEEESSSS! I HEart we so much! Do you guys agree with mii?

  • ldavidtw2000

    Posted Nov 5, 2006 7:43 pm PT

    But still even with those awesome specs...
    is there any game designed for Wii that requiers those high-end stuff?

    if you're looking for graphics go either ps3 or 360, or you're hardcore enough go computer, they're always offering the best graphics. wii is just fun and special, it's not in this graphics battle stuff. even it is, computer still owns all.

  • MUN200455996

    Posted Nov 4, 2006 9:20 pm PT

    I believe that another site (either ign or hardocp, can't remember which), listed the cpu as a 750Mhz power PC derivative and the running consensus from respectable tech sites across the net with access to the prerelease tookits for the Wii is that the gpu is based on the now extinct X1600 architecture, basicly its about 1/3 the graphical power of either the 360 or the PS3 (sans the physics processes of the PS3 aswell). The kicker is that it only puts out up to 480p resolution so to do some of the same shader stuff as the big graphic and dollar systems it is well equiped. Note: the most difficult thing for a graphics card to do is resolution due to the huge increase in pixels and thereby calculations dumped to the gpu by only a slight resolution increase of say 480p (640x480 pixels in 4:3 mode or say roughly 850x480 in widescreen), to say 720p (960x720 or 1024x768 in 4:3 or roughly 1280x720 or 1366x720 in widescreen), in changing up to the 720p resolution you go from 300,000 pixels and thereby calculations to 920,000 pixels or calculations thereby quickly shedding a fair bit of the performance the more powerfull systems gain with their highend gpu's. Basicly not that huge of a difference after all but its still up to the software manufacturers to make use of serious optimzation of graphics to really draw the best out of the gpu.

  • MUN200455996

    Posted Nov 4, 2006 9:20 pm PT

    I believe that another site (either ign or hardocp, can't remember which), listed the cpu as a 750Mhz power PC derivative and the running consensus from respectable tech sites across the net with access to the prerelease tookits for the Wii is that the gpu is based on the now extinct X1600 architecture, basicly its about 1/3 the graphical power of either the 360 or the PS3 (sans the physics processes of the PS3 aswell). The kicker is that it only puts out up to 480p resolution so to do some of the same shader stuff as the big graphic and dollar systems it is well equiped. Note: the most difficult thing for a graphics card to do is resolution due to the huge increase in pixels and thereby calculations dumped to the gpu by only a slight resolution increase of say 480p (640x480 pixels in 4:3 mode or say roughly 850x480 in widescreen), to say 720p (960x720 or 1024x768 in 4:3 or roughly 1280x720 or 1366x720 in widescreen), in changing up to the 720p resolution you go from 300,000 pixels and thereby calculations to 920,000 pixels or calculations thereby quickly shedding a fair bit of the performance the more powerfull systems gain with their highend gpu's. Basicly not that huge of a difference after all but its still up to the software manufacturers to make use of serious optimzation of graphics to really draw the best out of the gpu.

  • Colonel_Cool

    Posted Nov 4, 2006 6:32 pm PT

    hmmm, doesn't say anything about the gpu, other than its ATI, or the proc.

  • lt100

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 6:00 pm PT

    maybe there will be an upgrade over Wii connect 24 alowing it to play DVD's

  • Brain_Fart

    Posted Nov 1, 2006 10:38 pm PT

    I've been sleeping at the wheel for this tech news, but I'm glad they didn't give the Wii DVD playback. Seriously, their so common and cheap to purchase it would of been a waste of resources and a few extra bucks on the price. Good going Big N, keep it up.

  • Mengzor

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 12:13 pm PT

    wii graphics by ati D:
    >.>

  • mexisnake

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 9:53 pm PT

    sweet

  • nhlkoho

    Posted Oct 30, 2006 6:19 am PT

    who doesn't have a dvd player already? i don't know about you guys but I can count 4 to 5 in my room alone. why the hell would i want another? all i want the Wii for is to play games.

  • lucas_kelly

    Posted Oct 29, 2006 1:39 am PT

    Well thats a bummer isn't it.

  • fox3586

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 2:21 pm PT

    good for nintendo!

  • Baddtrip_basic

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 12:22 am PT

    Who cares if it has DVD playback or not, it's a Nintendo for crying out loud. Anyway, most of the games are gonna be WEAK so it really don't need DVD playback.

  • lovalova1

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 8:47 pm PT

    thank god it doesn't have a dvd player. I dont need any good technology all i want is its weak-ass games and inferior graphics

  • el_polloloco

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 6:22 pm PT

    XD))) it doesnt matter its not like anyone needs another dvd player i mean its just putting useless crap into the wii

  • XGxAxMxExRX

    Posted Oct 23, 2006 6:55 pm PT

    aww it would be so perfect for the wii i mean the controller does look like a remote

  • solidroko

    Posted Oct 22, 2006 1:47 pm PT

    When will they show the full system spec ?

  • The_Weekend

    Posted Oct 21, 2006 7:08 am PT

    ENough talk! release it already!!!

  • ShweyGamer

    Posted Oct 19, 2006 10:52 am PT

    whats a DVD?

  • jmegasite

    Posted Oct 18, 2006 4:13 pm PT

    Oh well. Most people have DVD players anyway, so it really doesn't matter. But for the people who don't, then you'll have to buy one. Besides, you can get dvd players at a very cheap price now.

  • metalmulisha808

    Posted Oct 18, 2006 4:09 am PT

    i want one. the dvd player doesnt matter... since i already have one. this is suppose to be a gaming console and thats what it is.

  • michael31303

    Posted Oct 17, 2006 1:36 pm PT

    Does it have DOLBY digital or the old PROLOGIC ? anyone have a clue?

  • Ian_Michael

    Posted Oct 14, 2006 1:33 am PT

    It doesn't really matter, who doesn't have a dvd player at home? Even then you can get a player for less than the cost of a game.

  • icevitaman359

    Posted Oct 13, 2006 9:04 pm PT

    Oh no! People will have to use one of the other 8 dvd players in their house to watch movies! Also, looks like Nintendo doesn't want us to pirate games onto dvd discs and play them on the console, why would they do such a thing? It's as if they actually want to stop pirating unlike some other companies.

  • marty352

    Posted Oct 13, 2006 5:36 am PT

    No im guessing that there is no movie codec built in the system, u can still read a dvd disc just not watch movies cos there no codec 4 it... sominc like that anyways

  • alifont

    Posted Oct 12, 2006 11:36 am PT

    No DVD peripheral? Woe is me! Looks like I'll just have to use it for the purpose it's intended and continue using the Xbox 360 I already have to play movies.

  • kairnz

    Posted Oct 12, 2006 8:16 am PT

    No DVD drive, does that mean games would come in 3-4 CDs?

  • genoj00

    Posted Oct 11, 2006 6:54 pm PT

    not that its a bad thing but the wii having game cube controller ports and game cube memory slots makes me feel the wii is game cube2 or something =/. The Virtual Console ensures the wii's success imo

  • nfreak

    Posted Oct 11, 2006 6:03 pm PT

    video games are for playing games and not watching movies. That is why there are DVD Players being sold around. But just to get ahead, Sony adds DVD feature to its consoles. What a loser Sony really is.

  • OddlyNice666242

    Posted Oct 10, 2006 3:04 pm PT

    Well c'mon i know half us gamers out there gotta have a PS2 or a XBOX, so if the Wii is lackin in a DvD player the world won't end ^_^ it would own if it did, but we will get over it.

  • stanislavski86

    Posted Oct 8, 2006 12:16 am PT

    It is not about hardware it is about getting the licence for the movies.

  • niwom510

    Posted Oct 7, 2006 5:19 pm PT

    meh, i'll be watching DVD's (and HDDVD's hopefully). I'm not worried if HDDVD's will go obsolete and be overtaken by Blue-Ray *cough* beta-max *cough.*

  • smeginthehead

    Posted Oct 7, 2006 11:47 am PT

    I have a Prog scan DVD player with my surround sound, I have a DVD player in my PS2, a DVD player in my XB360, and DVD in my computer that plays through te HD TV. Sorry I do not care if the Wii has DVD. Still think the damn thing should be cheaper tho.

  • afrak300

    Posted Oct 7, 2006 10:14 am PT

    the key for nintendo is to sell at the lowest price point to undersell the competition so every one can aford a wii while only few will be able to aford a ps3. i think the new joystick and game controler will be a big hit and for the graphics most people cant afford a 6,000 hd tv to play a ps3 at the quality it can render while shelling out another 600 for the ps3 i bleave this system will be the winner of the consoles for the next three years

  • carpepoon

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 8:43 pm PT

    Those specs seem to be in line with what you can expect at the Wii's price point. Also, I don't think the lack of DVD will make any difference to most consumers. Everyone already has a dedicated DVD player, they don't need a game system to allow them to play DVD's. I can't wait to buy a Wii!

  • mph_chap

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 7:20 pm PT

    i think that this will have a huge imput on how many wii are sold......wtf why would they not have a dvd player instulled in it? who thinks this is a bad choice by nintendo?

  • ninjoslot

    Posted Oct 5, 2006 7:52 am PT

    whatever works for them(nintendo). frankly i dont think there's a need for a dvd drive or extensions cos if there's one thing i hate most, it's using a console for other purposes than what it's actually meant for...which is gaming!!! but if their tray that plays "single- or double-layered 12-centimeter optical discs" can handle games of this generation, then more power to them. i dont care much what nintendo does. i've since been bored with playing mario over and over again...might miss seamus and link though.

  • elozl

    Posted Oct 4, 2006 6:24 pm PT

    Wii want it real bad!!!
    And of course ill buy a multiregion dvd player before thinking that i would lay a movie on Wii...
    This is JUST FOR GAMES!!

  • X360PS3AMD05

    Posted Oct 4, 2006 5:15 am PT

    I just bought a $80 Philips DVD Divx Ultra Player so i don't really mind I want a black wii though!!!

  • Ross_Boss

    Posted Oct 3, 2006 12:23 pm PT

    That`'s fine most people have a dvd player any way i have one aswell. i am still getting the Wii no matter what.

  • futs22

    Posted Oct 3, 2006 10:53 am PT

    For me DVD capability is irrelevant. I have a separate DVD player for movies and such. Game consoles are for game discs. Plain and simple. Besides, A DVD player nowadays is really cheap. You can get a pretty decent one for less than $90. However, regarding HD-DVD and Blu-Ray movie discs...well, I'll see how things play out in this new format war and then choose the appropriate player. In any case, it is still my prerogative to have a separate player for movies.

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