Wii U passing on DVD, Blu-ray

When Microsoft and Sony were engaged in the HD DVD vs. Blu-ray format wars at the beginning of the current-console generation, Nintendo opted to abstain from video playback entirely with the Wii. Now, it appears as if Nintendo plans to carry over that strategy to its next console, the Wii U.

Today, Nintendo posted an interview transcript from the 2011 Electronic Entertainment Expo in which company president Satoru Iwata confirms the Wii U will not support the DVD or Blu-ray video playback standards.

"Wii U does not have DVD or Blu-ray playback capabilities," Iwata said. "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."

When the Wii U was unveiled at this year's E3, Nintendo said that games will be delivered on a proprietary high-density optical disc format similar in size to a DVD. The device will also be able to download and play software.

Check out GameSpot's extensive breakdown of what's known of the Wii U for more on Nintendo's latest console.