Nintendo does not want its next-generation Wii U game console to become a Blu-ray and DVD player, which is why it will not support playback of appropriate formats. Slashing support of BD and DVD allows Nintendo to cut down the cost of the console since it will not need to pay for technology licenses.

"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 did not warrant the cost involved to build that functionality into the Wii U console because of the patents related to those technologies," said Satoru Iwata, the president of Nintendo, reports Gamasutra web-site.

Nintendo used proprietary optical discs with its GameCube console and while it used industry-standard 12cm discs with Wii, the latter did not support DVD in all regions but Japan.

Nintendo Wii U combines motion-sensing game play with the ability to support full HD graphics and generally performance demanding games that can run on consoles like Microsoft Xbox 360 or Sony PlayStation 3. The system itself is based on a custom IBM Power microprocessor as well as a modern ATI Radeon HD graphics chip with high-definition graphics and video support. But the main feature of the code-named Cafe game console is its unique controller with 6.2" touch-screen that also features an accelerometer and a gyroscope, a rumble feature, an inward-facing camera, a microphone and speakers that can be used to play both classic Gamecube/Wii games as well as specially designed titles that take advantage of the screen. Each Wii U console will be partnered with a new controller and can also use up to four additional Wii Remote or Wii Remote Plus controllers. The system is also backward compatible and can play all Wii games and use all Wii accessories. Nintendo Wii U will cost more than $249.

Tags: Wii U, Nintendo, Wii, DVD, Blu-ray