Japan to get Wii with DVD playback

Wii News | Also: CNN deal denied.

Nintendo will release a version of its Wii console with DVD playback functionality in Japan. That's according to the latest edition of Edge magazine, as well as Nintendo itself, which confirmed the news to GamesIndustry.biz. The new model will launch next year, though a spokesperson refused to be drawn on a more specific date. "There are currently plans to release a version of Wii in Japan featuring DVD playback," he said, adding, "There are currently no plans to bring this model to Europe or the US."

The representative also dismissed claims that Nintendo had originally planned to launch the Wii for £150 / US$200 as false, stating that, "Price is set by retailers, not by manufacturers, so there is no truth in this assumption." And there was a further denial when Ninty's spokesperson revealed that no deal had been struck between CNN and Nintendo for the media giant to provide content for the Wii news channel in the US and Japan: "We have currently announced no deals with any news or weather service provider for Wii channels."

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Australian Wii launch details revealed
15 Sep, 2006 AU$399.95, December 7th.

5 Comments

theory

5 years ago

Tis the Panasonic Q all over again!

Lucky Japanese gamers.

Ellegarden

5 years ago

theory wrote

Lucky Japanese gamers.

Japanese gamers are always lucky.

TheAnswer

5 years ago

Now for someone to work out for to mod the dvd drive and have an all region (well at least JAP and US) dvd player in it like lik-sang did with the Q

5 years ago

If there is a Q-like model made for Japan I'll buy one. If its just a firmware alteration then nah..

As for the pricing - I believe Nintendo was willing, but seeing the buzz around Wii gather momentum, decided to claw back as much money as they could. This in my humble opinion, will be a regrettable mistake. I do believe current pricing is not conducive to bring in non-gamers critical to Wii long term position as a hardware vendor..

I also strongly believe that the path to success for Nintendo is mass appeal built quickly as the advantages of the controller will be eroded by 3rd party vendors – likely Logitech in due time, and the limited graphics & CPU capabilities will make the system age rapidly over the next 24 months.

Middle aged women do love SingStar as well as patting cute Nintendogs, and everyone wants to be a guitar hero - Add-on peripherals will be the big thing over the next 2 years and I hope Nintendo can successfully steer a path through the mountain of alternative “gaming experiences” (God I hate that over-used term).

I'm buying a Wii, but Id like to see the world buy one for AU$299 and AU$50 per game. Anyway play your best Nintendo - good luck in the race.

ZNMS

5 years ago

It would be a nice incentive if this Nintendo Wii model does make the journey to other regions, but if not, I'm glad I have my Xbox and Sony PlayStation 2 as backup.

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