They have their own 25GB Storage Discs but will not play any form of media disc. Not even playing DVD's is a bit of a surprise.
 
Just another thing it can not do to add to the list, Nintendo, what on earth you thinking at the moment?
 
http://kotaku.com/5812090/the-wii-u-will-not-play-dvds-and-blu+ray-discs

That feels like a bad move. Why not play DVD's? =S

I guess it's a bit of a bummer but I have like a couple dozen things that can play dvds and my ps3 for the blu-rays I seldom watch.

I think Nintendo is thinking they're making a video game console. For games. I don't think every console needs to be an all inclusive media center thingamajig.

I'm fine with that. Focus on the game part, Nintendo, that's why I love ya.

That feels like a bad move. Why not play DVD's? =S

Kinda weird but its Nintendo so its not like they should feel obliged to conform to anything since theyve made a name from going against any sorta grain or patern in the last 6 years

What the fuck is wrong with them

Finaly, I hate DVDs. I just don't like all discs, they're too fragile. Srew that man.

@Dimsey said:

I guess it's a bit of a bummer but I have like a couple dozen things that can play dvds and my ps3 for the blu-rays I seldom watch.

This. I don't need a fourth DVD Player in my house.

Everyone already has a DVD player. No one needs DVD video playback on a Wii U. I don't see why Nintendo should pay to license DVD video playback when no one is going to use it. Blu-ray might have been beneficial, but they're creating their own proprietary disk format to avoid licensing Blu-ray from the BDA, so it was obvious that wasn't going to happen.

Seems like kind of a bummer. But ultimately if you want to play Wii U you're going to buy one, with our without DVD or Blu Ray support. Like people have said, most people who are going to buy a Wii U already have 2-3 ways to play DVD's so it shouldn't matter that much.

dunno why a few of you are so butthurt over this. do you really need another dvd player?

Netflix. End of.

This is not the rear 2001 were having the thing play DVDs is a big deal. The average gamer, hell the average person in general already has some form of device to play DVDs or blu-rays. Let Nintendo focus on what they do best.

I can totally understand the "just a videogame system" angle Dimsey provided, but seeing as how DVD movie support is seemingly a standard feature amongst videogame systems spanned over the last 10 years (except the 'cube and the Wii), Nintendo can't help but stick out like a sore thumb in that regard.
 
I guess it should be known now that Nintendo doesn't do DVD movies.

Now they're making their own disk format to save a couple of bucks on licensing Blu-ray? *Sigh*

Meh. It's not like people buying won't have some sort of DVD player...

DVD players cost like $20 to the customer. Nintendo are really cutting corners, even if it's just DVD playback.

I don't really care about the Wii U right now, but I don't see this as a problem. I can't remember the last time I used a dvd  and knew they wouldn't have blu ray. I'm glad there focusing on the gaming and since its a proprietary media it will help prevent piracy. As long as they have Netflix  I don't think most people will care either.

They like money, piles of it, that's why

If it played Blu-rays, I'd be impressed but I'm not concerned over the loss of DVDs.  I fully expected Nintendo to come up with a proprietary format and Reggie all but admitted it when he spoke with Geoff Knightley during E3.  The Gamecube couldn't play DVDs either and I doubt that was the deciding factor in its success.  It's not a big deal and as Seriously Now said, it will have Netflix integrated, so people will still have that option if they really need to watch a movie on their console.  You can get a DVD player for $20 these days anyway.

This is cocky from Nintendo. 'Let's save a little so we can make more profit, it worked with the Wii!' That's assuming they can strike gold twice in a row. Which is very unlikely. Iwata even said he wants people to wait with buying a PS3 so they can buy a WiiU. Doesn't he realise a lot of people buy stuff with a checklist. Checking boxes like Reggie. No movie playback is a big empy unchecked box for people walking into stores. 
I have a feeling a (too) large portion of the estimated 300 dollars WiiU is going to cost is the controller.

Well, Nintendo didn't incorporate DVD tech when it was relevant. Their differently not doing it now.

With the Xbox 360 and PS3 adding more media functionality as time goes on, I find this a bit odd. Granted, physical media will probably fade in time, but certainly not in the next 1 ½ - 2 years.

It's not like I needed another Blu-Ray or DVD player, anyway.

In terms of the comments about not needing another movie playback device...
 
Is that not the point?
I do not want 10 bloody things around my tv, sky box, media straming box, console.... Etc
 
I want to get rid of things, I want my tv on my wall and a box near it and as little wires and boxes as possible. Is that not the goal of your living room in this day an age? It is for me.
The PS3 and Xbox360(nearly) are those devices. These and your cable/sky/tv box is all I have. If the next 360 plays Blu-rays I will be very happy and I can get down to just 2 boxes around my tv and reduce my cables.
 It also conflicts with what other things Nintendo have been saying... They have said their new controller has insperation from the remote and could replace your media remote as well. Yet with this and their lack of storage or other media support and crap Online for some time to come - They do not have the device for media.
 
I wont be the only one that will think this? and so the wii U is simply not an option for me.

My Xbox 360 can play DVDs and Music, how many times have I slapped a DVD or CD in my Xbox 360? Zero. I have a five disc DVD, CD player. I'm in it for the video games.

Do not mind it, I have at least 5 machines that can do shit.
even blu rays, oO