Yesterday’s announcement that Sony will begin offering PlayStation 3 users the chance to stream Netflix content starting next month was obviously welcomed news to owners of Sony’s big black box. Xbox 360 owners could care less, since they’ve been enjoying Netflix for almost a year. All the while Nintendo Wii owners are left asking, “Hey, Lama. Where’s our Netflix deal?” That is of course assuming Wii owners are greatly interested in Netflix streaming (and 1980s golf comedies).
If you are a Netflix subscriber, and you don’t see yourself investing in a PS3, an Xbox 360, or any other device capable of letting you watch streaming Netflix movies on your TV, then listen up. As GamesIndustry.biz reports, the Punxsutawney Phil of gaming, Michael Pachter, predicts a Netflix streaming deal “will be announced for the Wii in the next 12 months."
Considering that Sony was able to find a way around Microsoft’s exclusivity deal with Netflix (disc vs. dashboard integration), it’s not unreasonable to think that sometime in the next year, Nintendo will decide to formulate a deal of its own. Although, I’d be surprised if Nintendo jumped on the Netflix-streaming train before it has an HD-capable console. Granted, the majority of movies and shows available on Netflix aren’t in HD, but that gap will only continue to shrink, and as it does, so too will the justifiability of offering a streaming service like Netflix on a console. Does this mean that I think Nintendo will be releasing its long-rumored Wii-HD next year? Maybe…or maybe not? Cryptic predictions (cryptictions?) FTW!
How many Wii owners out there think they won’t have some kind of access to Netflix streaming by next year? And do you think the Wii is a capable enough console for it?
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Displaying 1–11 of 11
James3Hall
I actually bought a 360 to stream my Netflix and play some of the XBOX Live Arcade games. I am a Nintendo person at heart and would love the functionality of Netflix streaming on my Wii and DSi.
friendofbud666
It doesn't have enough hard drive space. I did see a 128gig card the other day for $600.
What would it stream 480p enhanced definition? The Wii has a DVD player, but Nintendo has that conviently locked out from use as well.
The only thing cool about the Wii is the news channel and the fact that I can play old Nintendo games. I wish the old games were on the PS3.
Warrior567
many who own the wii arn't very techno savy. they probably had a time trying to set it up in the first place and couldn't go through the "incredibly hard task" of setting of the wii wi-fi. i doubt that sony or microsoft will let that happen
bmackisback
Is it just me or does this guy Pachter just like to see his name in print. What brilliant piece of info are you going to release next week? PS3 gets twitter and facebook apps?
popsickle59
i culdve predicted the Wii Pro, I mean, the 360 and PS3 were built for long term and this gen, Wii is really built like the Gamecube should've been, so I expect a Wii 2, or at least a Wii-vamp :3 of the Wii
Gameboxed
Quick hide your money!!!!
HomerKong
I don't really care! I've been using Play On for the past 7 months on my PS3, so I'am not going to need that Streaming Disc their talking about. Besides Play On lets you stream Hulu, YouTube, Amazon VOD, ESPN, ABC and CBS. The only thing that SUCKS is that I paid 30 bucks for this program and now Netflix streaming is coming soon. Oh well as long as Microsoft licking their wounds in a corner.
Erthazus
Wii have enough power to stream it... And thats not much a prediction, Netflix wants money. Nintendo will be open to them. Why not? There are 50 million install base. Come on, who don't want free green paper?
The problem here is still for Microsoft. Its not an Exclusive to them anymore and they must do something if they wantto make XBL to be the best Online Console service, they want to have leadership atleast at one thing, but actually they are not anymore. PS3 PSN is free and only one thing they miss is cross game chat that is coming.
GingerKid
I'll be surprised if the Wii itself is still around in 12 months
dantastic4
You don't need a harddrive if your streaming movies for rental.Although you can't do hd.It does'nt matter anyways sinces hd streaming looks more like dvd or blow its quality anyways.
lfrancis
Don't you think the Wii needs a fracking Hard Drive to store those movies in?
Displaying 1–11 of 11
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