Nintendo drops more Wii Speak details [Joystiq]

[DP ServBot]

Filed under: Nintendo Wii, Peripherals

We've been anxiously anticipating Nintendo's next big peripheral since it was unveiled at their mind-blowing E3 2008 showcase -- a groundbreaking, futuristic device that actually allows you to speak with your online gaming cohorts. However, we've had a lot of questions concerning the price and release date of the cutting edge technology known as Wii Speak (and its companion software, the Wii Speak Channel) -- questions that were recently answered in a press release from the money-printing company.

You can get your hands on Nintendo's talkin' puck on Nov. 16, either bundled with Animal Crossing: City Folk for $69.99, or by its lonesome for $29.99. The accessory comes with a coupon which allows you to download the Wii Speak Channel for free (we're unclear whether City Folk includes said coupon), which will be available for download sometime in December -- and yes, you can only chat with those whose unwieldy friend codes you've already acquired. Sure, it's a minor inconvenience -- but considering the social gaming revolution this peripheral will initiate, it's a hoop we're certain you'll be willing to jump through.Nintendo drops more Wii Speak details originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 08 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[TheDomesticInstitution]

Sony and Microsoft really need to get off their asses and develop their own version of this highly advanced technology. Leave it to Nintendo to dream up something this revolutionary. Let's hope they don't start using High Definition graphics before everyone else too.

[exit]

Last I heard the microphone has already been made.

[BHvrd]

For Nintendo's sake this better be damn good voice chat, otherwise that comment is definetily gonna come across as senile and I can already hear the lulz. I'll admit most voice chat over the internet on consoles is sketchy, if they have improved it and made it seamless and clear as a bell that would be great.

[boatofcar]

Countdown to Rob2600 coming in and pledging 100% support of this revolutionary device...

[Hwj_Chim]

I just wonder, why not just a headset.

[Zap!]

Sony and Microsoft really need to get off their asses and develop their own version of this highly advanced technology. Leave it to Nintendo to dream up something this revolutionary. Let's hope they don't start using High Definition graphics before everyone else too.

<sigh>

[Rob2600]

Countdown to Rob2600 coming in and pledging 100% support of this revolutionary device...

Actually, as I've written before, I really don't have an interest in voice chat while playing online games. I'm not a big online gamer anyway. The only ones I play are Mario Kart Wii and Dr. Mario Rx Online.

[joshnickerson]

I wasn't aware that the newsbot was capable of sarcasm...

Will independent thought be next? Beware the Newsbot Uprising!

[kedawa]

Great, more peripherals for the Wii. That's just what it needs.

[chicnstu]

I just wonder, why not just a headset.

Then if you have a group of friends over they have to have their own headsets, unless you plan to have everyone talk into the same mic like a Bruce Springsteen concert.

[slip81]

Great, now I'll be able to enjoy being called a "fucking gaylord" by a five year old in Animal Crossing when I wear my custom pink skull shirt.

Though, like all other Nintendo stuff as of late, I'm sure this "newfangled gadget" will go over big with soccer moms and valley girls who fear using more than two buttons to play any game.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Why the ginormous box between the mic and the system?

It looks like an old cassette tape case.

...I wonder if there's an old Hall & Oates tape in there.

[Arcade Antics]

Why the ginormous box between the mic and the system?

It looks like an old cassette tape case.

...I wonder if there's an old Hall & Oates tape in there.

Private iis, they're watching YOU.

[rbudrick]

Why the ginormous box between the mic and the system?

It looks like an old cassette tape case.

...I wonder if there's an old Hall & Oates tape in there.

Come to think of it, I recognize the USB cord and then...wtf IS all the rest of that shit?

-Rob

[chicnstu]

Come to think of it, I recognize the USB cord and then...wtf IS all the rest of that shit?

-Rob

[PapaStu]

I'd love to chat with you guys, but better get your Wii Voice friends codes ready, otherwise no talkie!

[Tempest]

Is that thing some kind of giant power supply or something? A giant paper weight maybe? Or does it just take technology that has been around for years and make it "Teh Best Evr!" because it says Wii on it?

Tempest

[chicnstu]

Oh Nintendo, how message board users love you. Let me count the ways:

1

Is that thing some kind of giant power supply or something? A giant paper weight maybe? Or does it just take technology that has been around for years and make it "Teh Best Evr!" because it says Wii on it?

Tempest

2

Come to think of it, I recognize the USB cord and then...wtf IS all the rest of that shit?

-Rob

3

Great, now I'll be able to enjoy being called a "fucking gaylord" by a five year old in Animal Crossing when I wear my custom pink skull shirt.

Though, like all other Nintendo stuff as of late, I'm sure this "newfangled gadget" will go over big with soccer moms and valley girls who fear using more than two buttons to play any game.

4

Great, more peripherals for the Wii. That's just what it needs.

5

Last I heard the microphone has already been made.

6

Sony and Microsoft really need to get off their asses and develop their own version of this highly advanced technology. Leave it to Nintendo to dream up something this revolutionary. Let's hope they don't start using High Definition graphics before everyone else too.

7

We've been anxiously anticipating Nintendo's next big peripheral since it was unveiled at their mind-blowing E3 2008 showcase -- a groundbreaking, futuristic device that actually allows you to speak with your online gaming cohorts. However, we've had a lot of questions concerning the price and release date of the cutting edge technology known as Wii Speak (and its companion software, the Wii Speak Channel) -- questions that were recently answered in a press release from the money-printing company.

You can get your hands on Nintendo's talkin' puck on Nov. 16, either bundled with Animal Crossing: City Folk for $69.99, or by its lonesome for $29.99. The accessory comes with a coupon which allows you to download the Wii Speak Channel for free (we're unclear whether City Folk includes said coupon), which will be available for download sometime in December -- and yes, you can only chat with those whose unwieldy friend codes you've already acquired. Sure, it's a minor inconvenience -- but considering the social gaming revolution this peripheral will initiate, it's a hoop we're certain you'll be willing to jump through.

[Rob2600]

Come to think of it, I recognize the USB cord and then...wtf IS all the rest of that shit?

Being that the WiiSpeak microphone picks up all the voices in a room, instead of being placed directly in front of one person's mouth like a headset mic or a handheld mic, maybe that gray box contains an automatic gain circuit and/or other circuits to filter out background noise. That's just a guess.