Wii Speak

Wii Speak

Wii Speak was revealed during Nintendo's E3 2008 press conference.
Manufacturer Nintendo
Type Microphone
Retail availability

Wii Speak is a microphone accessory for Nintendo's Wii video game console. Connected to the console via USB, the device can be placed near the video display, allowing voice chat to be conducted with the entire room.[2] The device features an LED to indicate when the microphone is active. Wii Speak was announced at Nintendo's 2008 E3 media briefing. It was released separately and bundled with Animal Crossing: City Folk on November 16, 2008, in North America, and was released on December 5, 2008, in Europe.

The Wii Speak accessory is succeeded by the embedded microphone on the Wii U's GamePad controller. Nevertheless, the Wii Speak hardware is still compatible with the Wii U.

Design

According to Shigeru Miyamoto, the microphone is designed to "clearly capture many different voices being spoken in a room at the same time and convey that over the Internet."[3] Addressing concerns over background noise due to the placement of the microphone near a television set, Animal Crossing: City Folk producer Katsuya Eguchi states that the device is designed to filter out video game sound from the audio speakers.[2] Miyamoto notes that the quality of the noise filtering functionality in the Wii Speak is "very good", which may be contributing to the cost of the device.[3] A switch was originally planned, but the microphone now turns on only when a compatible game wants access to it.

Software

Wii Speak box art

At E3, when asked why the device would not be bundled with City Folk, Nintendo senior managing director Shigeru Miyamoto replied that cost was the factor behind the decision, adding that some users may prefer playing the game without a microphone, and that others may want to use Wii Speak who are not interested in buying City Folk.[3] In contrast with previous statements, Nintendo later revealed that a bundle of Wii Speak and City Folk would also be released.[4] The bundle was a limited edition, released the same day as the standalone products.[5]

Wii Speak Channel

Wii Speak Channel
Developer Nintendo
Type Online voice-only chat
Launch date December 5, 2008
Last updated March 27, 2009
Platform Wii
Wii Speak Channel

On October 2, 2008, Nintendo announced that Wii Speak would have its own Wii Channel. The Wii Speak Channel can be unlocked for download by a 16-digit Wii Download Ticket, included with the Wii Speak package upon purchase. Those who enter the 16-digit code on the Wii Shop Channel are allowed to download the Wii Speak Channel, which was launched on December 5, 2008.[6] If for any reason, the download ticket was lost or used on another Wii, users could obtain a new download ticket via email from Nintendo. Prior to the launch, customers could download the Wii Speak Channel Download Assistant, a channel which gave information about the release of the Wii Speak Channel. After the release, the Download Assistant updated itself into the actual channel.

The channel allows users to chat in one of four rooms with Wii Friends using Wii Speak online.[5] There is no limit to the number of people that can be in each room.[5] Each user will be represented by their Mii, which will lip sync to their spoken words. In addition, users will also be able to leave audio messages on the Wii message board for other users, as well as make audio captions for their stored photos. Users can also share photo slideshows and comment on them.[5]

The Wii Speak channel is available on the Wii U's "Wii Mode", however, it has no use, as the Wii U's Wii Mode has no friend code. However, the Wii Speak peripheral itself does function on the Wii U with games that support it. The Wii Speak channel is no longer available for download due to being discontinued and download codes that are used just give an error message about the channel being no longer available.

The Wii Speak Channel ceased functionality after May 20, 2014 since the free Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service was discontinued. The Wii Speak Channel is succeeded by the Wii U Chat video chat app for the Wii U.

Compatible games

Title Developer Publisher Release date N. America Release date Japan Release date Europe Release date Australia
Animal Crossing: City Folk[7] Nintendo EAD Nintendo November 16, 2008 November 20, 2008 December 5, 2008 December 4, 2008
Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep[8] Arika Nintendo February 22, 2010 September 17, 2009 February 5, 2010
NHL 2K10[9] Visual Concepts 2K Sports September 15, 2009 October 23, 2009
NHL 2K11 Visual Concepts 2K Sports August 24, 2010 October 8, 2010
The Conduit[10] High Voltage Software Sega June 23, 2009
Uno [Note 1] Gameloft Gameloft January 25, 2010 October 20, 2009 November 6, 2009
NBA 2K10 Visual Concepts 2K Sports November 9, 2009 November 27, 2009
NBA 2K11 Visual Concepts 2K Sports October 5, 2010 October 14, 2010 October 8, 2010 October 8, 2010
Monster Hunter Tri[11] Capcom Capcom (NA)

Nintendo (EU)

 April 20, 2010 No Wii Speak support April 23, 2010 April 29, 2010
Tetris Party Deluxe[12] Hudson Soft Majesco Entertainment June 1, 2010 September 3, 2010 October 14, 2010
Jeopardy![13] THQ THQ November 2, 2010
Wheel of Fortune[13] THQ THQ November 2, 2010 November 19, 2010
Mix Superstar[14] [Note 1] Digital Leisure Digital Leisure November 8, 2010
  1. 1 2 Game is only available on the WiiWare download service.

References

  1. 1 2 "Nintendo reveals UK dates for Wii Speak, Animal Crossing". GameSpot UK. 2008-10-07. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
  2. 1 2 Kohler, Chris (2008-07-24). "How Nintendo's WiiSpeak Mic Works". Game|Life. Wired. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  3. 1 2 3 Casamassina, Matt (2008-07-15). "E3 2008: Miyamoto Talks WiiSpeak". IGN Wii. IGN Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  4. ↑ "Nintendo to offer Animal Crossing City Folk/Wii Speak bundle". GoNintendo. 2008-09-07. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Casamassina, Matt (2008-10-02). "Interview: Cammie Dunaway". IGN Wii. IGN Entertainment. p. 1. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
  6. ↑ DeVries, Jack (2008-10-02). "WiiSpeak Gets a Dedicated Channel". IGN. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
  7. ↑ DeVries, Jack (2008-07-15). "E3 2008: Animal Crossing Coming to Wii". IGN. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  8. ↑ "Nintendo.com description page". Retrieved 2010-02-12.
  9. ↑ NHL 2K10 Feature Blowout
  10. ↑ Klepek, Patrick (2008-10-03). "'The Conduit' Already Has 'MotionPlus' Support, WiiSpeak Too". MTV Multiplayer. MTV Networks. Retrieved 2008-10-18.
  11. ↑ MacDonald, Keza (2009-10-28). "Monster Hunter 3 Tri Hands On". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2009-12-15.
  12. ↑ Fishman, Brian (2010-07-06). "Tetris Party Deluxe Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
  13. 1 2 "Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune to use Wii Speak". WiiNintendo. 2010-06-10. Retrieved 2010-10-29.
  14. ↑ "Digital Leisure's Mix Superstar". NintendoLife. 2011-11-04. Retrieved 2010-11-06.
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