Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Amazon celebrates new year with savings on accessories]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/amazon-celebrates-new-year-with-savings-on-accessories/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/amazon-celebrates-new-year-with-savings-on-accessories/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/23/amazon-celebrates-new-year-with-savings-on-accessories/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Those of you who still have some spare cash in your wallet at the conclusion of yet another holiday season, know that Amazon wants it. They've put all of their gaming accessories on sale, taking 10% off the price of certain items. If you were looking for that extra Wiimote (and aren't expecting it as a gift), they qualify. Or, you could just grab Wii Play with a Wiimote, if you're into that sort of thing. The Nyko Perfect Shot, the Zapper, WiiSpeak, and even Wii Wheels qualify. There's a lot to check out.

Planning on picking something up? Do it before January 10, 2009. Offer expires then.

JoystiqAmazon celebrates new year with savings on accessories originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonnunchukwiimotewiispeakzapperTue, 23 Dec 2008 19:17:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Speak up]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/wii-warm-up-speak-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/wii-warm-up-speak-up/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/08/wii-warm-up-speak-up/#commentsFiled under:

The Wii Speak Channel is finally out and enabling voice chat between people who didn't feel like buying Animal Crossing. Some of you have probably put it through its paces by now. What's your opinion of the Channel? Does it feel weird to talk at your TV? Are you being spammed with voice messages from your jerk friends?

Is this functionality something that could help justify the cost of the mic? Or is it just another channel that will get deleted for a Space Invaders Get Even mission pack?


Ever since it was revealed back at E3, WiiSpeak has been the talk (both good and bad) of the town. Check out our hands-on time with the device, as well as the details you may have missed on the WiiSpeak Channel. Plan on picking one up? Then you might want to check out Game Night, where you'll surely be able to chat with your fellow Wii lovers in the future.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Speak up originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microphonevoice-chatwiispeakwiispeak-channelMon, 08 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hiii! Demonstrating the Wii Speak Channel voice message process [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/hiii-demonstrating-the-wii-speak-channel-voice-message-process/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/hiii-demonstrating-the-wii-speak-channel-voice-message-process/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/05/hiii-demonstrating-the-wii-speak-channel-voice-message-process/#commentsFiled under: ,


The Wii Speak Channel is out in Europe today, as is the actual WiiSpeak microphone. A helpful early adopter named Butulino has taken video footage of the "Canale Wii Speak" in action, so the rest of us can see what we have to look forward to ... whenever Nintendo of America gets around to offering the channel oh, hey, right now! As a bonus, you can also see some guy's friend code.

This video shows the channel's voice message capability, through which short (10 seconds or less) clips can be recorded and sent to Wii friends' Message Boards. Cleverly, the Channel allows you to bundle a picture with a message, so you can take a picture of that stringfish you caught in Animal Crossing and send it with a taunting message about, you know, how your friend has yet to catch a stringfish.

The Channel also allows users to warp their voices, in a feature similar to one found in the DSi's sound functionality -- which further cements the connection between the DSi's features and UI design and the Wii Menu.

[Update: it's up in North America! Nintendo almost succeeded in completely suppressing news of an available service, but not quite!]

[Via GoNintendo]

Ever since it was revealed back at E3, WiiSpeak has been the talk (both good and bad) of the town. Check out our hands-on time with the device, as well as the details you may have missed on the WiiSpeak Channel. Plan on picking one up? Then you might want to check out Game Night, where you'll surely be able to chat with your fellow Wii lovers in the future.

JoystiqHiii! Demonstrating the Wii Speak Channel voice message process [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europemicrophonevoice-messageswiispeakwiispeak-channelFri, 05 Dec 2008 18:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Preview Wii Speak Channel and a puppy with these screens]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/preview-wii-speak-channel-and-a-puppy-with-these-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/preview-wii-speak-channel-and-a-puppy-with-these-screens/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/12/04/preview-wii-speak-channel-and-a-puppy-with-these-screens/#commentsFiled under: ,


Thanks to the Japanese launch of the Wii Speak Channel, we can now see a bit of a preview of what's coming up for the rest of us (tomorrow in Europe, ??? in North America) in the world of talking at our TVs. Nintendo has opened their Wii Speak Channel page, featuring screenshots of the Channel's features, like the "puppy" feature in the screen above!

Well, actually, it's the photo sharing feature, which allows photos loaded from an SD card to be shown during chat. Also pictured: the Channel's voice message function, which allows players to record voice messages for Wii Friends and send them to the Message Board. This results in a text message on special a Wii Speak Channel background with the note "This message was recorded by your friend using the Wii Speak Channel." We always get an Animal Crossing vibe from special "stationery." If you'd like to see more of this Channel, a video is also available at the Japanese site.

[Via Famitsu]

Ever since it was revealed back at E3, WiiSpeak has been the talk (both good and bad) of the town. Check out our hands-on time with the device, as well as the details you may have missed on the WiiSpeak Channel. Plan on picking one up? Then you might want to check out Game Night, where you'll surely be able to chat with your fellow Wii lovers in the future.

JoystiqPreview Wii Speak Channel and a puppy with these screens originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>channelsmicrophonewiispeakwiispeak-channelThu, 04 Dec 2008 14:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Yes, you can get the Wii Speak Channel ticket when you buy a used microphone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/28/yes-you-can-get-the-wii-speak-channel-ticket-when-you-buy-a-use/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/28/yes-you-can-get-the-wii-speak-channel-ticket-when-you-buy-a-use/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/28/yes-you-can-get-the-wii-speak-channel-ticket-when-you-buy-a-use/#commentsFiled under:


It's hard to believe that so much controversy could be stirred up by the Wii Speak Channel. Chances are that, had the shocking Wii Download Ticket scare not happened, none of us would have cared much about it. After a statement from Nintendo that didn't quite answer a Edge finally got a point-blank answer from Nintendo on the subject of the eligibility of owners of used WiiSpeak mics to get Download Tickets. Good news!

"Any consumer who requires a Wii Download Ticket after purchasing a pre-owned Wii Speak Accessory may contact their local Nintendo Customer Services department, where they can request a Wii Download Ticket for the Wii Speak Channel for free."

You can't get the Channel for use with your WiiSpeak on a friend's Wii, and you can't get a Ticket for use with a third-party mic peripheral. But hey! Nintendo isn't nefariously penalizing used sales like we all assumed!

Ever since it was revealed back at E3, WiiSpeak has been the talk (both good and bad) of the town. Check out our hands-on time with the device, as well as the details you may have missed on the WiiSpeak Channel. Plan on picking one up? Then you might want to check out Game Night, where you'll surely be able to chat with your fellow Wii lovers in the future.

JoystiqYes, you can get the Wii Speak Channel ticket when you buy a used microphone originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 28 Nov 2008 13:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microphonewii-download-ticketwiispeakwiispeak-channelFri, 28 Nov 2008 13:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo will replace lost Wii Speak Channel codes]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/25/nintendo-will-replace-lost-wii-speak-channel-codes/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/25/nintendo-will-replace-lost-wii-speak-channel-codes/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/25/nintendo-will-replace-lost-wii-speak-channel-codes/#commentsFiled under: ,


It seems that Nintendo isn't quite as draconian as we thought about the Wii Download Ticket code accompanying new purchases of the WiiSpeak microphone. Previous statements suggested that there was absolutely no way to obtain a code without purchasing new hardware -- even if you have bought new hardware and require a replacement code.

The statement from Nintendo of Europe reads "Any consumer who may have misplaced their Wii Download Ticket number for the Wii Speak Channel or require a new number following a Wii exchange may contact their local Nintendo Customer Services department, where they can request a replacement Wii Download Ticket number."

There's no word of secondhand purchases or any other circumstances, but it seems likely that if Nintendo is at all willing to offer replacement codes, the friendly customer service representatives won't be too stingy with Download Ticket codes. Just don't buy a used WiiSpeak expecting to get the free code.

JoystiqNintendo will replace lost Wii Speak Channel codes originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microphonewii-download-ticketwiispeakwiispeak-channelTue, 25 Nov 2008 12:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Wii Plan to Speak]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/wii-warm-up-wii-plan-to-speak/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/wii-warm-up-wii-plan-to-speak/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/17/wii-warm-up-wii-plan-to-speak/#commentsFiled under:

The WiiSpeak microphone is ten bucks cheaper when purchased with Animal Crossing: City Folk. Obviously, it works with Animal Crossing, but it will also work with The Conduit, with the new version of the Opera browser, and on its own via the Wii Speak Channel. Of course, more compatible games will follow. We hope.

It occurs to us that even people who like Animal Crossing, but don't necessarily care about catching up with their friends while fishing or shaking trees may have interest in the WiiSpeak mic for other stuff. Are you in that group? Did you pick up the Animal Crossing WiiSpeak bundle with no intention of using the two items together?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Wii Plan to Speak originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkinternet-channelthe-conduitwiispeakMon, 17 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing: City Jack O' Lanterns]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/animal-crossing-city-jack-o-lanterns/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/animal-crossing-city-jack-o-lanterns/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/14/animal-crossing-city-jack-o-lanterns/#commentsFiled under:


For those of us who missed celebrating our favorite fall holiday with fake anthropomorphic jerks, Halloween is back in Animal Crossing: City Folk. We just have to ... wait almost the whole year for it, thanks to the November release of the game.

Your animal neighbors, dressed in identical pumpkinhead costumes, will accost you and demand candy. If you fail to comply, or try to pass off some junk out of your pockets as candy, as the IGN demo player has done here, you get a trick! For being stingy, the residents slapped a pumpkin head on him and changed his clothes.

In the little IGN player doodad, there's another video featuring a player picking fruit in the winter. Animal Crossing winters are so lovely!

JoystiqAnimal Crossing: City Jack O' Lanterns originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkcommunicationwiispeakFri, 14 Nov 2008 11:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Speak Channel download tied to hardware]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/wii-speak-channel-download-tied-to-hardware/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/wii-speak-channel-download-tied-to-hardware/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/13/wii-speak-channel-download-tied-to-hardware/#commentsFiled under: ,


MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo opened his review WiiSpeak microphone box and discovered the secret behind the associated Wii Speak Channel: it's a free download, yes, but that download requires the entry of a one-time-use code included in the box. At first blush, this isn't a big deal, because anyone who wants to use the Wii Speak Channel is probably going to have a microphone anyway, right?

The problem, as Totilo identifies, is that you can't buy the thing used and expect the channel, because the "Download Ticket" will have been used. And Nintendo won't replace it. The channel won't be available for purchase, or for free download without the ticket. So buy the thing new or plan to chat only in games.

JoystiqWii Speak Channel download tied to hardware originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>microphonewiispeakwiispeak-channelThu, 13 Nov 2008 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Speak Channel hit by delay]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/wii-speak-channel-hit-by-delay/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/wii-speak-channel-hit-by-delay/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/wii-speak-channel-hit-by-delay/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Contrary to what we originally heard, it looks like the Wii Speak Channel won't be launching alongside Animal Crossing: City Folk on November 16th.

IGN snapped a picture of the WiiSpeak box, complete with a disclaimer that the Channel (which allows chat outside of Animal Crossing) will actually appear in December. When in December isn't clear, though we know the Channel will be available in Europe from December 5th, so maybe then. Until then, you're just going to have to pick fruit and chat simultaneously. We can probably cope with that!

JoystiqWii Speak Channel hit by delay originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkdelaywiispeakwiispeak-channelTue, 11 Nov 2008 17:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing and WiiSpeak about £60 in UK]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/animal-crossing-and-wiispeak-about-60-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/animal-crossing-and-wiispeak-about-60-in-uk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/animal-crossing-and-wiispeak-about-60-in-uk/#commentsFiled under:


Nintendo has confirmed to Eurogamer that the Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City and WiiSpeak bundle will cost "£59" in the UK when it launches there on December 5th. We guess they mean £59.99, but let's face it: only chumps will pay that sort of money when the likes of Play have it for a penny under fifty quid. If you do still live in the late-1990s and buy stuff from high street stores with real people in them, then expect to pay a premium. Separately, the game will cost £40 and WiiSpeak £25. Again: if you're a chump.

As for the North American price, we're still waiting on official word, but Amazon's price hasn't budged from $69.99.

JoystiqAnimal Crossing and WiiSpeak about £60 in UK originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folksimukwiispeakTue, 11 Nov 2008 13:37:00 EST<![CDATA[City Folk crossing into central mainstream with new ad]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/city-folk-crossing-into-central-mainstream-with-new-ad/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/city-folk-crossing-into-central-mainstream-with-new-ad/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/11/city-folk-crossing-into-central-mainstream-with-new-ad/#commentsFiled under:

It's easy to hate on the new Animal Crossing: City Folk ad. Gut reaction is that it's not for us, for the real gamers, so clearly, Animal Crossing itself isn't, either. But that isn't the case; if you liked Animal Crossing at all before, you'll probably like it now. So, no, this commercial isn't for us. It's for everyone else, everyone who thinks Animal Crossing might not be for them. And when taken that way, it seems pretty effective to us.

JoystiqCity Folk crossing into central mainstream with new ad originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adAnimal-Crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-WiicommercialNintendoNintendo-EADwiispeakTue, 11 Nov 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: Peripheral issues]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/wii-warm-up-peripheral-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/wii-warm-up-peripheral-issues/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/wii-warm-up-peripheral-issues/#commentsFiled under: ,


Wii peripherals have proven a profitable business for Nintendo, and a new member, the WiiSpeak microphone, will join this rapidly growing family later this month. In our experience, these accessories mostly enhance the games they support, and that's great and all, but it has been a while since we actually perched on our Balance Boards, or waved our Wii Wheel about to Mario Kart Wii, or Zappered zombies. When was the last time you played a Wii title with something other than a naked Wiimote and Nunchuk, and what was the game?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: Peripheral issues originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balance-boardwii-motionpluswii-wheelwiispeakwwuzapperThu, 06 Nov 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing/WiiSpeak bundle box revealed, price worries continue]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/29/animal-crossing-wiispeak-bundle-box-revealed-price-worries-cont/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/29/animal-crossing-wiispeak-bundle-box-revealed-price-worries-cont/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/29/animal-crossing-wiispeak-bundle-box-revealed-price-worries-cont/#commentsFiled under:

A Portuguese Nintendo fansite happened to notice the appearance on Amazon of the Animal Crossing: City Folk/WiiSpeak microphone bundle. Only just now after looking at it have we realized what Nintendo has done here: they've guaranteed City Folk's bestseller status by making it yet another first-party Wii game with a bundled peripheral. It now joins Wii Play, Mario Kart Wii, and Wii Fit. People really love big boxes!

Amazon's price for the bundle is a cause for concern. Either they never bothered to update to the $59.99 price or the price is back up to $69.99. We'd like to make an official announcement at this time: Wii Fanboy endorses the lower price this November. We think it's the right decision for this county.


[Via FNintendo]

JoystiqAnimal Crossing/WiiSpeak bundle box revealed, price worries continue originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonanimal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkboxartbundlewiispeakWed, 29 Oct 2008 12:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Make your pets hate you, win a Wii and Animal Crossing]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/make-your-pets-hate-you-win-a-wii-and-animal-crossing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/make-your-pets-hate-you-win-a-wii-and-animal-crossing/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/28/make-your-pets-hate-you-win-a-wii-and-animal-crossing/#commentsFiled under:


If you have no interest in actually paying for a Wii and Animal Crossing: City Folk, Nintendo has your back. For the next three weeks, the company is encouraging people (North Americans only) to dress their pets in adorable outfits, and send photos of the unamused, uncomfortable animal(s) to this website. Come November 16th, the fifty best will win a Wii, a copy of Animal Crossing: City Folk, and a WiiSpeak microphone. Maybe this is the excuse you've needed to justify buying a pug?

The rules encourage an Animal Crossing theme, meaning the entries featured so far on the site are fairly rubbish, with most people just putting a hat on a disgruntled labrador. We sense our own idea is a winner. Protip, though: getting a necktie on a giraffe is hell.


[Via press release]

KK says: buy Animal Crossing: City Folk to visit the city, reach out to friends, and make Iwata cry!

JoystiqMake your pets hate you, win a Wii and Animal Crossing originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 28 Oct 2008 18:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkcompetitioncontestcutewiispeakTue, 28 Oct 2008 18:17:00 EST<![CDATA[IGN's hands-six-to-eight-feet-away-from WiiSpeak preview]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/igns-hands-six-to-eight-feet-away-from-wiispeak-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/igns-hands-six-to-eight-feet-away-from-wiispeak-preview/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/22/igns-hands-six-to-eight-feet-away-from-wiispeak-preview/#commentsFiled under:


IGN's Craig Harris tested out the WiiSpeak microphone and voice chat functionality inside Animal Crossing at Nintendo's San Francisco office. His experience seemed much smoother and friendlier than my own, possibly as a result of improvements in the technology, a quieter environment, or a voice that is capable of normal human volume. Treehouse staffers told him that the voice chat has improved significantly since E3.

Conversations came in clearly enough from multiple positions in the room, though Harris noted a drop in quality when his interlocutors in Nintendo's Redmond office drifted far away from the mic, which seems pretty obvious. He was able to converse in a normal speaking voice from his position "six to eight feet" away. However, with no option to turn the music down or off in Animal Crossing, the game tended to drown out the voice output.

There was a mysterious "Use Headphones" option available in Animal Crossing, whose function is currently unknown. Harris speculates that it sends voice and game audio through separate audio channels, but maybe it just changes some preset audio settings to optimitze performance through tiny speakers. It's not as if you can plug a headset into the Wiimote or anything.



Ever since it was revealed back at E3, WiiSpeak has been the talk (both good and bad) of the town. Check out our hands-on time with the device, as well as the details you may have missed on the WiiSpeak Channel. Plan on picking one up? Then you might want to check out Game Night, where you'll surely be able to chat with your fellow Wii lovers in the future.

JoystiqIGN's hands-six-to-eight-feet-away-from WiiSpeak preview originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkmicrophonevoice-chatwiispeakWed, 22 Oct 2008 15:20:00 EST<![CDATA[WiiSpeak Channel dated for Europe]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/wiispeak-channel-dated-for-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/wiispeak-channel-dated-for-europe/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/07/wiispeak-channel-dated-for-europe/#commentsFiled under: ,


Wii lovers and fans of speakerphones across Europe, the WiiSpeak Channel has been dated for your region. The Channel and peripheral will debut alongside Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City on December 5th, less than a month after North America receives the game and service. Sadly, there's no word on what the bundle will cost you and if it'll be much more expensive than the bundle we're getting in North America. We'd like to think it will cost around the same, but we know how you guys get the shaft sometimes.

Ever since it was revealed back at E3, WiiSpeak has been the talk (both good and bad) of the town. Check out our hands-on time with the device, as well as the details you may have missed on the WiiSpeak Channel. Plan on picking one up? Then you might want to check out Game Night, where you'll surely be able to chat with your fellow Wii lovers in the future.

JoystiqWiiSpeak Channel dated for Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossingeuropeukwiispeakwiispeak-channelTue, 07 Oct 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing/WiiSpeak bundle cheaper than we thought]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/animal-crossing-wiispeak-bundle-cheaper-than-we-thought/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/animal-crossing-wiispeak-bundle-cheaper-than-we-thought/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/03/animal-crossing-wiispeak-bundle-cheaper-than-we-thought/#commentsFiled under: ,


Remember when we reported on a $69.99 price tag on the Animal Crossing/WiiSpeak bundle? Well, it turns out that price was off, by $10. Yes, the bundle will in fact retail for $59.99. That brings WiiSpeak down to $10, with the purchase of Animal Crossing: City Folk.

Animal Crossing: City Folk and WiiSpeak will be out in North America on November 16th.

JoystiqAnimal Crossing/WiiSpeak bundle cheaper than we thought originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkbundlecity-folkwiispeakFri, 03 Oct 2008 13:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo announces Wii Speak Channel]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-announces-wii-speak-channel/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-announces-wii-speak-channel/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-announces-wii-speak-channel/#commentsFiled under:

As one of the last two announcements for their fall media summit, Nintendo has announced the Wii Speak Channel for use with the Wii microphone (pictured, from E3 2008). According to Cammy Dunaway, up to four people can chat together, and the microphones will come with a coupon to download the channel.

Of course, this leads to a plethora of other questions, such as: release date, price (if not buying with the microphone), can a USB mic be substituted, what else can we do with the channel besides speak? We're not holding our breath waiting for answers anytime soon.

JoystiqNintendo announces Wii Speak Channel originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingnewsmicrophonenintendoWiiwii-speakwii-speak-channelwiispeakwiispeak-channelThu, 02 Oct 2008 13:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo sneaks Wii Speak Channel announcement out]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-sneaks-wii-speak-channel-announcement-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-sneaks-wii-speak-channel-announcement-out/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/10/02/nintendo-sneaks-wii-speak-channel-announcement-out/#commentsFiled under: ,


Nintendo plans to introduce an independent Channel for the WiiSpeak peripheral, planned for release in Japan on November 20. Nintendo of America plans to release the channel stateside on November 16. It'll be a free download with the WiiSpeak.

According to NOA's announcement, it works for up to four groups, with each participant in each group represented by a Mii. The Channel allows sending of voice messages and photos. It's simple, yes, but at least people who buy the peripheral outside of an Animal Crossing bundle will have something to do.

JoystiqNintendo sneaks Wii Speak Channel announcement out originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chatmicrophonewiispeakwiispeak-channelThu, 02 Oct 2008 13:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing: Timely Folk]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/animal-crossing-timely-folk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/animal-crossing-timely-folk/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/25/animal-crossing-timely-folk/#commentsFiled under:


One thing Animal Crossing: City Folk won't be replicating from previous Animal Crossings is the horrendous delay in getting a PAL version out. Wild World on the DS took nearly four months to cross the Atlantic to Europe, while Animal Crossing on the GameCube turned up two years late (though lucky Australia had to wait for only thirteen months).

This won't be the case for the Wii game, which will launch in Europe this December, where it will be known as Animal Crossing: Pointless, Overlong, Awkward Subtitle Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City and come bundled with WiiSpeak. Happy news for any Europeans who thought they would miss out on any vital, fruit-related conversation at Game Night!


KK says: buy Animal Crossing: City Folk to visit the city, reach out to friends, and make Iwata cry!

JoystiqAnimal Crossing: Timely Folk originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkeuropesimwiispeakThu, 25 Sep 2008 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Point/Counterpoint: WiiSpeak vs. ISpeak]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/point-counterpoint-wiispeak-vs-ispeak/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/point-counterpoint-wiispeak-vs-ispeak/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/point-counterpoint-wiispeak-vs-ispeak/#commentsFiled under:


Nintendo, who recently introduced the stick controller and the scale controller, is at it again, with the WiiSpeak, a microphone that you put on top of your TV so a whole crowd can share in voice chat as they play Animal Crossing (and, later, other games). Voice chat isn't new, of course, but voice chat for a whole room is.

Is this a worthwhile innovation? Is Nintendo's new approach really preferable to just wearing a headset and having conversations with your Internet pals? Will having the mic several feet away even be a workable solution? We obviously don't know, but we can debate about what we think.

JoystiqPoint/Counterpoint: WiiSpeak vs. ISpeak originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkcommunicationmicrophonewiispeakFri, 12 Sep 2008 13:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Amazon opens WiiSpeak preorders]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/10/amazon-opens-wiispeak-preorders/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/10/amazon-opens-wiispeak-preorders/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/10/amazon-opens-wiispeak-preorders/#commentsFiled under: , ,


WiiSpeak isn't the kind of thing we can imagine selling in Wii Fit quantities, but it's getting hard to tell nowadays. Maybe the microphone add-on and Animal Crossing: City Folk will be overshadowed by the other big first-party release of November, and supplies will be plentiful, but why take the risk? You can now preorder your own WiiSpeak at Amazon, and rest assured that you'll be able to bitch behind Nook's back with your Wii Friends from day one. Hang around now, and you may be confined to the keyboard.

[Update: Removed potentially confusing comment]


[Via Punch Jump]

JoystiqAmazon opens WiiSpeak preorders originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonanimal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkpreorderwii-speakwiispeakWed, 10 Sep 2008 15:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Animal Crossing/WiiSpeak bundle gets priced]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/08/animal-crossing-wiispeak-bundle-gets-priced/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/08/animal-crossing-wiispeak-bundle-gets-priced/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/09/08/animal-crossing-wiispeak-bundle-gets-priced/#commentsFiled under:


The WiiSpeak microphone add-on should add a fresh dimension to the Animal Crossing: City Folk experience, and having awkward conversations with fellow internet people about fruit prices won't even be that expensive. Nintendo reps have informed a GameStop manager's conference in Las Vegas that the City Folk and WiiSpeak bundle would retail at $69.99 (the equivalent of 423 apples, five Porcelettas, and a Red Snapper at today's dollar-to-Bells rate) when the game releases in November.

That's a tenner less expensive than purchasing the game and peripheral separately, and obviously you'll be able to use WiiSpeak in other titles. Sound fair to you?

JoystiqAnimal Crossing/WiiSpeak bundle gets priced originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folksimwiispeakMon, 08 Sep 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: WiiTrademark]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/23/wii-warm-up-wiitrademark/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/23/wii-warm-up-wiitrademark/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/23/wii-warm-up-wiitrademark/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We've known about WiiSpeak since E3, but it could have turned out to be quite different -- in name, at least. Siliconera's Spencer Yip has discovered a pile of trademarks registered by Nintendo in Japan from July 2nd - 4th, which he surmises are alternate names for the WiiSpeak device (considering E3 began on July 14th, Nintendo obviously left it late to settle on what to call its microphone add-on!).

These trademarks include "Wii to Wii," "Wii2Wii," "WiiFriend," "WiiTalk," and the final name, "WiiSpeak." We quite like "WiiTalk," but we're pleased Nintendo didn't opt for "Wii2Wii," which smacks of TXT MSG speak, which we despise.

What do you think of Nintendo's shortlist? Do you have any other suggestions outside of their ideas, or do you feel they chose the right name?

JoystiqWii Warm Up: WiiTrademark originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 23 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>wiispeakwwuSat, 23 Aug 2008 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: Wii Fanboy's E3 Endgame Evaluation]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/19/e308-wii-fanboys-e3-endgame-evaluation/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/19/e308-wii-fanboys-e3-endgame-evaluation/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/19/e308-wii-fanboys-e3-endgame-evaluation/#commentsFiled under:


In the second year of the newly revamped show, Nintendo released a few much-desired games, as well as a pair of incredible peripherals, and yet, there seemed to be something missing. Much of the show's excitement came from third parties (on my Nintendo Wii?), and some found Nintendo's announcements disappointing. Whatever your reaction, we're sure we can all agree on one thing: there was a ton of news and a flood of media. Luckily, you can revisit it all right here (even the week's most outrageous story, which wasn't even from E3).

We've listed a few of the show's highlights below, but for the full index of all our 2008 E3 coverage, hit the break. We still have a few items rolling in, and we'll be updating the index as that happens. Check back with us over the next few days by clicking the E3 sidebar graphic.


A new Pikmin sprouts!
Animal Crossing: City Folk confirmed
The Conduit will use WiiSpeak
Wii Sports Resort announced (and Wii MotionPlus!)
Mega Man 9 feels more like a 10
Wii Fanboy bats-on with Mario Super Sluggers
Animal Crossing to support keyboards, save fruit-picking time
Wii Fanboy hands-on with Wii Sports Resort

Continue reading E308: Wii Fanboy's E3 Endgame Evaluation

JoystiqE308: Wii Fanboy's E3 Endgame Evaluation originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossingcity-folkconduite3-2008e3-recape308hands-onmariomario-super-sluggersmega-manmega-man-9pikminthe-conduitwii-motionpluswii-speakwii-sportswii-sports-resortwiispeakSat, 19 Jul 2008 23:10:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: WiiSpeak with Mario]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/e308-wiispeak-with-mario/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/e308-wiispeak-with-mario/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/e308-wiispeak-with-mario/#commentsFiled under:


Nintendo's WiiSpeak demo was one of the freakiest things that happened during E3. Basically, Nintendo had an Animal Crossing demo running in their conference room, with a WiiSpeak mic connected. In an undisclosed location somewhere else in the convention center, Charles Martinet was also playing City Folk, with a Mario-style avatar, and riffing in the Mario voice with whoever happened to wander by.

Mostly, this entailed yelling at other players for messing with his flowers, and complaining about the lack of bugs nearby. I tried to interact with Mr. Martinet, but the WiiSpeak couldn't pick up my normal speaking voice (which is admittedly mousy and whisper-quiet). As I was walking away, Mario started smacking the other players with his axe.

JoystiqE308: WiiSpeak with Mario originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossingcharles-martinetcity-lifee3-2008e308joystiqfeatureswiispeakFri, 18 Jul 2008 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Warm Up: E3]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/wii-warm-up-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/wii-warm-up-e3/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/wii-warm-up-e3/#commentsFiled under:


Because we've also asked DS fans, we thought we'd pose the same question here: how would you rate the Wii's E3?

Despite the angry tidal wave of criticism over what many (but not all) saw as a disappointing Nintendo keynote, the more recent announcement of a third Pikmin game seems to have tempered the outcry a little. Not that there was a shortage of announcements in the first place -- WiiSpeak, Wii Sports Resort, Animal Crossing: City Folk, MotionPlus, Wii Music, and online, WiiSpeak-enabled multiplayer in The Conduit were all entirely new to us.

Fill us in on the bits of E3 you liked, the bits you hated, the surprises, and the no-shows.

JoystiqWii Warm Up: E3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossing-city-folke3-2008e308pikminthe-conduitwi-musicwii-motionpluswii-sports-resortwiispeakwwuFri, 18 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: The Conduit will use WiiSpeak]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-the-conduit-will-use-wiispeak/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-the-conduit-will-use-wiispeak/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/16/e308-the-conduit-will-use-wiispeak/#commentsFiled under:


High Voltage today revealed to Kombo that new fan-favorite FPS The Conduit is confirmed for 16-player online multiplayer, but should also incorporate voice chat with WiiSpeak. Good thing it's going to be sold separately. Of course, now that's got us wondering who else is going to use it, and for what. But as for chat in The Conduit, we hope to see more details soon.


[Thanks, Andy!]

JoystiqE308: The Conduit will use WiiSpeak originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2008e308fpshigh-voltagemultiplayerthe-conduitvoice-chatwiispeakWed, 16 Jul 2008 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: WiiSpeak to be sold separately for $29.99]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/e308-wiispeak-to-be-sold-separately-for-29-99/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/e308-wiispeak-to-be-sold-separately-for-29-99/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/e308-wiispeak-to-be-sold-separately-for-29-99/#commentsFiled under:



We hope you didn't get your hopes up by thinking that the Wii's newly revealed "room-to-room" microphone peripheral, WiiSpeak, would be bundled with copies of Animal Crossing: City Folk! No, Nintendo loves making money much too much, and they have to pay for that 800-foot wire somehow.

According to a press release put out by Nintendo earlier today, the WiiSpeak microphone will be sold separately for $29.99. You could buy a DS game for that kind of cash! Maybe even two DS games, if you follow our sales posts!

If that price point is too rich for your blood, you need not worry about missing out on City Folk's voice communication features, as we're sure several dozen Chinese accessory manufacturers will step up and release a slew of cheaper, ridiculously shaped microphone solutions soon enough.

For comparison, Microsoft's MSRP for its official Xbox 360 Wireless Headset is $59.99, and Sony's official Bluetooth PS3 Headset (bundled with SOCOM: Confrontation) is rumored to be $49.99 as a standalone product. Of course, both of those accessories boast more advanced technology than WiiSpeak, and both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 have much cheaper third-party solutions.

[Thanks, Kongo!]

JoystiqE308: WiiSpeak to be sold separately for $29.99 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>e3-2008e308wii-speakwiispeakTue, 15 Jul 2008 19:15:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: WiiSpeak brings yet another power brick to the table?]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/e308-wii-speak-brings-yet-another-power-brick-to-the-table/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/e308-wii-speak-brings-yet-another-power-brick-to-the-table/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/e308-wii-speak-brings-yet-another-power-brick-to-the-table/#commentsFiled under:


When the WiiSpeak peripheral was unveiled for Animal Crossing: City Folk, we were happy to finally get voice chat on our Wii. But, a curious slide at the conclusion of Nintendo's E3 keynote showed the device has a very peculiar brick-like adapter that the USB end's cable plugs into. Now, we're assuming this is just a power brick, but you know what your school teachers told you about assuming!

At least one thing is certain: the thing has enough cable to wrap around Nintendo HQ many times over.

JoystiqE308: WiiSpeak brings yet another power brick to the table? originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkbrickchate3e3-2008e308voice-chatwii-speakwiispeakTue, 15 Jul 2008 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[E308: Wii Fanboy reacts to Nintendo's keynote [update]]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/e308-wii-fanboy-reacts-to-nintendos-keynote/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/e308-wii-fanboy-reacts-to-nintendos-keynote/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/e308-wii-fanboy-reacts-to-nintendos-keynote/#commentsFiled under: ,


[Updated: Now with JC talking about things!]

With so many highlights from this year's Nintendo E3 keynote, we're finding our live chat wasn't enough to cover our thoughts and opinions on what was shown. So, below, you'll find some impressions akin to what we did last year. Enjoy.

Continue reading E308: Wii Fanboy reacts to Nintendo's keynote [update]

JoystiqE308: Wii Fanboy reacts to Nintendo's keynote [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animal-crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkcall-of-dutycall-of-duty-world-at-ware3-2008e308joystiqfeatureskeynotenintendoraymanrayman-raving-rabbidsshaun-whiteshaun-white-snowboardingubisoftwii-speakwii-sportswii-sports-resortwiispeakworld-at-warTue, 15 Jul 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo introduces the Wii Speak community microphone]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/nintendo-introduces-the-wii-speak-community-microphone/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/nintendo-introduces-the-wii-speak-community-microphone/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/15/nintendo-introduces-the-wii-speak-community-microphone/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

During their announcement of Animal Crossing: City Folk at E3, Nintendo announced a new "community microphone" called WiiSpeak -- from the look of it, it sits on your television right on top of the sensor bar, and Nintendo says it'll let you speak with other players around the world.

Here's hoping they enable other online activity with the microphone as well. Finally, some Mario Kart voice chat? Yes please!

JoystiqNintendo introduces the Wii Speak community microphone originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Animal-Crossinganimal-crossing-city-folkAnimal-Crossing-MMOAnimal-Crossing-WiiE3mario-kartNintendoNintendo-EADnintendo-wiivoice-chatWiiwiispeakTue, 15 Jul 2008 12:34:00 EST