Wii U voice chat limited

Nintendo fans may be happy to learn Nintendo has finally confirmed the Wii U will support voice chat. However, the implementation of it appears to be limited and involved. Though the Wii U GamePad does have a built-in microphone, it cannot be used for voice chat.

IGN reports that only select games will support voice chat through third-party, officially licensed headsets from Turtle Beach and Tritton plugged into the GamePad's headphone jack. Titles that have been confirmed to support voice chat thus far include Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Assassin's Creed III, and Mass Effect 3.

Gamers keen on using a Wii U Pro Controller will have an even more involved process to undertake if they wish to use voice chat. The Pro Controller does not have a headphone jack, meaning players will need to plug their third-party headset into the GamePad and set it next to them as they play.

Nintendo has not announced any first-party headset options for the Wii U. The system is due out in North America on November 18, with releases to follow in Europe and Australia on November 30, and Japan on December 8. The Wii U will be available in North American beginning at $300 for a basic bundle and also through a $350 deluxe edition that includes a copy of NintendoLand.