E3 2008: Nintendo talks up Wii Speak

Animal Crossing for the Wii was one of the most eagerly anticipated games expected to be confirmed at this morning's Nintendo E3 press conference, and the Japanese giant didn't disappoint with news that Animal Crossing: City Folk would indeed be released by the end of 2008. But there was one surprise that came along with that announcement, and that was news of a new microphone peripheral that would ship with the game and allow players to chat with others from around the world.

Dubbed Wii Speak, the new peripheral is a small semicircle-shaped add-on which was shown sitting on top of the Wii's sensor bar. Wii Speak will allow players to chat online and undertake activities in the Animal Crossing: City Folk world. One example shown at the conference included a four-player fishing game in Animal Crossing, with players happily chatting to each other as well as engaging in some trash talk along the way. Another quick example shown was four players going into an in-game restaurant and talking to one another over a meal.

Wii Speak is expected to ship as an optional accessory with the release of Animal Crossing: City Folk by the end of 2008. Check back with GameSpot soon for information about the Wii Speak attachment.