Nintendo has been busying itself lately with the launch of the DSi, but the gaming giant hasn’t forgotten the Wii and is planning to launch a console-based communications channel.

WiiSpeak: chat with gamers through the Wii

According to numerous online sources, the channel will be called WiiSpeak. It’ll require gamers to fork out for a microphone accessory kit that connects to the Wii through one of the console's USB ports. The unit’s designed to sit near to the console, so there's no need to sit there with a mic in your hand, unless you want to grasp the Wii Remote and pretend...

It’s thought that WiiSpeak will become a Wii Channel in it’s own right, where chatty gamers can communicate with one another.

For example, four-person chatrooms will be created and each user will be represented onscreen by their Mii avatar. It’ll appear as though each Mii is speaking and other features, such as an image exchange option, will also be available.

The WiiSpeak channel’s expected to be launched on 16 November, and the microphone kit will cost about £20 ($35/€25).