Wii Speak Channel Only for Wii Speak Customers

A noteworthy aspect of Nintendo's latest accessory, the Wii Speak microphone, was revealed this evening. As has been previously debated, Nintendo reps said that each Wii Speak accessory comes with a voucher that allows users to download the Wii Speak Channel, available in December this year. But that left questions of whether the channel would cost a few hundred Nintendo Points for those seeking a third-party accessory.

Sadly, it seems Nintendo chose a different path for the as-yet unreleased channel. Stephen Totilo at the MTV Multiplayer blog broke the news:

"There is a pamphlet packaged with the peripheral that includes a 16-character code, a 'Wii Download Ticket Number,' to be used for downloading the Wii Speak Channel... A Nintendo rep further clarified to me that the channel won't be able to be downloaded through any other means. You won't be able to get it off the Wii Shopping Channel manually, nor would you be able to buy it. Essentially, the Wii Speak Channel will be available to new purchasers of the Wii Speak mic and that's it."

Totilo goes on to warn Wii owners that purchasing a used Wii Speak accessory may not be in their best interests. The "Wii Download Ticket Number" will not be replaced by Nintendo or any retailers if it is lost or stolen. Or in many likely cases, used by a previous owner. On the bright side, no fools will be paying for the channel without the proper microphone. But on the other hand, with the lack of third-party accessory compatibility, there is no competition in this realm for making a better product, which means no headset (for this channel at least) for now. With that in mind, I'd say 'tis a dark, dark day for accessory lovers like myself, indeed.