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What Kind of Microphone Do I Use for Wii Games?

The Nintendo Wii console features an array of interactive games with players using motion, aim and performance. A number of games also utilize sound, particularly player's voices. Whether chatting, instructing in-game characters, or singing along with your favorite songs, the type of microphone players use with the Wii depends largely on the type of game.

Wii Speak
- The Wii Speak microphone is an accessory developed and released exclusively by Nintendo for the console. It attaches directly to one of the USB connectors on the back of the console. The microphone sits on top of your TV or, if the Wii sensor bar is already located there, directly on top of it. The Wii Speak picks up your voice from anywhere in the room and features a blue LED light to let you know when it's active. This microphone is tailored for use with games such as "Animal Crossing: City Folk."
Wii Speak Channel
- The Wii Speak Channel is a broadband communication service specifically for gamers using the Wii Speak microphone -- no other microphones are compatible with this service. The channel is accessed through the Wii menu and allows up to four users in separate locations chat with one another, as long as everyone has shared their friend codes. Purchasers of the Wii Speak microphone will receive a Wii ticket download number in the package allowing installation of this feature.
Standalone Microphones
- With the large number of music and vocal performance games available for the Wii, second-party hardware developers have standalone microphones available for purchase. Logitech produces a black-and-white "Wii Karaoke Microphone," a USB device compatible with games such as "Karaoke Revolution" and "Guitar Hero World Tour." Gameshark's available microphone is specifically licensed for use with Rockband games, such as "Rockband 3" and "The Beatles: Rockband." For increased mobility, Datel offers a wireless microphone.
Microphone Bundles
- Most Wii games requiring a microphone component are available to purchase in a bundle, or package, that comes with a compatible microphone. This includes editions of Wii's "Disney Sing It" series, such as "Disney Sing It: Pop Hits Bundle," "Family Hits Bundle" and "Party Hits." Another game, "Michael Jackson: The Experience," features both dancing and singing and is sold with a microphone bundle. Also available in bundle editions are the games in Wii's "Karaoke Revolution" series, such as "Glee" and "Glee: Volume 2." Bundles ensure microphone compatibility with specific games.

Nintendo Wii