Nintendo has announced the ability to use the Wii console to chat with friends near and far by using the new Wii Speak Channel .

The new Wii Speak Channel arrives on Nov. 16th and uses the Wii Speak, a microphone that sits on top of your television. This accessory will be sold separately at price of $29.99. People who buy the microphone are given a code that allows them to download the Wii Speak Channel from the Wii Shop Channel at no charge.

The Wii Speak lets people in up to four locations who have traded Friend Codes chat with one another at no extra cost. When you use Wii Speak in real time, your Mii appears on your TV screen and mimics your chat. You also can leave audio messages for your friends and family members or use Wii Speak to narrate captions for your photos