We all know that Nintendo is behind when it comes to online interactions. Nintendo is intent on utilizing a WiFi connection even though it is not very conducive to quality performance online, and the friend codes are laborious and an unnecessary precaution. In their efforts to protect their younger consumers, they have produced an incredibly constrictive online environment that is pretty hard to like.

But at least they are trying. Nintendo is definitely striving to bring a better online experience to consumers, although they are still leagues behind the other competitors in that aspect. Mario Kart Wii is a perfect example of this; the Mario Kart Channel is a cool way to track stats and world record times, and 12 players races are fluid and fun. Nintendo is doing their best to catch up, and I respect that. But if there's one thing that I will never understand, it's Nintendo's attempt at bringing online voice chat to the Nintendo Wii: Wii Speak.

Wii Speak is an attachment that plugs into the USB port on the back of the Nintendo Wii. When used with a compatible game, the device acts as a microphone that you can use to talk to someone over Nintendo WiFi connection. Which is cool; we've been waiting for news on Wii voice chat, so it's good that they addressed the issue. What is strange about this device, though, is that it is supposed to be used as a "community" microphone, so multiple people in the room can use it.

The first thing that comes to mind when I hear that is: When are you ever going to need a community microphone? The only thing I can think of is if Mario Party ever gets WiFi support and you are playing with a few people on one Wii. But even then I might prefer to have a personal headset so I don't have to share the airwaves with my buddy sitting on the couch two feet from me.

And on top of that, I really don't want my mom coming in the room and realizing that she can be heard by my three friends playing Animal Crossing: City Folk. My mom would freaking eat that up; I can only imagine what kind of odd things she might say while trying to impress the strangers I am fishing alongside. A microphone where everyone in the room can be heard seems chaotic, and could lead to a lot of embarrassment.

I hope Nintendo had something awesome in mind when they thought up Wii Speak. Maybe there will be some awesome family game that utilizes this community microphone. I am not too optimistic. I personally think it's just another example of Nintendo taking the cheap route to make a quick buck. And until proven otherwise, I am still going to be hesitant of this new peripheral.

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