Nintendo's Holiday 2008: Wii Speak Channel, Club Nintendo

For the holiday shopping season, Nintendo has number of surprises, including new games, the ability to use the Wii console to chat with friends near and far, and the expansion of the popular Club Nintendo rewards program to North America.

Nintendo revealed a wide range of games for the 2008 holiday season and beyond. A number of games are slated for 2009, including a new PUNCH-OUT!! and SIN & PUNISHMENT 2 for Wii, and FIRE EMBLEM: SHADOW DRAGON and MARIO & LUIGI RPG 3 for Nintendo DS. Consumers also can expect a new "Personal Trainer" series of titles designed to help users enrich their lives and learn new skills in fun and interesting ways.

Nintendo also announced that North American supplies of the Wii video game console between October and December will see a significant increase from 2007's levels, and that Nintendo DS will also be available in greater abundance than ever before.

The new Wii Speak Channel arrives on November 16 and uses the Wii Speak, a microphone that sits on top of your television. This accessory is sold separately at $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.

Gamers have longed for the expansion of Club Nintendo to North America for years, and now Nintendo is making it a reality for everyone. Club Nintendo rewards Nintendo loyalists who complete surveys and register Nintendo products with loyalty coins that can be redeemed for exclusive items available only to Club Nintendo members. Club Nintendo is set to debut in North America this holiday season.