Nintendo talks AC Wii

Nintendo executive Katsuya Eguchi has revealed that the Wii version of Animal Crossing may allow you to send messages to fellow players via your PC and mobile phone.

In an interview with Kikizo, Eguchi confirmed that the Wii Connect 24 service will ensure that your console is online all the time, allowing for all sorts of exciting possibilities.

"With the example of Animal Crossing, one of the things that might be possible is while the player isn't even actively playing in their town, a friend of theirs could come and visit their town and, for instance, leave them a letter or a gift," he explained.

"Another application might be someone could send a letter from their cellphone or from an email address on a PC to the Wii, and then the player living in the town in Animal Crossing could receive that letter."

The Wii will most likely use a Friend Codes system so you can communicate with other players, according to Eguchi, although you won't necessarily be able to use your current DS code: "There probably will be Friend Codes for the Wii version, however we're not so sure about compatibility. So it's most likely that everyone will be using new codes."

Eguchi went on to discuss the Wii's remote controller and the possibilities for producing a range of add-ons, such as the light gun prototype that was on show at E3.

"I could give you my ideas of [Wii controller attachments] that are possible, but that might end up becoming a product, so right now I can't really say," Eguchi stated.

"Of course, if software calls for a light gun, we'll make a light gun. If the software requires a guitar, then maybe we'll make a guitar. Our number one priority is always to provide the ultimate gameplay experience, so if the game requires a peripheral, then we'll supply a peripheral."

As for the debate over whether Sony nicked Nintendo's idea for a motion-sensing controller - well, Eguchi's not convinced they're all that similar.

"There's a significant difference between the Wii controller and the PS3 controller. If we're just talking about the motion sensor, with the Wii there are two parts to the controller - each hand can move freely.

"But with the PS3 controller, both of your hands are kind of stuck, and I get the feeling that will limit freedom of movement."

Hmm. Anyway, Guitar Hero Wii, anyone?