Nintendo's official European site confirms the use of text-based chat rooms for online friends waiting to race. Updated: Chat will be limited to a choice of pre-determined phrases.
<a href="http://oascentral.warcry.com/RealMedia/ads/click_nx.ads/www.nintendoworldreport.com /@Bottom?"><img src="http://oascentral.warcry.com/RealMedia/ads/adstream_nx.ads/www.nintendoworldreport.com/@Bottom?12345"></a> Update: IGN has learned from Nintendo of America that the text chat feature will be limited to a selection of pre-determined phrases, and therefore will not be input via an on-screen or physical keyboard.
Following last week's announcement of an April 11th European release date for Mario Kart Wii, Nintendo has updated the game's hub page on its UK website with confirmation of the ability to text chat with registered friends outside of races.
"You’ll be able to race against up to 11 other players from around the world in massive online races or race against your friends. You can create rooms for friends to join and even text chat while you’re waiting for other racers."
Given that previous Wii firmware updates have made it possible to use USB keyboards in the Internet Channel and elsewhere, it would seem likely that Mario Kart Wii will support the use of keyboards in addition to the familiar Wii Remote text input method.
As well as chatting with each other prior to competing, friends will be able to jump into each other's races at any time, serving as spectators until joining in the action when the next circuit commences. Rounding off the game's online features, Mario Kart Wii will install its own Channel on the Wii Menu that will allow players to compare their top times with the best the world has to offer, download ghost data to compete against, and participate in special events organised by Nintendo.
