Can I use the Wii Speak Channel while playing a game?
The Wii Speak Channel is a separate program that cannot operate at the same time as another program, such as a game.
Some games, such as Animal Crossing: City Folk, can be made to include a similar type of functionality which will allow players to interact with the Wii Speak microphone. This in-game feature is completely separate from the Wii Speak Channel. The Wii Speak microphone can only be used in games that have been specifically programmed to use it.
Thats right for 30$ we can talk to each other.... in games that feature this ability, which is currently 1 game, or we can go to a channel and talk.
But sadly as I excitedly looked at this in the store, and thankfully didnt buy it, was hoping this was a wii "vent" for games like mariokart, but alas, no.