Looks like Nintendo is planning a new service for its multi-functioning new handheld – the DSi Speak Channel.

Of course, Nintendo already offers just such a service for the Wii. It uses a little microphone that sits atop your telly and allows up to four users to chat – happily comparing Animal Crossing abodes, if we’re to believe those corny TV ads. Anyhoo, it now appears that a similar service is in the works for the DSi too.

How do we know this? Well, Nintendo actually let its plans slip, when a message on an official customer support page revealed the following:

"To redeem a Nintendo DSi Download Ticket number, such as for the Nintendo DSi Speak Channel, enter the number off the Nintendo DSi Download Ticket in 'Settings and Features' off of the main Nintendo DSi Shop page, then select Nintendo DSi Download Ticket.”

At least that’s what it used to say. Problem is, no sooner was the offending paragraph spotted and widely reported across teh internets, than the spoilsports at Nintendo hurriedly moved to edit all the good bits out. Now they’re acting as if nothing happened, with a rep telling CVG.com “It’s rumour as nothing has been announced.”

But we don’t believe any of that blarney. The cat and all its kittens are out of the bag and we think this is definitely happening some time soon. Well, probably…