Nintendo dismisses Wii hard drive rumours

Nintendo has denied suggestions that an external hard drive is currently in development for the Wii - but confirmed that a new peripheral is on the way for DS.

The rumours emerged after Japanese gaming magazine Gamelabo claimed that Nintendo Japan executives held a special meeting recently to discuss the new hard drive.

But a Nintendo of Europe spokesperson told GamesIndustry.biz that any such reports are "pure rumour and speculation".

However, Nintendo has confirmed that there are plans to produce a new headset for the DS handheld. It will allow players to take part in online voice chats and is due to go on sale alongside Pokîmon Diamond and Pearl in the US next month, according to website Gamespot.

So far, Nintendo has yet to confirm a European release for the new peripheral - but it seems highly likely that the headset will also go on sale here when Pokîmon Diamond and Pearl launch later this year.