The Nintendo Wii Speak peripheral releases Tuesday and it’s already causing controversy. The unit allows you to communicate to other Wii users online via a built-in microphone. The unit seems like a good fit for the video game console, however there is a problem. The peripheral demands you input a 16 character code the first time you use it. This is a one time use code, which cannot be replaced if lost. This means the unit can never be sold, never be given away and never be used on another Wii console other than than the one it was purchased on. Nintendo has long maintained animosity towards the used gaming market but some feel this is going too far.

What do you get when you cross Microsoft’s Xbox 360 with Todd McFarlane? You get the above high-quality, scratch and wear resistant plastic controllers plus a limited edition Halo 3 figurine to boot. And all for $59.99 – each, that is.

See them at Gaming Talk.

That special edition Halo 3 Zune is real, out, and up for pre-order exclusively through GameStop. Available June 15th (pre-order now), the $249 promotional Zune comes packin’ a 30GB disk loaded with a flood of Halorific music, video and artwork. Although you’ve made your thoughts about Microsoft’s would-be iPod killer abundantly clear, the tie-in with the hotly anticipated September 25th release of Halo 3 by Bungie Studio (owned by Microsoft) could generate some renewed Zune-buzz all but lost since its initial launch. Welcome to the Social Covenant kids.