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.

Envizions Computer Entertainment intends enter the "console war" with Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo with the announcement of a linux-based console name the Evo "Smart Console."The company hopes to create a linux gaming development platform for the device. Tagged as the "System of Tomorrow," the EVO Smart Console is available for pre-order now but will retail for $250 with rebates. The console will offer "cloud" based computing applications, video on demand, Amiga-based games and all the other capabilities that a normal PC would have.