Nintendo Recalling Wii Straps
TOKYO (AP) — The reception of Nintendo’s Wii video game console has been enthusiastic – too enthusiastic, apparently, for the straps that are supposed to keep the game controllers in the hands of players.
After widespread reports of controllers flying out of the hands of overly energetic players to cause a Wii bit of damage to TV sets, walls and bystanders, Nintendo is recalling 3.2 million straps to replace them with tougher stuff.
The console’s motion-sensitive remote controller can be swung like a tennis racket, golf club or sword, depending on the game. But soon after the Wii went on sale last month, the excesses of overzealous players became apparent.
Nintendo will now allow customers to exchange the old straps, which have a 0.024 inch diameter, for a beefed up strap that has a diameter of 0.04 inch, company spokesman Yasuhiro Minagawa said.
“People tended to get a bit excited … and in some cases the control would come loose from their hands,” Minagawa said. “The new strap will be almost twice as thick.”
December 16th, 2006