Nintendo Replacing Wii Remote Wrist Strap

The company didn’t say what the programs will cost, but speculation has the expense in the millions. A Nintendo Europe spokesman said the company “prepared around 3.5 million new, [thicker] straps to deal with the demand for [the Wii] replacement offer.” The spokesman said he didn’t know how many old remote straps had shipped globally but “in Europe it is over 950,000.” The old strap was 0.02” and the new one is twice as thick, at 0.04”.

Nintendo already shipped Wiis with the new remote strap and “all new hardware from now will ship with the newer strap,” the Nintendo Europe spokesman said. Amid reports of injuries and property damage from flying remotes, Nintendo of America (NOA) COO Reggie Fils-Aime recently said the company was trying to educate consumers about safe use of the units (CED Dec 1 p5). “As we help the consumer understand what they need to do I think that a lot of these issues out there will slow down,” Fils-Aime said.

NOA stressed Fri. that the strap replacement program isn’t a recall since it is strictly voluntary. It issued a statement saying the remote “is meant to be gripped and the wrist straps are a secondary measure [but] we have found that some consumers get more excited playing Wii Sports than we could have imagined; this resulted in a very small number of wrist straps breaking.” The company “replaced the broken wrist straps and continue to reinforce with consumers the safe and fun use of our products,” it said, adding “Nintendo is offering a stronger wrist strap free of charge to consumers.”

NOA’s website Fri. featured a replacement request form. It said Wiis “shipped starting in early December already utilized the newer version of the strap.” NOA didn’t comment early last week about media reports saying the thicker strap began shipping with Wii already overseas. The company expects to “begin shipping replacement straps around December 21,” NOA said at its website Fri., adding “it will take 5 to 9 days for delivery depending on your location.” Safety instructions are available at the site -- among them a recommendation to “hold the Wii remote firmly and do not let go.”

Nintendo Europe went out of its way Fri. to stress the company “is not recalling any of the Wii wrist straps,” noting it’s a voluntary program. “There is no problem with the existing wrist strap as long as the Wii remote is used sensibly and properly in accordance with the guidelines provided by Nintendo,” it said, adding “all parts of the wrist strap have passed product testing and quality control.” But, like NOA, it offered tips for “safe play": (1) “Always wear the wrist strap while playing.” (2) “Keep a firm grip on the Wii remote at all times.” (3) “Make sure people and objects are out of the range of movement before play begins.” (4) “Players should keep at least three feet/one meter from their televisions and dry their hands if they become sweaty or wet for any other reason.” (5) “The Wii remote is responsive enough to detect minor movements -- so excessive and forceful actions are not necessary. Therefore, we recommend not to use excessively rapid, violent or wide swinging motions while using the Wii remote during game play.” But users “who break their wrist straps through excess usage or who are worried about their wrist strap should contact their nearest Nintendo Service Center,” it said, noting the “voluntary exchange program has been provided where consumers can replace wrist straps free of charge upon request.”

The DS/DS Lite AC adapter being recalled in Japan was supplied by Nagano Japan Radio, Nintendo said. About 80,000 of the adapters being recalled were for the first DS system; the other 120,000, for DS Lite, it said. In a few cases the adapters’ “external resin” were damaged by overheating, a fire risk. Unclear at our deadline was how many consumers had complained of such a situation occurring.

Strap problems were about the only negative issue in the Wii console’s recent launch, other than the fact that supply doesn’t match demand. Unlike rival Sony, Nintendo didn’t have to deal with product delays, component shortages, pricing concerns or violence among consumers lined up to buy. Despite what Nintendo termed “spot” shortages, Wii consistently was easier to find at retail than PS3. The Wii strap replacement program was announced as wider availability of the console was expected at retail stores (CED Dec 15 p4). GameStop revealed in a Fri. e-mail to customers that its weekend ad circular will spotlight Wii, with units expected to be available at its stores Sun., as at Best Buy and Toys “R” Us locations.

Separately Nintendo said it sold 32,901 Wiis in Australia the console’s first 4 days available, that market’s strongest console launch ever, according to media reports. Each Fri., Nintendo Australia will “update” its “Virtual Console” game offerings for Wii, it said Fri. Virtual Console titles are classic games from older systems that Wii users can download for a fee. Added Fri.: Pinball, Solomon’s Key and Urban Champion from the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), plus Columns, Dr. Robotonik’s Mean Bean Machine, Gunstar Heroes and Ristar from Sega Mega Drive (Genesis in N. America). They joined Super Mario 64 from Nintendo 64, F-Zero and Donkey Kong Country from Super Nintendo, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, Mario Bros. and Wario’s Woods from NES and Altered Beast, Ecco the Dolphin, Golden Axe and Sonic the Hedgehog from Sega Mega Drive. Titles expected to be added this Fri. (Dec. 22) are Donkey Kong Jr., Soccer and Tennis for NES and Space Harrier II and Toe Jam & Earl for Sega Mega Drive. Following Dec. 29 will be SimCity, Super Castlevania IV and Super Probotector for Super Nintendo and Baseball and Ice Hockey for NES, Nintendo Australia said.