Wiimotes Fly Off Shelves, Into TVs

If you don't know your own strength (or how to tie a strap), you're going to want to read this.

Before you fire up that Wii for another go at Bowling in Wii Sports, take a moment to check your wrist strap. If you're one of the very small percentage of people that are using way too much force when using the new console and its controller, you may want to contact Nintendo for a Wii remote strap replacement.

Play safe, like Reggie does

Nintendo said on Friday that it is starting a voluntary exchange programme in the wake of reports that people were smashing faces, furniture and flat-screen TVs in the pursuit of a good time with the Wii.

Sites such as wiihaveaproblem.com have sprung up to document the destruction people are bringing to themselves and their belongings.

Contrary to what you may have read, this is not a recall of the Wii straps. Nintendo emphasised in a statement released on Friday that this is a voluntary move.

"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," reads a statement from the company.

If you fear that you won't be able to tether your might, you may want to contact Nintendo for a replacement strap. You can contact the company as follows:

E-mail: wiiwriststrap@codestorm.co.uk

Post: Wii Wrist Strap, Nintendo Service Centre, CoDEStorm House, Walton Road, Farlington, PO6 1TR.

Telephone: 0870 60 60 247

And remember, strap up and play safe.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo