Wii Strap Recalled, Replaced For Free
 

Nintendo recalls more than three million straps for the Wii console:

Nintendo recalls 3.2m Wii straps

Nintendo is offering to replace the original version of the wrist straps for the Wii Remote with a newer version. Fill out their online form to receive up to 4 replacment wrist straps for your remotes:

Official Nintendo Wii Replacement Wrist Strap Program

I still don't understand how ppl let the wiimote slip from their hands into a precious TV. After testing the Wii a couple of times myself, I can tell you that it's frickin hard to even let it slip. Even with my sweaty hands I have had no problems at all and if you do, just buy a sleeve. My friends had the same opinion about it and I really think you have to be an idiot to let something like this happen.

That's really some nice customer service and a prompt response. Way to go, Nintendo.

I haven't had any problems with the strap. To me, it is very strong and if you are following proper directions breakage shouldn't happen at all.

I still filled out the replacement strap form though. I'll be getting 4 of them. I thought that I might as well get the stronger straps for safekeeping. ^.^

I've seen how hard idiots swing it, wasting all their energy. It's believable that it flies right out of their hands.

I hope Nintendo realizes that people still love them despite the weak wrist strap.

As was said in some newspaper article regarding this, this is a testament to how much people get so "into the game" with their Wiis. Sure, it's hella excessive if the remote actually slips out of your hand' but still, it's fun. Wii sales aren't hurt at all from this or anything either.

I guess I'll get these new straps anyway. Shouldn't hurt to get free stuff from Nintendo. ^^

According to an update on 1up's article Nintendo isn't actually recalling the 3.2 million straps. They're just shipping out new straps to everyone, which seems a lot more practical. I mean, it's not difficult enough to attach a new strap that it warrants returning the wiimote to Nintendo for repair.

I filled out the form to get a free strap for the one controller that I've got. It still seems like you'd have to be an idiot slinging the remote around to break the old strap, but it doesn't hurt to get the sturdier one for free. I'm honestly more worried about friends who don't own their own Wiis not wearing the strap. I had someone over playing Rayman a few weeks ago and I had to keep making sure he was wearing it, especially during cow tossing.

It's a testament of "people are fucking idiots and can't use things properly, so we'll do it for them instead".

Wii Sports is not the fucking olympics.

I'll probably send in for the new wrist straps just for the heck of it, but they're doing this after 3 reports of injury. How many people have played Wii (not just purchased, but played one) without injury? Probably millions. Three idiots out of millions does not a defect make, but Nintendo is trying to show good faith and diligence so good for them. :savepoint:

This is silly. I rarely use my strap because I'm not stupid enough to let it fly out of my hand.

I've personally also never had the Wiimote fly out of my hands. To me its a non-issue, but I ordered some new straps anyway. Cheers to Nintendo for shipping them out to us for free.

What the fuck? I like how they are talking like it's the hardware to blame here and not the strap. I mean, can you really count the strap as part of the remote? Not everyone has the need to use it.

If they would actually try HOLDING the wiimote properly then there would be no tension on the strap AT ALL.

Why can't they understand that only idiots succeed in doing this? You crashed the remote into a wall... stop whining. It's totally your fault for not properly holding the remote. Oh, and those exaggerated movements probably got something to do with it too.

I wouldn't be suprised if Nintendo responds to this even with a lawsuit this silly. They could again show how much they care about their customers and be the good example company everyone love's to talk about. The stratps are already getting replaced for free but I can't see the wiimotes getting a replacement since they are not the cause of the problem.

My movements when playing Wii are exaggerated as anything, i've knocked things over, hit other people (and been hit), even hit a light but it's never even come close to slipping out of my hand.
Breaking something with excessive force does not = defect. It's so easy to destroy this case but Nintendo has just gone and fixed the problem anyway.

Yeah I've hit the wall plenty of times. Maybe Elixir and Psycho Josh will label me a fucking idiot but it's a hell of a lot more fun that way.

And the controller even slipped out of my hand once, During Wii Bowling. The wrist strap caught the controller, arc it around and hitting me in the face with it. Time to sue Nintendo.

Nintendo's reaction:
Well I guess it was expected since they we're already busy replacing the straps but something tells me more lawsuits are about to come :) How is the problem with Interlink going btw, any results yet?

As for the controller slipping issue, they should release some kind of grip add-on for the wiimote, a kind that adds three sockets for the fingers you don't use and problem = solved. Or maybe some kind of glove with velcro that would stick too the controller in the palm of your hand. It wouldn't make the wiimote look prettier I guess but it's much better then breaking a TV.

Didn't Nintendo already replace some Wiimotes that stopped working after Abuse(tm)? Such as... these guys!

I still haven't got mine, and I ordered mine ages ago. Good job Nintendo Europe.

I got mine in the mail on Monday. Good job Nintendo America!

I got mine in quite a while ago. Apparently they sent me double of what I requested. ^_^

Truth be told, It's only Wii's that were shipped pre December (I would say anything from December 8 and on is good) that have the old Wii straps. Yet it doesn't hurt to get extras (2 points to Nintendo for the Speedy Fix and Free replacement). Also, the reason why the Wiimotes slip outta the hands (as already proven) is because of people really getting into the game (Another point to Nintendo). However, I think I found the real reason on why the Wiimote straps keep breaking. THey continuosly get frayed by the Nunchuck attachment being attached to the Wiimote. If you look at the Part where the Strap attaches to the Nunchuck cord, You'll see two 90 degree angles that can fray the cords. Take into account that people switch between games that use it and don't use it and you can have it being frayed very fast. Also the Strap is low enough to clear the nunchuck attachment cord that you really don't need to use it. So a good bit of advice is not to slip the Wiimote strap cord through the Connector for the nunchuck. It's useless and it frays the cords. That is the real reason they are breaking and I don't think Nintendo has thought of that yet.

Just got mine today. ^^ Yay Nintendo. My next mission is to get some DS cases and one Wii case (for Wii Sports) and make some high quality covers for my GBA games.

Just got 2 emails today with:

:( The order status only shows my component cable order....nothing there about my strap(s). I'll have to call tomorrow and give them my order numbers.

and doesn't it make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside for that $1500 dollars they spend on HD ready plasma tv's?

Just got my straps today as well. I was expecting a cool box saying:

" OFFICIAL NINTENDO WII STRAPS "

But ehh.. It came it a small bubble envelope ^_^''

Thanks to Nintendo though~ My old straps were fine anywho, but now i have 4 new straps!

I got my new straps a couple days ago. I only asked for 1 since I only have one Wii-mote, but some people I hear are getting like 8 of them after only ordering a few. hehehe. Good times though. Amazing. My original straps worked just fine, but clearly the little wire is thicker in the new versions.