Nintendo's Wiimote: innovative controller, or potent weapon?

While there's always the chance you'll be bludgeoned or shot up while holding down the fort for your chance to snag a Playstation 3, those who take the (presumably) easier route and grab a Nintendo Wii may be buying an accident waiting to happen. Those oh-so-cautious execs over at Wally World have already passed on their chance to install Wii demo kiosks due to "safety concerns," and even those testing it out in GameStop will be keenly watched. In preparation for Wiiday, 1UP has sacrificed some of its own men and women to ensure that all that pent-up excitement (not to mention the effects of sleep deprivation) doesn't lead to a Wiinjury. Although the big N fully expects everyone grasping a Wiimote to buckle up (to their wrist) first, we all know that's not likely to happen -- so you should probably take precautions to avoid getting butterfingers, tennis elbow, entangled, strangled, cancer (saywha?), and a whole host of other potential wounds. While you're brushing up on those Wii reviews, make sure you hit the read link to see just how dangerous that cutesy controller can be.

[Via digg]

[v_dogg @ Nov 16th 2006 3:51PM]

I don't get why everyones so worked up over the wiimote. Just be careful with it and dont kill someone

[Jason @ Nov 16th 2006 3:53PM]

The Wiimote poked out both of my eyes. :(

[jonfoo @ Nov 19th 2006 11:43AM]

@Jason

Then that smiley (sad) face should just look like this (

[NNTPgrip @ Nov 16th 2006 3:57PM]

We got little Johnny the Nerf body suit and wiimote case for his birthday because he might injure himself. Its really neat, it has a pocket just for his inhaler, and its hypoallergenic and impregnated with Microban for bacterial control. Nothing will injure our little perfect child's milky white skin. Nothing. He will know nothing of the cruel, outside world. The only sex he will know will be with his sister (Little Jenny), and even then in a hyperbaric chamber, with a blindfold, and only for breeding purposes. No solid food till he's 21.

[The E @ Nov 16th 2006 3:59PM]

I like how none of the promo pics to date (http://www.zfans.de/zfans/dates/e3_2006/pics/promo_rvl.jpg) have shown this "warranty required" wrist-band on their participants. Gotta love unscrupulous marketing? I don't wear a wrist-band when I play tennis, or hit a baseball, so why take away from the experience and wear one with the Wii.

[Jeff @ Nov 16th 2006 4:01PM]

Always treat it like it is loaded.

[James @ Nov 16th 2006 4:08PM]

Those picutures look so gay! Kinda like "The Social"

[tekdroid @ Nov 16th 2006 4:20PM]

Nintendo would have to try real hard to get to that level of cheese.

[Loban @ Nov 16th 2006 4:08PM]

Well will people learn that you don't need to swing the Wiimote around like a freaking idiot to make it function. Obviously, it's more fun to swing it like a bat in a baseball game, but a small flick of the wrist will accomplish the same thing.

[brandon @ Nov 16th 2006 4:09PM]

Here we go saying that kids play too much video games instead of being active. Most activities carry at least some risk of injury. Why don't we just take away everything that's dangerous. Then we'll see how obese our kids get.

Oh no, Billy, you're not playing football. You might get hurt. You're staying inside and practicing your multiplication tables.

[Joe K @ Nov 16th 2006 4:27PM]

I wonder how long before some kid loses the thing and puts it through daddy plasma...

[sracer @ Nov 16th 2006 4:29PM]

It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye.

[Baconbitz @ Nov 16th 2006 4:32PM]

CNN has reported that two people have died from using a Wiimote. Now give me a break. Be careful and you wont kill yourself or even hurt yourself.

[Brian @ Nov 16th 2006 4:41PM]

Its a video game system. If it's too intense for you to handle, and you aren't smart enough to wear the wristband or tape it to you hand or something; maybe going to the park and playing a real game of tennis is a better idea for you.
Or, do what I'm gonna, and go pick up your PS3 tomorrow!

[toppgun @ Nov 16th 2006 4:48PM]

the wiimote killed my father, and raped my mother

[Jason @ Nov 16th 2006 6:56PM]

Oh yeah? Well the Wiimote killed my mother and raped my father.

[jron @ Nov 16th 2006 4:58PM]

I can't wait for Super Mario Circle Jerk!

[Jim Snyder @ Nov 16th 2006 5:05PM]

haha! *note* I am NOT looking forward to it.

[Alcaron @ Nov 16th 2006 5:09PM]

lol that "saywha?" was perfectly placed, lol.

[Sam @ Nov 16th 2006 5:32PM]

So the Wiimote is a motion sensor controller and a killing device, if you ask me, this is a bonus, not a negative

[Eric Fourman @ Nov 16th 2006 5:36PM]

uh everyone report these sortnews spammer guys ;/

[greg @ Nov 16th 2006 6:42PM]

if your not coordinated enough to use a wii remote then dont buy or use a system!!!!!!111

[jason @ Nov 16th 2006 9:33PM]

@ NNTPgrip

haha, except you forgot to breast feed the children until they're 13


@ The E

in baseball it doesn't make sense to have a tether on a bat because you have to drop it when you run to base, but when I play racquetball I where the tether. the only bad thing about wearing the tether is when I foul up real bad I can't throw my racquet!


@ sracer

no no no... "it's all fun and games WHEN someone loses an eye"

[cloud811 @ Nov 16th 2006 11:23PM]

here's a funny though. Imaing kicking somebodies ass with a wii controller.....heres what a jackass cop might charger "can" charge you for in canada.

Some other types of weapons are also prohibited in Canada. Prohibited weapons include switchblades, butterfly knives and many martial arts weapons. The complete list includes: (scrolls down to nunchuks)

nunchaku or similar objects made up of hard, non-flexible sticks linked by a flexible length of chain. This includes objects where the sticks are replaced by, for example, pipes or other rigid pieces, and where the chain is replaced by rope, wire or other flexible material;

lol, OH NO, IM GOING TO GET THROWN TO JAIL FOR HAVING A WII CONTROLLER

[Nick @ Nov 17th 2006 1:52AM]

so the read link hung up on me and the post doesn't have A WORD related to a new story (just references to cap already posted)...... what is THE POINT OF THIS POST?... I am tired--this really shouldn't bother me like it apparently is

[Francisco @ Nov 17th 2006 7:17PM]

All that just sums up to the expected Wii fun playing.
I will bet my $250 on this platform and although I always liked the good graphics I have been missing fun to play games.
Go Wii

[Jason @ Nov 19th 2006 12:21PM]

I wear glasses, so I started out with four eyes.