Nintendo addresses Wiimote damage issues: sends eMail
- "Wear the wrist strap when using the Wii Remote." Sure, as long as it doesn't break.
- "Do not let go of the remote during game play. For example, in a game like Wii Sports bowling, the ball is thrown by simply releasing the B Button on the remote, not by letting go of the remote!" You listening Tyler?
- Stay at least "three feet" away from the television and other objects.
[Thanks, Michael F. and everyone who sent this in]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ANDREnaline @ Dec 6th 2006 10:26AM
Well,there are enough crazy people who like Zelda as much as Angelina's digital copy :)
Mike @ Dec 6th 2006 7:59AM
Ahhh so this explains why i can't bowl properly. Iv been throwing my wiimote at the screen and wondering why it wasnt working.
SBrooks1 @ Dec 6th 2006 8:01AM
The only blame that should be placed here is on the idiots who let go of their remotes or swing it way too fast. The fact that Nintendo has to come out with safety instructions for the Wii like this just shows the idiocy of some gamers.
Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Dec 6th 2006 8:44AM
Well they have advertised Wii so: any idiot can play.
On other side, of course, if one had managed to get a Wii - probably he isn't "any" idiot after all ;)
John @ Dec 6th 2006 8:06AM
I just think that the Wii isn't ready for the mainstream. We just haven't gotten hold of the whole concept of physical activity. :(
james @ Dec 6th 2006 8:21AM
Also, don't be a dumbass and chill out a bit. Just hang on to the blasted thing.
tony collins @ Dec 6th 2006 8:26AM
my wii-mote speaker got broken when my room mate threw it at the tv, she said she was too good for a wrist stap and would never throw it. Her friend gets really in to it also she hits every one around her that she plays with.
Mike @ Dec 6th 2006 8:51AM
Just remember, if you make something fool proof someone will invent a better fool.
Something about this whole situation still doesn't sit right with me. I'd be very interested to see what the average speed the wiimote would have to be swung at to break the strap is. If it's within the limit of what your average 6 or 7 year old can do then I'd say there is a substantial design problem afoot.
Keef @ Dec 6th 2006 8:52AM
i agree that you shouldent b swinging or letting go of the Wii-mote like a mad moose.....
But i also think that the wrist strap should atleast do its job...
i have the official PSP wrist strap that came with the case i got, and i can litteraly swing my psp off that thing and it has not broken.
I do it out of habbit.... and i dont care if its stupid... as it shouldent break, i do understand that nothing lasts forever, and it will eventualy break.... but not like after a few games of bowling and letting go of the control, that is ALOT lighter than a psp....
gbr @ Dec 6th 2006 9:04AM
Addressing the problem with a load of waffle isn't going to work, we need slogans!!! I think Wii should try these on for size...
http://greenboyroy.googlepages.com/wii-strap.jpg
http://greenboyroy.googlepages.com/wii-strap2.jpg
Andy @ Dec 6th 2006 9:07AM
really, it's not that hard to hold onto the controller.
we get pretty into wii sports over here, but not once as someone let go of the controller and had to rely on the wrist strap to keep it from flying.
jason @ Dec 6th 2006 9:15AM
It's not a matter of the strap working or not, It's a matter of WHY are people letting go of their game controller.
Unless throwing it out of gaming rage (I've seen it and it's stupid) or protecting yourself from an intruder (I've never seen it and imagine it's ineffective) there is no reason to release the controller - and no, I do NOT condone the throwing of controllers in gaming rage.
Rutch @ Dec 6th 2006 12:44PM
"Unless throwing it out of gaming rage (I've seen it and it's stupid) or protecting yourself from an intruder (I've never seen it and imagine it's ineffective) there is no reason to release the controller"
just don't answer the door with a ps2/ps3 controller when the cops knock, or you'll be shot! :^o
MPG @ Dec 6th 2006 9:27AM
Well, anyone who has seen the videos of people breaking their wrist straps know exactly that it was 100% their fault. There's really no way that Nintendo can be blamed for this. Heck, the Wiimote should work fine even without the wrist straps, but some people are idiots.
If anyone ever throws one of my Wiimotes so hard that the wrist strap breaks, I will kick them in the balls. Hard. Multiple times.
Alan Strangis @ Dec 6th 2006 9:35AM
"Do not let go of the remote during game play. For example, in a game like Wii Sports bowling, the ball is thrown by simply releasing the B Button on the remote, not by letting go of the remote!"
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but if you're holding the Wiimote (as pictured) and take your thumb off the B Button, aren't you in essence letting go of the remote, because it's the only digit on the top half of the Wiimote?
I've only seen the Wii demo'ed in store, but wouldn't it make more sense to use the 'trigger' instead of the B Button? Can this be customized in the controller menu?
Tom K @ Dec 6th 2006 9:42AM
The B button is the trigger...
umrain @ Dec 6th 2006 9:43AM
The trigger is the B button. The big face button is A.
stuart.mccrea @ Dec 6th 2006 9:49AM
a bit off-topic here - but is there any chance we're gonna get a starwars lightsabre swingin' game? you could mod a toy sabre to house the Wii remote...
nerdtastic, but you know you'd love it!
stutorker @ Dec 6th 2006 9:51AM
a bit off-topic here...but does anyone know if we're gonna get a starwars lightsabre swingin' game for Wii?
you could mod a toy sabre to house the Wii remote. how cool would that be? nerd-tastic yeah - but you know you'd LOVE it!
elliot Hosch @ Dec 6th 2006 11:46AM
I didnt wear the wrist strap, and now my 42 plasma has a wiimote stuck in it:(
Ned @ Dec 6th 2006 11:53AM
For real people Wii should not need to come out with such instructions!! That is why they have the straps so supid things like this don't happen!! I even have a freind that tested the strap he tryed to through the wii mote at his bean bag wile wearing the strap and nothing! I don't know what in the world people are doing to brake them that is crazy.
Justin Young @ Dec 6th 2006 12:47PM
Why not go the way of the PA?
http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/11/13
cjrenaud @ Dec 6th 2006 12:47PM
This is like putting instructions on toothpicks or Q-tips. The people that need them shouldn't be allowed to breed...
Asher M. @ Dec 6th 2006 1:03PM
hang onto the wiimote. come on, how hard can it be. the images and videos posted online of people playing with it and breaking their screens is clearly a result of brute force than anything else. they are swinging and swooping that thing like crazy. what do you expect? the wiimote is going to go flying across the room you dumb ****. be careful.
Brian @ Dec 6th 2006 1:09PM
I think it's time for Nintendo to upgrade the wrist straps. :)
- Daily Bored
Rikko @ Dec 6th 2006 1:39PM
Guys, seriously, if I drive my car into you, it's my fault. Doesn't mean the car manufacturers shouldn't put airbags and seatbelts into their cars!
1 @ Dec 6th 2006 3:09PM
we hope you are enjoying your wii, rofl.
Sonuis @ Dec 6th 2006 6:21PM
I think I'm going to agree with what most of you are saying: Don't let go of the remote. Wear a wrist strap. If you're actually having problems with that, go purchase a grip sleeve. They are a miracle for those who have extremely sweaty hands, or people who have hand tremors. I've got the tremors issue down.
Rodg3 @ Dec 6th 2006 7:06PM
I'm just going to do the blasphemous thing and use my PSP wrist strap. It has a metal cord on it so it'll do the job nicely ;)
Toast @ Dec 7th 2006 5:37PM
insure? .. where do pick up my claim form?
RoBotkin @ Dec 7th 2006 11:01PM
Actually, insure is the proper form of the word to use in that sentence. Ensure would also work, as they both have the same meaning in that context, but I'm guessing that since you asked where you pick up a claim form you're one of the few people who had difficulty understanding that if yoou let go of the controller while swinging it, it WILL fly out of your hand, so clarification is needed. they mean to make sure that an enjoyable and safe play exparience is had, not that they are providing some sort of idiot insurance.
xaandria @ Dec 10th 2006 12:18PM
I admit it. I get into WiiSports. My boyfriend does too. We swing hard, we use big, exaggerated movements...because it's fun.
Once and once only have either of us "lost control" of the WiiMote and dropped it during bowling, and the only reason the wrist strap didn't catch it is because I hadn't tightened it and the strap had swung up over my hand. Consumer error. And even with my wild-n-crazy bowling action, all it did was plop to the floor a foot in front of me. I supposed it might have bent some carpet fibers, oh noes.
The thing is not that heavy. It would need an amazing amount of velocity to be able to snap the cable to the wrist strap and do that much damage to a television or a beer glass (referring to the links within the story). I mean, really.
"I keep dropping my toy and breaking it."
"Umm...then stop dropping the toy."
leo @ Oct 25th 2007 6:25PM
can someone give me nintendo's email?
bob @ Jan 27th 2008 2:08AM
So, I just took out a 32" LCD today with a Wii. Not the remote, but the batteries. I was bowling my 2nd frame (and my 3rd minute ever with a Wii), caught the edge of the couch, and knocked the batteries clear out. Both hit the screen. Needless to say I bought my friends a new tv this evening. I think that the little sleeves that go over the remote should be required by law. My incident wouldnt have happened today. BTW, I will have a Wii Free sign installed on my door from now on. ;)