Wiimote straps replaced: yeah, all of them!

Well, how 'bout that... on top of the 200k DS and DS Lite AC adapters being recalled replaced this morning, Nintendo just announced an additional voluntary recalled replacement of 3.2 million straps for their Wii Remote Control. Whereas the AC adapter recall is said to be limited to Japan, the Wiimote strap replacement program is most definitely worldwide affecting "all Wiis sold" to date and most of the units still on shelves. So yeah, your strap is on the list for recall if you own a Wii. Whether the broken strap claims were bogus or not is now moot, the perception certainly exists that there's a problem with California class-actions sure to follow. So kudos to Nintendo for acting relatively quickly to address the issue before it snowballed into another Sony "rootkit" fiasco. No information on how to return your strap for the new beefier version, but you'll know as soon as we do.

Update: Thanks to tipster Stefan for digging into Nintendo's bowels and unearthing the replacement request form. Good news, looks like they'll simply ship the new strap without the mess of having to return the old one.

Update 2: Nintendo just called to let us know that the replacement program is entirely voluntary, and does not constitute a "recall". That means Nintendo apparently doesn't think it's a risk for most people, but if you do you can feel free to get that Wiimote strap. Nintendo issued this statement: "Nintendo has a long tradition of delivering high-quality products and excellent customer service. The Wii Remote is meant to be gripped, and the wrist straps are a secondary measure. 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. We have replaced the broken wrist straps and continue to reinforce with consumers the safe and fun use of our products. Through its voluntary wrist strap replacement program Nintendo is offering a stronger wrist strap free of charge to consumers by calling 1-800-859-4519 or by visiting support.nintendo.com."

Update 3: Here's the info Nintendo gives when you order your replacements: "Thank you for your request. Once your replacement wrist strap order has shipped, you will receive a confirmation email from Nintendo. We expect to begin shipping replacement straps around December 21st. It will take 5 to 9 days for delivery depending on your location. Please do not contact Nintendo regarding your replacement wrist strap until after that time period has passed."

[Thanks, Matthew P.]

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2006 11:40AM]

"Why is it that when Nintendo screws up (which they obviously did with the wiimote), engadget praises their solutions... but when Sony screws up, engadget bashes them into next year."

Because when Nintendo screws up it's on stuff like wrist straps and small cracks in hinges, neither of which effect the operation of their systems. And they quickly get the problem fixed free-of-charge.

When Sony screws up, batteries literally explode and firmware updates literally make their systems unplayable.

And I don't know where you read that they screwed up the wiimotes. The wiimotes themselves are fine, it's just the wrist straps that are a little on the weak side.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2006 11:54AM]

Way to slip a Sony bashing comment into a Nintendo fiasco report. I used to love Engadget.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2006 12:24PM]

So is this a Wii-call of the straps or a Wii-placement... lol...

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2006 3:56PM]

"..and most of the units still on shelves."

I would love to know what shelves because I've been trying to get one and it's sold out everywhere.

[steverl22 Posted Dec 15th 2006 12:45PM]

Engadget please go BACK to being a GADGET SITE!!!

Leave the Sony fanboy bashing up to the message boards, is this the only way you can get your page views up?

[bananaboy Posted Dec 15th 2006 6:22PM]

Well it looks like all the morons who don't know how to use the Wiimote finally got Nintendo to perform a recall. Honestly, I've had my Wii since launch, clocked TONS of hours, and used some pretty intense gestures without issues.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2006 6:26PM]

Engadget, the Fox News of gaming blogs... make Nintendo look great when they screw up (like Dick Cheney shooting someone in the face) and then add a shot at Sony (like mentioning Bill Clinton's affair when talking about the Rep Senator who was messing with teenage boys). If this was a sony issue and they were "replacing" things for free, you bet it'll be a called a recall. If you're going to cover news and info on the gaming systems, at least be fair... no wait, you're engadget.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 15th 2006 7:00PM]

That's pretty funny. They sure know how to spin things and react to the market before things get OUT OF HAND (hah funny pun eh?)

"We have found that some consumers get more excited playing Wii Sports than we could have imagined." teehee

[c w j Posted Dec 16th 2006 2:53PM]

somebody with a Wii, please explain to me what move Wii sports uses that requires the player to swing/twirl the Wiimote by the strap?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 17th 2006 4:56PM]

Well this is pretty telling isn't it? Nintendo recalls millions of defective straps are are given "kudos" for it, while at the same time the author uses the opportunity to get his digs in on Sony for the "rootkits" thing, something completely unrelated from a year ago?? Say, how much does Nintendo pay their plants anyway?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 17th 2006 6:10PM]

I just wonder how long it will take them to replace all of the straps, particularly in smaller European countries where getting a Wii alone was an adventure :)

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 17th 2006 8:39PM]

To everyone who is complaining about Engadget being biased.

Sony has had numerous issues where batteries have Exploded and rootkits have infected their computers but have not taken action on it for a while. However, after not even a month, Nintendo has recognized a small problem and is issuing a fix smoothly (i ordered two new straps seamlessly).
Basically, sony failed to correct major problems that had been reoccurring for awhile while Nintendo took immediate action on a small problem that happened.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2006 4:26PM]

Just so you know, all recalls are voluntary -- the government can suggest them, but does not make them mandatory. Of course, if you don't recall, the government can take some actions.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2006 3:47AM]

Funny thing this worldwide recall, the request form only allows for USA and Canada.

Anyone know how I can get it replaced in Australia?

Thanks in advance!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 20th 2006 1:12AM]

I bet biggest cause of the remote strap breaking is because people are probably holding the strap and swinging it around. *rolleyes*

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 22nd 2006 3:29PM]

Well, since our Wii is wrapped up I guess that we cannot even order our new straps until after Christmas. Not too nice on the part of Nintendo.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 2nd 2007 6:51PM]

Excellent puns my friend!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 4th 2007 6:44PM]

To make it simple:
Americans/Canadians: http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/strapreplace.jsp
Europeans: http://wiiportal.nintendo-europe.com/6315.html
Aussies: call [phone] and choose "customer service"
Any others, call your regional Nintendo customer service line!

Hope this helps!