Nintendo adding locking clasp to Wiimote wrist straps?

We've already seen the Wiimote straps survive one revision, but now it seems that the oft criticized bands that keep your Wiimote from delving into your television screen (or window) could be seeing yet another improvement. Judging by an image showcasing what appears to be a brand new Wiimote wrist strap, Nintendo has added locking clasps in order to keep the controller snug around your wrist. Currently, there's been no word on whether existing Wii owners will be receiving any free upgrades, but considering how few Wiinjury reports we've seen of late, hopefully this precaution is at least somewhat unwarranted.

P.S. -Any new Wii owners out there seeing this same surprise upon unboxing?

[Via Joystiq]

[Rob @ Aug 4th 2007 10:42AM]

Next news report from Nintendo would be:

"It's official, Nintendo decides to stop making games that make people move a muscle other than their fingers. Due to the number of reported injuries and damaged television sets and/or property, Nintendo decides to drop all games, support, and further development of games that require such interaction."

This is really getting ridiculous.

[basroil @ Aug 4th 2007 10:49AM]

looks like that carpet is popular with people divulging information... HP7 anyone?

[mWMA @ Aug 4th 2007 10:57AM]

I am surprised that no one is complaining about way Wii is being sold these days. Anyone trying to buy console only will find it being out of stock but if you want to buy a bundle, suddenly they have a console to sell you except the bundle cost 450-600 dollars is basically the console + accessories + 3-5 games. It seems the retailer are really squeezing the Mii want Wii crowd by putting the console only out of stock 29 out 30 days in most places.

[Krono6 @ Aug 4th 2007 10:58PM]

But the thing is, chances are the bundle is what you're actually looking to get in the first place.
I know when I bought my Wii in December (being as overpriced as it was to find), I bought it with another Wiimote, and a few games, which were the exact contents (more or less) in a bundle at the time anyway.

[Jigar @ Aug 4th 2007 11:17AM]

I bought my Wii console after Circuit City finally had some in stock on July 22nd, but I got the 2nd gen straps (not the one with the locking clasp).

[Eric @ Aug 4th 2007 11:23AM]

One of the local Wal Marts had 5 systems in stock last week when I was there.

I don't particularly need a locking strap, but by the time I get around to buying another controller maybe I'll get one anyway.

[Kyle @ Aug 4th 2007 11:25AM]

Unboxed mine 30 July. No locking strap.

[Antone_e @ Aug 4th 2007 11:55AM]

pretty cool but am still with the old strap lol
never had an issue

[KC @ Aug 4th 2007 12:01PM]

I hope Nintendo offers us free replacements again as they did for the original incarnation of the strap to the new thicker version. That would be very nice of them indeed.

But for those looking for Wii's in stock and who live in Canada or close enough to the border (as the going Canadian rate is only $289 so it may be worth it with the exchange rate) to come across and get one, Real Canadian Superstore locations have plenty in stock on a consistent basis. Whether it's because people think of Superstore as a grocery store and don't think of them as a place to buy electronics or because they order them more often then some other stores is a matter for debate, but they definitely have 3 to 5 consoles sitting on the shelf every time I am in there (about twice a week for groceries)

[CapWKidd @ Aug 4th 2007 12:04PM]

Wii's are still hard to find?! I got mine months ago.. maybe I should sell it on ebay for more ;>! haha

[Rmayii @ Aug 4th 2007 12:39PM]

Received our replacement straps August 2 WITH new locking mechanism. They take a wii bit longer to clamp than the old slider mechanism, but feel much more secure. Big improvement overall!

[ark_v2 @ Aug 4th 2007 12:43PM]

I love how intrascendent this is.

[Paul Gandersman @ Aug 4th 2007 12:45PM]

How many times have I said we need locking mechanisms on the vehicle doors??

[Hoss @ Aug 4th 2007 3:44PM]

MMmm, Jurassic Park.

[prokanda @ Aug 5th 2007 1:50AM]

Wow.. laughed twice in this topic.. laughed HARD... :)

[James328 @ Aug 4th 2007 12:55PM]

I hope to get some replacement straps with this locking mechanism. I constantly find myself readjusting and tightening the current straps when playing so they feel more secure. Considering the amount Nintendo spends on R&D (more than the U.S. government spends on educational research) I would have thought they could have figured more of these issues out before release.

To KC - Canada, the Wii stock situation seems better than America. 3 out of the 5 major online retailers have had stock in the last few days:

http://www.nintendo-wii-console.ca

To mWMA, yeah the Wii bundles are looking very overpriced especially now that both the XBOX 360 and the PS3 can be had for under $500. I noticed Gamestop recently raised the price of their bundle a $100 (and added one game) and they have just dropped it $40. Eventually demand and supply will equalise and people won't be forced to buy bundled games they often don't want.

[a boy @ Aug 4th 2007 1:07PM]

I just use one of these, works like a charm!
http://www.clasohlson.se/Archive/Images/Products/Hi/306050_B_2006-06-29_135134_210.jpg

[prokanda @ Aug 5th 2007 1:51AM]

That's awesome. Excellent comedic timing. ;)

[Rob @ Aug 4th 2007 1:25PM]

how do you let go or the Wii remote. I use the strap just incase but seriously...and like the people who let go of the remote when bowling, come on think!

[Morgan @ Aug 4th 2007 1:33PM]

Just bought a Wii this morning from Game in the UK and it does not include this locking clasp. However I did notice that WiiSports now comes in a cardboard wallet now and not a proper game case like it used to. That is annoying!!

[Steven @ Aug 4th 2007 1:52PM]

I have a launch wii and WiiSports came in a cardboard wallet... it never came in a dvd case.....

[Morgan @ Aug 4th 2007 2:01PM]

Interesting. I bought a Wii at the end of January and it had WiiSports in a dvd case. Something else of interest is that the WiiMote straps in this brand new Wii are still the first generation ones, or at least they appear to be. No reinforced strap, it looks identical to my first WiiMote.

[prokanda @ Aug 5th 2007 1:55AM]

We have a launch console and got the cardboard wallet and the "thin" straps. Although if you're not launching your controller at the TV, I don't see what the big issue is. But, whatever.

[James Daniels @ Aug 4th 2007 2:21PM]

You can go on Nintendo's website and they'll send you replacement wrist straps like the ones shown here. I got mine just the other day.

[Harry @ Aug 4th 2007 2:28PM]

I ordered Wii replacement straps in late July and I received these new straps.

[birkley @ Aug 4th 2007 3:04PM]

If you trek to a more rural community you will have no problems finding a Wii.

Way up here in Maine they are sitting on the shelves.

[Garst @ Aug 6th 2007 12:00AM]

You mean like all those PS3's that have been sitting on the shelves since they were shipped back in November? I've been working in a Wal-Mart in NW Indiana for a little over a month now, and the same five PS3's that where there when I started. But the Wiis still won't stay in the case more than a day. My guess is, customers are confused with all the changes and features that Sony has for their system(s?) that customers just decided that it's not worth figuring out if it's worth buying. While Nintendo basically said, "Here's our system: plug it in, push "power," put in a disc, and enjoy. There's some other features, you can read how to use them, or just fiddle around and figure them out."

[Anthony8720 @ Aug 4th 2007 3:53PM]

Just got a wii on tuesday, and no locking wrist strap.

[Wii-gee-board @ Aug 4th 2007 4:02PM]

Nintendo ought to give out bungee cords. So when someone lets a Wii-mote slip from their hands, it will bounce back and hit 'em in the face as a reminder to not let go next time or keep a firm grip on the dang thing.

[Dan @ Aug 4th 2007 4:08PM]

Think of it as a metaphorical slap in the face from Darwin, except without the "metaphorical" part.

[R. C. @ Aug 4th 2007 5:45PM]

Yay! Now i'm glad I never bothered to get a replacement wrist strap!

[Rick @ Aug 4th 2007 5:49PM]

My 2nd-gen wrist straps haven been fine. Maybe some people are just a little too excited and/or jumpy - I've never felt like I was going to fling the Wiimote into my TV.

[KirbyMeister @ Aug 4th 2007 8:21PM]

I think the Wii drought is letting up. The Target I work at has actually managed to have stock of Wii systems for more than an hour. Of course, it could be due to the fact that August is a slow period for video game systems everywhere, but still...

[fatty @ Aug 4th 2007 10:07PM]

bought mine this morning from the nintendo world store. there was a limited supply but it seemed that all the people on line got them. i didn't get the new straps. also, wii sports came in a paper case.

[J. Evans Turner @ Aug 5th 2007 5:17PM]

The paper sleeve is the standard package for Wii Sports.

[jdk @ Aug 4th 2007 10:23PM]

Anybody in Australia see evidence of these clasps? Also; where do I go to get my free replacements? :)

[AJ @ Aug 4th 2007 11:00PM]

I understand Nintendo wants to improve the wrist strap, but who the heck is still letting go of those Wiimotes? The only time I've let go is during a WarioWare mini-game where you are required to do so.

Nintendo, please, stop it with the straps. Even during E3, the wheel and zapper had unsightly straps dangling. I swear that when I get the zapper or the wheel, I'm yanking that awful strap.

[Andy @ Aug 4th 2007 11:11PM]

I ordered the first batch of replacements just to use as straps for cameras, backpacks, ect. I like living on the edge :)

[prokanda @ Aug 5th 2007 1:44AM]

Uh yeah.. the complaint being that he can't find one/doesn't have the money to get a bundle (or afford proper English lessons for that matter).

So, the bashing is: "it's awesome and I can't find one within my price range".

I doubt you've seen that kind of "bashing" about the the PS3 20gb, I mean 60gb, I mean 80gb, I mean 120gb...

[JBluntz @ Aug 5th 2007 11:28AM]

I can't find one anywhere either!!! Yet another reason to move to Canada, I guess. What is a 'Real Canadian Superstore'? Is that like WalMart with an accent?

[Fruition @ Aug 7th 2007 3:24AM]

Sorry, that comment was supposed to go somewhere else.

[foba @ Aug 5th 2007 9:12PM]

Strap off -> Strap on.

Wii was girly gaming console from the very beginning but this just confirms the truth. Wonder when they will add vibration function-- Oh wait!

Wiimote = sex.

[3v1lkr0w @ Aug 6th 2007 4:39AM]

thats sooo stupid. i have yet to throw my controller into a window or tv and i dont even use the straps...its called not being a dumbass and dont let go of the damn controller.

[Torben @ Aug 6th 2007 8:39AM]

Finally! I seriously thought so many times I would hit somebody in the head with my controller some day!

[Jeff @ Aug 6th 2007 2:05PM]

I recently purchased a pair of the Nyko charging stations, and I gotta say, having those new battery doors with the rubber grippy surface makes me feel a lot less worried about losing the wiimote in a bit of over-zealous excitement. I don't even wear the straps anymore (and I used to all the time). I wonder if/when I'll regret that decision. Hmm.

[Fruition @ Aug 7th 2007 3:21AM]

Last time I checked 500GB 2.5" (notebook) hard drives didn't even exist yet... Do you even own a PS3?

[Fruition @ Aug 7th 2007 3:27AM]

Last time I checked 500gb 2.5" (notebook) hard drives didn't even exist yet... Do you even own a PS3?

[sdman @ Aug 7th 2007 8:46PM]

@jbluntz
The Real Canadian Superstore is a chain of grocery stores here in Canada. It's very similar to a Wal-mart(mostly a Canadian alternative) but with emphasis on being a place to get all the stuff you need, but mostly puts groceries first. It's funny you mention that place because that's where I bought my Wii! I just mozied in and there it was all decked out pretty! Best day of my life!

[sdman @ Aug 7th 2007 8:47PM]

@jbluntz
The Real Canadian Superstore is a chain of grocery stores here in Canada. It's very similar to a Wal-mart(mostly a Canadian alternative) but with emphasis on being a place to get all the stuff you need, but mostly puts groceries first. It's funny you mention that place because that's where I bought my Wii! I just mozied in and there it was all decked out pretty! Best day of my life!

[Jake @ Sep 3rd 2007 9:24PM]

Hey, I accualy know how to get these and placed an order for them, feel free to e-mail me and ask how.

[e-mail]