Psyclone / React Wiimote chargers recalled due to fire hazard
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted August 12th 2009 4:06PM
posted August 12th 2009 4:06PM
Wii owners, you just can't catch a break, can you? First you're busting up the TV when all you ever wanted was a little ball-free faux-bowling action, and then there's that Rock Band controller / chemical burn fiasco. And now? The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has just announced a voluntary recall of a little something called the 4-Dock Battery Recharge Station. This guy (available from Target, Toys R Us, and Amazon.com under the Psyclone brand, or from Best Buy under the React name) has been recharging batteries, excessively overheating batteries, posing fire risks, and burning the occasional hand since they first went on sale in January, 2008. Think you may have one of the offending units? Don't just call the Waaaambulance -- hit that read link and demand satisfaction!
[Via GamesIndustry.biz]
[Via GamesIndustry.biz]
I got one of those. The batteries were terrible and hardly kept a charge, so it is no surprise to hear it was a fire hazard as well. I have it sitting in a closet somewhere now, but don't see any incentive to get a replacement.
Good ole Energizer and Duracell rechargeable batteries ftw. I got some when I first got the Wii, then added a few more packs over the years, and now use them in Xbox360 controllers, TV remotes, etc. etc. To hell with dead batteries!
Welp.
I would be one of those owners.
oh god
I've never understood these controller display stands that just happen to have a recharging feature. It's not like people use their Wii's so frequently as to justify recharging batteries. Two AA batteries should hold you over until mid 2010...
Try saying that when you have RAVING RABBIDS!
But seriously, I play a lot of Mario Kart, it comes in handy. The batteries I have also work on my 360 controllers.
Yeah, I've got the rechargeable packs for my 360 as well, but I just buy a pack of batteries every six months or so for the Wii.
so true.
You're clearly not the market for the recharging dock. On mine and my friends' Wiis, the batteries are always going out.
OMG!!! thank you for the advice iPoop!
My entire life I've hunted down blog comments in search for the holy grail comment that tells the person who reads it what to get instead of the wii....I have finally found that comment!!!! I can finally end my quest and settle down with my wife and kids that I left behind.
perish.
I'm very happy with my Nyko charger..I'll stay away from these pyros from now on.
Maybe I am late to pay attention, but Engadget has been really on a rip lately with zany pictures for their articles.
Zany? We have a bill in Illinois right now to have all ambulances renamed waaahmbulances. It's good for morale!
jeez who has removeable batteries these days, ill just keep playing on my macbook pro (13'), ipod touch and ps3
That was idiotic iPoop. Pathetic actually.