WiimoteStrap
Latest
Nintendo adds a little color to the Wii, just when we thought it didn't care
Remember a million years ago when Nintendo first introduced the "Revolution," later to be known as the Wii? It wasn't white, and it seemed multiple colors were a shoe-in for the shiny plastic console. Since then, Nintendo has sung a very white, supply-limited song with the Wii, and we're ready for some change. This is not that change. But at least Nintendo is acknowledging that, indeed, other colors do exist, and look just smashing when waved around in the air, in the form of fancy new pastel-colored Wiimote straps for Japan. They cost a few bucks each, or you can get the whole pack for $10. No word if they'll be heading Stateside.[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]
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]
Wii strap now with locking clip
Images are starting to surface that Nintendo has replaced the Wiimote strap again. Having reinforced the part of the Wii strap which caused mayhem back in the more innocent time of '06, Nintendo has apparently now fixed the part which wraps around our wrist by adding a locking clip. Now you can get that extra snug fit and lock it in.Although this redesign might make you think it's time to go back to flailing about with Wiimote in hand using all the force one can muster, we continue to urge restraint and caution. We'd love to confirm this new strap information, but Nintendo's PR team was not in the office today. Hopefully we'll get better images next week.[Via WiiFanboy]
Retractable Wii Sports Cuff enables flinging action
We shouldn't have to remind you just how hazardous free-hanging Wiimotes can be to the health and safety of those around you, but if you or your loved ones have suffered from an unfortunate Wiinjury, a solution has finally arrived. For those of you with the stronger, beefier Wiimote straps, keeping the controller gripped around your wrist can indeed become boring, which is where the Retractable Wii Sports Cuff enters to inject a bit of remote slinging excitement into the equation. The wrist-worn cuff allows your attached Wiimote to be flung "up to 13-inches," and it automatically brings it back to safety before (literally) getting too out of hand. The neoprene cuff looks to be a one size fits all edition, and while we've no idea if you can hack this bad boy to add a bit more length (you know, for real life Wii Rodeos), you can snap up the original right now for just $5.99.[Via GearLog]
Nintendo sez Wiimote strap lawsuit "without merit"
With the class action lawsuit over defective Wiimote wrist straps apparently going full steam ahead despite Nintendo already addressing the main demand to replace the straps, the big N seems to have deemed it necessary to issue an official statement on the matter. Not surprisingly, they're not buying it, saying that they believe the lawsuit to be "completely without merit," according to GamesIndustry.biz. We're guessing that's also about the only thing they're going to be saying about it (publicly, at least) until the whole thing's over and done with.[Via Reg Hardware]
Wii manufacturing costs ring up to just $158?
We snuck a peek awhile back and found that Target itself was only making $12.50 per Wii it sold, and we knew the big N wasn't taking any losses on console sales at launch (unlike Microsoft and Sony), but is it really making money hand over fist? Per a shakily constructed Japanese comparison, it seems that Nintendo's brainchild is only costing $158.30 to manufacture, before you consider the Wiimotes and whatnot (not to mention marketing and distribution costs) that end up being bundled with it, while the 20GB PlayStation 3 clocks in at a whopping $805.85 (saywha?). Interestingly, there's a less-than-understandable $195.99 figure that mentions a "wholesale price," which could be a more realistic figure of how much Nintendo is shelling out when taking external costs (like Reggie flying all over the world) into the equation. Regardless, one thing's for sure -- Nintendo stands to make a sweet profit from the sold-out status its console is in, while Sony continues to fall deeper into a hole they hope will be redeemed with game / accessory sales. Of course, your Wii could end up costing you quite a bit more, especially if you don't have that recently-recalled Wiimote strap looked at.[Via Digg, thanks Mike]
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.]
