Nintendo to replace Wiimote wrist straps, recalls DS adapters
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Nintendo announced today it will voluntarily exchange 3.2 million Wiimote straps following injuries and damage caused by strap breakage. It also announced the recall of about 200,000 AC adapters for the DS and DS Lite systems in Japan, because they may overheat and cause burns.
Individually packaged and Wiimotes bundled with Wii systems purchased after Monday will have a new, wider, stronger strap with 1 millimeter cord (up from .6096 mm) connecting the strap to the Wiimote.
Consumers can exchange their straps at a Web site set up by Nintendo or by calling 1-800-859-4519.
The adapter recall is expected to cost between 100-200 million yen ($848,600-$1.7 million USD), but it has not yet been announced how the cost will be divided between Nintendo and the adapter manufacturer, Nagano Japan Radio Co. Ltd. The recall does not affect adapters sold outside of Japan. The strap replacement is expected to cost Nintendo several hundred million yen, but both the exchange and recall will have little effect on company earnings, the company said.
Nintendo advised Wii players on safety during gameplay:
- Always wear the wrist strap when playing.
- Keep a firm grip on the Wiimote at all times.
- Make sure people and objects are out of range of movement before play begins.
- Players should be at least three feet from their televisions and should dry their hands if they become moist.
- The Wiimote is sensitive enough to detect subtle movements, so excessive and forceful motions are unnecessary.
- The motions made are similar to real-life sports games, but the force is not.
