Nintendo strap replacement an admission of guilt

Stan Beer
Monday, 18 December 2006 07:58

Opinion and Analysis

After reports of broken TV screens and injured players hit by flying Wiimotes, Nintendo has offered to replace restraining straps on the units shipped so far. There are two issues that now face Nintendo and they could present a problem for the company.

Nintendo has not admitted to receiving any complaints from consumers so far. However, the fact that Nintendo has responded to reports such as those appearing on the web by offering to spend its own money to replace straps with a sturdier version is in effect an admission that there is a problem.

The other issue is that Nintendo obviously knew that flying Wiimotes was going to be a potential problem from the outset, which is why wrist straps were part of the unit. Obviously Nintendo would have done considerable testing in-house and likely cracked more than a few TV screens at Nintendo headquarters.

Given that Nintendo has known of this potential problem and that it has now publicly admitted that its Wiimote straps are inadequate, it would seem that any player that has suffered property damage or physical injury as a result of playing a Wii game, may have a case to demand compensation.

Since the issue has surfaced, Nintendo has issued the following precautionary advice for players:

- Always wear the wrist strap while playing.
- Keep a firm grip on the Wii Remote at all times.
- Make sure people and objects are out of the range of movement before play begins.
- Players should keep at least three feet/ one meter from their televisions and dry their hands if they become sweaty or wet for any other reason.
- Remember that the Wii Remote is responsive enough to detect minor movements - so excessive and forceful actions are not necessary. Therefore we recommend not to use excessively rapid, violent or wide swinging motions while using the Wii Remote during game play.

Very sensible advice indeed. However, a bit like bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted.