Wii have a problem
The Nintendo Wii game console is facing a bit of an unexpected challenge. It turns out that the controls, designed to make game play more interactive, have a habit of flying out of the users hands and smashing windows, furniture and expensive plasma screen HD televisions.
The problem has caused Nintendo to issue a recall on the original wrist straps. I guess they are taking Wii-sponsibility for their mistake…
The problem has caused so much damage to personal property that a web site featuring pictures and anecdotes of Wii related disasters has sprung up. You can find it at www.wiihaveaproblem.com.
“Well… I said I would never do something so stupid but here I am, I received my Wii recently (It’s been on order since November!) Anyway, I bought with it a copy of Red steel because I’ve been looking forward to it since I first knew it existed, anyway I was in a katana fight with the first boss, I’d made two good swipes and swung back for my third, on my third throw I noticed the remote was no longer in my hand…”
Not only is this causing a lot of property damage, there’s a fair amount of bodily injury going on as well.
“Last night I was playing Tennis on my Wii. My girlfriend was sat on the sofa behind me. I was really getting into the game, and I do play it hard! She tried to get off the sofa and do to the kitchen. I went to take a swing for a long forehand shot and I hear a massive BANG. The corner of the remote smacked her in the face, right next to her eye. When she stopped covering her face, I saw all the blood and had to rush her to the hospital.”
Yup, other peoples pain is your reading pleasure at this site.
We’ve had a Wii for three weeks or so, and have had no trouble hanging onto the remote, despite playing some very active games (my daughter loves Wii Sports tennis).
But I can see how some people might lose their grip. The wiimote fits comfortable in my hand, but younger people might find it a bit too large to really grip well. It’s made of smooth plastic with no texture at all, and when gets sweaty it can be quite slippery.
My guess, though, is that most of those people who are smashing their TVs are probably too lazy to slip on the wrist strap — and then they’re lying about it later. “The strap came loose.” Yeah. Right.
As for the ones who are bashing their friends and family members with the remote… well, “You just got in my way” is a great excuse, isn’t it?
Yeah, I’ve had one for a couple weeks now, and while I can sympathize with them, in the one or two times it’s slipped out of my hand, it was neatly caught by the wrist strap that they remind you to put on before every single game. Plus, the new stronger strap has been shipped with the Nintendos for a couple months now - the recall (it was actually just a replacement, not a recall) for the straps happened back in December or early January I think. Besides which, like Jim, I’m prone to think those people who busted their TVs just didn’t put it on and lied about it later. I’d dare someone to break a strap on purpose by chucking the wiimote, no matter how fast you fling your arm.
Also, the Wii told me to say that. It’s taken over my mind.
Wii-sponsibility? Ugh, I think you made me strain an eyeball I rolled them so hard!