Nintendo "Recalls" 3.2 Million Wii Straps

[AtomSmasher]

After staying mum on the issue since launch, the publisher finally admitted they had an issue to the Associated Press and then announced that they are replacing Wii straps for those who would like the peace of mind of knowing that when they play Wii Sports they won't be caving in the front of their $3,000 plasma screen.

The AP reports that the company announced today that they are "recalling" 3.2 million straps for the Wii.

According to the Nintendo site, if you have an original version of the strap you need to complete a form. Once the replacement strap has shipped you will receive an email from the company. They say on the site they expect to start shipping the straps by Dec. 21 and it will take five to nine days for delivery.

http://kotaku.com/gaming/nintendo/ap-nintendo-recalls-32-million-wii-straps-222068.php

[versapak]

I know I am probably just paranoid, but with an overzealous 7 year old and a non gaming experienced 8 year old, I am very glad for this.

[ChadTower]

And all those people with CRTs win! 

Small plastic controller vs thick glass CRT is no contest.   

[somunny]

Anyone else think that the whole thing was one freak accident followed by a bunch of "mee too"s? 

[ChadTower]

If I were a betting man I'd put money that most Wii users can't be bothered with that strap anyway.

[versapak]

If I were a betting man I'd put money that most Wii users can't be bothered with that strap anyway.

I dunno.

I can certainly see how it is possible for the wiimote to take a trip out of a users hand. All of mine actually have 2 straps on them, and they have a silicone skin for better grip.

Again... Paranoid, but I love that high def big screen too much to bother risking its life.

[bleemus]

I've never had a problem with it coming out of my hand.  I guess I'm just a tame gamer.

I'm going to nab some free ones though, for when the ones I am currently using get a little worn.

[ChadTower]

It's just common sense to keep your expensive new controller strapped to your wrist.

Don't ever count on the average user to have common sense.

[versapak]

It's just common sense to keep your expensive new controller strapped to your wrist.

Don't ever count on the average user to have common sense.

The problem isn't that people don't have it strapped to their wrist. The problem was that in a few cases that little strap that connected it to their wrist broke.

I haven't had any issues losing control of the controller either, but my kids both have lost grip a couple times. When you are swinging the controller and letting go of buttons at the same time, I can see how less coordinated hands could fail.

[ChadTower]

Right, but if you assume most of those users aren't going to strap it to their wrist, then changing the strap isn't going to make them less likely to throw it through their projection TV screen.

[Tahnok]

Right, but if you assume most of those users aren't going to strap it to their wrist, then changing the strap isn't going to make them less likely to throw it through their projection TV screen.

Yeah, but then it's their fault. Nintendo doesn't need a bunch of emails from people who were using the strap saying that it broke and killed their TV. Now, with this recall, Nintendo can't be blamed for someone throwing the wiimote into their TV. I think it's just matter of Nintendo wanting to cover themselves.

[versapak]

Right, but if you assume most of those users aren't going to strap it to their wrist, then changing the strap isn't going to make them less likely to throw it through their projection TV screen.

I see what you're sayin.

Yeah, I am sure there are a bunch of people out there that can't be bothered. They'll just have to learn the hard way.

It only takes once.

[AlanS17]

I( won't get my Wii until Christmas, but I'll definitely be getting this strap. I love my 50" Samsung DLP TV too much to put a controller through it.

[tommy]

I think I'll just duct tape mine to my arm till the new straps arrive. 

[AlanS17]

http://wiihaveaproblem.com/

[releasedtruth]

Wheeeeee, save your plasma screen for a system that actually has use for it. 480p hobo systems aren't the future.....

GT

[AlanS17]

Wheeeeee, save your plasma screen for a system that actually has use for it. 480p hobo systems aren't the future.....

GT

That's why I just bought a 360 in addition to the Wii I'll be getting for Christmas. They fill seperate niches (at least to a point).

My brother is going to have a 360 and a PS3. I just think that seems redundant for the most part.

[xxabsentxx]

Did you see the picture of the chick with the HUGE black eye on Wiihaveaproblem.com?  Or the Wii-mote sticking out of the TV?  Thats hilarious.

[More Cowbell]

I just ordered my replacement straps from my.nintendo.com. It was pretty easy and they should be here within a few weeks. Now hopefully my kids can keep the things strapped to their hands long enough for me to get the heavier duty straps. Although in looking at the comparison pictures, the new ones don't look that much stronger.

[ChadTower]

I hadn't seen that site yet.  I'm laughing ---my bottom--- off. 

[Howard_Casto]

Wheeeeee, save your plasma screen for a system that actually has use for it. 480p hobo systems aren't the future.....

GT

Well yes but the only way you can get 480p out of the wii (as opposed to 480i) is to use component cables and only hdtvs have component in.  Dvd's are only 480p ya know and nobody thinks a person is crazy for hooking up a dvd player to a hdtv.  Besides, the bigger the tv, the bigger the on-screen buttons and thus the easier it is to aim.  I can't imagine hitting some of the smaller targets in zelda on anything smaller than a 32 inch tv.   

[versapak]

Well yes but the only way you can get 480p out of the wii (as opposed to 480i) is to use component cables and only hdtvs have component in.  Dvd's are only 480p ya know and nobody thinks a person is crazy for hooking up a dvd player to a hdtv.  Besides, the bigger the tv, the bigger the on-screen buttons and thus the easier it is to aim.  I can't imagine hitting some of the smaller targets in zelda on anything smaller than a 32 inch tv.  

Wrong.

There are plenty of SDTV's that have component inputs.



That being said...

I have no issues with the 480p output on my HDTV, because as Howard said, it is no different than watching DVD's on one.

Right now the Wii games do look like crap (not really crap, but very last generation), but that is because there hasn't yet been a game that was developed for the power of the Wii.

There were plenty of cube games that look great, and the Wii is capable of twice that power, so we will definitely see stuff that looks good. No, we won't be seeing any games that look like PS3 or 360 powerhouses, but then we won't be seeing any games on the 360 or Wii that utilize that amazing new control system either.



[EDIT]

I just realised this was in the Wii strap recall thread.

releasedtruth - 

 

[ChadTower]

Most even average SDTVs produced within the last 5 years at least have component inputs.  My very average 27" SDTV (bought in 1999 or so) has them.

[Howard_Casto]

Most even average SDTVs produced within the last 5 years at least have component inputs.  My very average 27" SDTV (bought in 1999 or so) has them.

And if you've only bought a sdtv in the last few years if you've had to (old one died) so 95% of the population with a sdtv have the same old sdtv they've had since the 90's.  If you were to buy a new tv now it'd be slightly crazy to buy a sdtv given the recent price drops on hdtvs.  Heck even in 1999 it would be...... those tvs with the component inputs cost 100 to 150 bucks more than the ones with standard inputs at the time and back in 1999 there really wasn't anything that used component in yet (some 500 dollar dvd players maybe).  I doubt you'll find many people in that situation. 

[ChadTower]

those tvs with the component inputs cost 100 to 150 bucks more than the ones with standard inputs at the time and back in 1999 there really wasn't anything that used component in yet (some 500 dollar dvd players maybe).  I doubt you'll find many people in that situation. 

Keep in mind that component input does NOT imply progressive scan capable.  There are a LOT of TVs like that out there and those are going to be the CRTs that last the next 5 years.

[hypernova]

Rather than start yet another thread concerning the wii, this current conversation is close enough.

Is the wii's video out connection different from the n64/gamecube?

edit:  I mean, of course, is the shape of the connector different than what it's been previously.  It looks like it is... 

[Howard_Casto]

Not only is it different physically, but it has different outputs.  As we've been discussing the wii can do 480p via component and afaik it is the first nintendo to offer anything better than a svideo connection.

[versapak]

Not only is it different physically, but it has different outputs.  As we've been discussing the wii can do 480p via component and afaik it is the first nintendo to offer anything better than a svideo connection.

Gamecube had component output as well.

[ChadTower]

Rev 1 GameCubes not only had component out via their "digital AV port" (which was removed in later Revs) but also supported 480p.

The digital AV port can be seen here.  The regular AV port is the same as the one on the SNES and the N64 but in order to get component/480p you have to use the digital AV port requiring a different cable.

[More Cowbell]

Got an email from Nintendo saying my straps were sent. Should be 5 days or so. I'll try throwing the Wiimote through my tv with the new strap and let you know how it turns out. 

[hypernova]

I'm not going to be utilizing component at all, at least until the TV goes downhill, so I'll stick with svideo

Which leads me to my next question:

Is it possible to splice a few tv connections together from different systems?  Previously, I had some of those multisystem tv hookups (xbox/ps2/cube all-in-one.)  Unless they come out with some new ones, I'll have to either:  get a switch box, or make my own, or settle for lower quality on one system.

Is it simple to just splice a ps2 and wii tv hookup together, using svideo?  Is it just simple wire matching?  I assume there's more than one wire within the svideo connection?  Also, I assume the audios only have one wire each, but if not, simple wire matching again?

[ChadTower]

You'd destroy the video quality even if you got it working.

Spend $20 on a switchbox.

[AtomSmasher]

I got my new straps in the mail yesterday.  They're definately a lot thicker then the old ones and now I don't have to worry as much about people throwing the remote.

Also, I just beat the new Zelda.  Great game.  Took about 40 hours total, but I only got 1/2 the bugs and poes, I didn't spend much time fishing and ended with only 16 hearts (so there were still a lot of heart fragments hidden around), so I suppose the game could be extended another 5-10 hours if you want to complete everything possible in the game.  Overall a great game.  I never played Winder Waker and now I'm thinking I should go pick it up.  If its anything like this game, then its probably lots of fun too.

[versapak]

I got my new straps in the mail yesterday.  They're definately a lot thicker then the old ones and now I don't have to worry as much about people throwing the remote.

Also, I just beat the new Zelda.  Great game.  Took about 40 hours total, but I only got 1/2 the bugs and poes, I didn't spend much time fishing and ended with only 16 hearts (so there were still a lot of heart fragments hidden around), so I suppose the game could be extended another 5-10 hours if you want to complete everything possible in the game.  Overall a great game.  I never played Winder Waker and now I'm thinking I should go pick it up.  If its anything like this game, then its probably lots of fun too.

Going from Twilight Princess to Wind Waker would only lead to great disappointment.

Wind Waker was no where near as good, and the entire second half of the already shorter game was spent going back and forth on the freakin water.

[AlanS17]

In an attempt to get back on topic... My straps just came in today. They were much earlier than expected. They showed up within just a day or two of receiving the email notice.

[shmokes]

You should pick up Wind Waker.  Totally worth it.  I'm about 3/4 through the fourth dungeon in Twilight Princess and so far I think Wind Waker goes toe to toe with the quality of Twilight Princess, and has a far better art style while it's at it.  I know that most people were turned off by the "cartoony" style, but that makes no sense to me . . . what, like Twilight Princess looks like live action?  They both look like cartoons, but Wind Waker embraces it and takes advantage of it. 

At any rate, get Wind Waker and you'll be in for the same sort of brilliant dungeon design, etc.  Great game.

[hypernova]

I wonder if I'll ever have the desire to play WW again.  All because of sailing.  Sailing all but ruined that game for me.   I had no problem with the graphics.

[shmokes]

I loved the sailing.  I thought it was fun, but there was also something zen-like about it.  It was really relaxing.

[Pekay]

Meh just go grab some handcuffs from somewhere ;p. That will keep the Wii secure for a while .
IMHO Nintendo should've thought the strap out.

[shmokes]

Bah . . . they did.  Straps aren't breaking.  That's ridiculous.  People are simply not wearing the straps, in spite of the many warnings (I know I often don't wear it) and when they throw the controller at the wall or TV screen they deliberately snap the strap and make up a story so they'll look less retarded.  Once you actually feel how light a Wii controller is, and how strong the Wii strap is you will understand what I'm talking about.