Additional details have come to light during the day regarding Nintendo of America's replacement program for the Wii Remote straps.
The company has said, via spokesman Yasuhiro Minagawa, that Nintendo will offer to replace 3.2 million of the wrist straps worldwide with a new model that replaces the 0.6mm-thick wrist strap loop with one that is 1.0mm thick. Minagawa said the replacement policy will cost the company several million dollars.
In the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a governmental agency, is engaged in the voluntary replacement operation. The CPSC puts the replacement figure in the U.S. at 2 million and is also reporting that Nintendo has recieved reports of broken straps, including "three reports of minor injuries not requiring medical attention"—all three of which occurred while playing Wii Sports.
The CPSC advises customers seeking a replacement strap contact Nintendo at 800-859-4519 between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Pacific time, or visit Nintendo at www.support.nintendo.com.
Note: A previous version of this story claimed the program was a "recall", when in fact the straps are being voluntarily replaced. We apologize for the error.
The company has said, via spokesman Yasuhiro Minagawa, that Nintendo will offer to replace 3.2 million of the wrist straps worldwide with a new model that replaces the 0.6mm-thick wrist strap loop with one that is 1.0mm thick. Minagawa said the replacement policy will cost the company several million dollars.
In the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a governmental agency, is engaged in the voluntary replacement operation. The CPSC puts the replacement figure in the U.S. at 2 million and is also reporting that Nintendo has recieved reports of broken straps, including "three reports of minor injuries not requiring medical attention"—all three of which occurred while playing Wii Sports.
The CPSC advises customers seeking a replacement strap contact Nintendo at 800-859-4519 between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Pacific time, or visit Nintendo at www.support.nintendo.com.
Note: A previous version of this story claimed the program was a "recall", when in fact the straps are being voluntarily replaced. We apologize for the error.