Jumpin' jinkies, new Wii straps
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Dec 8th 2006 at 10:23AM }
That was fast! No more than a couple weeks after the first reports of straps snapping, causing Wii-motes to destroy electronics, windows, vases etc., Nintendo is selling new Wii straps. Also, new Wii systems seem to be packaged with the improved strap. Although we still recommend you follow our PSA on proper Wii-mote usage, that was impressively quick turnaround. We had ordered Wii straps (as regular consumers, so that we wouldn't receive reinforced straps from Nintendo) to do some testing on their breaking point right when all this hoopla happened, but the package we received already has the new straps. Like a Folgers commercial, Nintendo secretly replaced the original Wii strap with what looks like an improved model, and they thought we wouldn't notice.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Diahrrea Man @ Dec 8th 2006 10:31AM
Woah! That was Sonic-like fast! I wonder if these upgraded straps will be able to withstand the stress that's put on them. Guess time will tell.
First Post!
Agent MOO @ Dec 8th 2006 10:35AM
Sweet! That should save some tv's from being destroyed when "that guy" shows up to play the Wii.
Austin Powers @ Dec 8th 2006 10:58AM
The original straps are be able to "withstand the stress that's put on them" if you don't flail around like a tool. I'll admit that this is one area where Nitnendo's marketing worked against them.
James Lill @ Dec 8th 2006 10:40AM
Guess the wiilympics can pregrees. The wiiletes just need to remember that they can't really knock down the pins with the remote. I guess things like this caused the saying "You have to be smarter than the equipment" came to come into usage. Hmm, but then again, they did buy a Wii to begin with. :-(
James Lill @ Dec 8th 2006 10:42AM
Progress even. LOL can't type. Damned keyboard keeps tricking me. ;-)
The Intangible Fact @ Dec 8th 2006 10:42AM
People swing their wiimotes to hard. Are casual gamers that dumb?
HappyJack @ Dec 8th 2006 10:43AM
What does "pregrees" mean?
Marty @ Dec 8th 2006 11:08AM
Nice work to Nintendo!
Sans Virtue @ Dec 8th 2006 10:47AM
@ #4 >Progress even. LOL can't type. Damned keyboard keeps tricking me. ;-)
Well, a wise man once told me you have to be smarter than the equipment.
x876543 @ Dec 8th 2006 10:59AM
I ordered my new straps today, and component cables along with it. I'm tried of searching for those damn cables.
Lorben @ Dec 8th 2006 10:52AM
Is this just the new straps going out or will people with the old crappy ones get replacements?
syco @ Dec 8th 2006 10:54AM
That means I have a rare 1.0 wrist strap! Awesome.
I can't believe anyone actually uses the strap, much less broke one.
Aex @ Dec 8th 2006 11:01AM
The proper move by Nintendo. They realized there was a problem with their old straps, and instead of trying to be cowards and dodge their responsiblity in the matter, they admit it and provide a solution.
*golf clap Nintendo*
Marty @ Dec 8th 2006 11:02AM
Nintendo shows people flailing around, but the people who are breaking straps are freaking trying to throw actual fast balls with their Wii remote... seriously, you can play flailing and it won't break, but when you try to throw a 100 mph bowling ball and actually let go of your controller, it could break, though I don't believe a lot of these claims...
Rad Thad the 3rd @ Dec 8th 2006 11:03AM
The question is, will people still be breaking TV sets and giving their relatives concussions with the new strap? I feel that even with the new strap, the system will still not be idiot-proof. Next, people will be saying that the glossy finish on the Wiimote makes them too slippery to handle properly. Nintendo will have to come out with remotes covered with Velcro or sandpaper or something.
I guarantee you have not heard the last of stupid people who have broken their TVs with the Wiimote.
Morder @ Dec 8th 2006 11:03AM
If anybody actually requires use of the strap (in that they need it to prevent the remote from going into their tv) then they're obviously not using their controllers correctly.
phantom42 @ Dec 8th 2006 11:09AM
i'm glad nintendo is doing something about it even if its not really their fault. that said, i'd be even happier if they sent a free one or two out to anyone who has registered their wii by a certain date. sort of like how they had their promotion that if you registered a kirbys magic canvas, they sent you a free stylus.
the stupidity of some players isn't their fault, but that simple gesture of goodwill to players would be great PR for them.
biltmore @ Dec 8th 2006 11:13AM
I've said it before ...
If you don't play like a damn Wiitard, then your strap won't break.
Zell @ Dec 8th 2006 11:25AM
I'm glad Nintendo did something to pacify the village idiots. I still feel the original strap is more than adequate for what it's intended for, but clearly I'm in the minority.
That Fuzzy Bastard @ Dec 8th 2006 11:47AM
I'm flat-out astonished at how quickly Nintendo responded to this one. Major points to them for paying attention to how their console was being received, and to acting fast to deal with a comparatively minor problem.
is @ Dec 8th 2006 11:27AM
I dont even use my strap.
Ya heard me.
therpham @ Dec 8th 2006 11:30AM
Wow, when I saw this on Engadget I thought I had the old version, but I just went and compared controllers with one of the guys down the hall from me and mine is obviously the new version. The weird thing is he was right in front of me in line when we bought our Wiis the other day.
Weird.
Joseph @ Dec 8th 2006 7:02PM
Thats cool
Paul @ Dec 8th 2006 1:59PM
I really wonder how many people who comment on how obsurd it is to break a wii strap have never even played the Wii. And the person who said this must be how casual gamers play, I doubt many "casual" gamers even have a Wii right now. I had to camp out for 32 hours for mine, Im a very hardcore gamer and a cautious player but when you get 3 hours into tennis or bowling you arent focusing your concentration on holding the remote. It happens, thats why the strap is there, Nintendo realized it would happen, the strap was dinky and pretty much worthless, Nintendo realized this and that's why its getting replaced. Seems like a pretty straightforward problem with a straightforward solution...
Markham Carroll @ Dec 8th 2006 12:35PM
The next version of the Wii strap should have been made of Kevlar.
DCSimian @ Dec 8th 2006 11:46AM
Some of us hardcore like to flail around a bit. I'm always up and about in WiiBoxing, but I'm not going all nutty with it, like some people in those youtube boxing videos...though they are pretty funny!
It's the nature of the beast...it's just more fun to actually stand up and play the thing...my friends look like douchebags when they try to play it all cool and not get up from the couch. Reversal of fortunes!
nitefire @ Dec 8th 2006 11:52AM
I'm old school and Teeny Wiiny straps are old school.
Represent.
Drew @ Dec 8th 2006 12:02PM
I think the point people are missing is the purpose of the strap. The strap is there to catch the remote in the event it slips out of your hand. If the strap breaks when the remote slips from your hand then what is the point of the strap in the first place. Why even included it.
People expect the strap to be a reliable back up in case they make a mistake. In this instance the back up has failed.
DiRT @ Dec 8th 2006 12:02PM
Don't be a...
WiiTARD
http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/1198/06fl8.jpg
Silver @ Dec 8th 2006 12:19PM
Thank you, Nintendo, for recognizing the problem and doing something about it. I've ordered 4 replacement straps - hopefully I won't see any breakage (I've had one of the original straps break; fortunately no TVs or windows had to die).
I'm amazed at all the vitriol being thrown around about "user stupidity." "I've never dropped a real tennis racket," they brag, "or flung a real golf club." Well yeah, Einsteins, there's a good reason racket and club grips aren't made of smooth, shiny plastic.
As Drew said, the reason Nintendo even included a strap is to prevent accidental flying Wiimotes. The strap as designed didn't perform its duty. Period. It's now been redesigned. Hopefully the new one will perform.
Player1 @ Dec 8th 2006 12:24PM
I think some people on here forget that sometimes kids play the wii. It's totally true believe it or not. And if you know anything about kids, they sometimes get overly excited when playing. And telling them not to do it so hard will only work for about twenty seconds before they are right back at it.
ackmondual @ Dec 8th 2006 1:10PM
anyone know the difference in material between the 2 straps?
It would be hilarious (though of course bad for business) if they'd also released reinforced safety helmets, goggles, and face mask for the ultimate in Wii safety :D
OldKnuckles @ Dec 8th 2006 1:51PM
Why doesn't a third party release king of like a brass knuckles attachment that makes use of the two holes on the bottom of the Wii remote by the nunchuck? They may already be developing them, so who knows. But they would allow a better grip on your remote, along with some degree of customization. If I was stuck at work for 60+hours a week, I'd like to try to do it. But I can't. But you heard it here first.
OldKnuckles @ Dec 8th 2006 1:53PM
*kind not king*
my apologies
DWells55 @ Dec 8th 2006 6:29PM
Thanks for giving me credit for submitting this to you two days ago.
Lanz @ Dec 9th 2006 1:21AM
"When you do something right, it's like you never did anything at all."
Chyld989 @ Dec 9th 2006 6:55PM
Was playing Wii Sports yesterday (bowling, I think), and after my turn (which I had sucked it up) I had the Wii Remote in my hand at my side and I just let it slip out of my hand to fall and be supported by the strap...except it fell to the floor. Just proof that not everyone that breaks the strap is playing like a moron.
Kit @ Dec 10th 2006 1:13AM
Still find it hard to fathom how general usage could break the Wiimote strap. The Wiimote itself does not leave my hand whilst playing, even during intense Boxing, Bowling or Tennis matches.
SonicClang @ Dec 11th 2006 2:53PM
I saw a video on youtube the weekend after Wii came out. A guy was playing basement and he accidentally let go of the remote. Fortunately for him, the thing didn't slam into his TV, but it did fly right into the wall behind the TV. Surprisingly the remote still worked! He showed the broke and frayed strap. It's just a tiny wire, probably 28 gage or less. They need to use aircraft cable or something :)