Nintendo Wii Remote wrist strap replacement
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Replacement wrist straps, packaging, and safety information
Replacement wrist straps, packaging, and safety information
Amidst rising reports of broken TVs and injured players, Nintendo is offering to replace 3.2 million original Wii Remote wrist straps with a newer, stronger version.
Nintendo, which is facing at least one lawsuit over damage caused by a reported wrist strap breakage, firmly asserts that this action is a replacement, not a “recall”, of the original strap. The company is also taking efforts to “reinforce with consumers the proper use of the Wii Remote” according to Nintendo.
Not wanting to risk any potential Wii-related catastrophes (other than my sinking bowling average) I filled out Nintendo’s online replacement form. Within a few weeks, my two replacement straps arrived.
Credit: Bill Detwiler
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Original Wii Remote wrist strap
Original Wii Remote wrist strap
When I first saw the original Wii Remote wrist strap’s cord, I knew Nintendo was in for trouble. The strap’s wrist band is thick and sturdy, but the end cord feel flimsy. I’ll admit that this may only be perception. I have seen no credible data on the cord’s actual tensile strength or the force required to break the cord.
Original Wii Remote wrist strap with the Nunchuk controller attached
Original Wii Remote wrist strap with the Nunchuk controller attached
Original Wii Remote wrist strap (top) and the replacement strap (bottom)
Original Wii Remote wrist strap (top) and the replacement strap (bottom)
According to a press release from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, the original strap cords are 0.6mm in diameter, while the replacement cords are 1.0 mm in diameter.
I was also surprised by just how dirty our original strap was after just a few weeks of play–image what these straps will be like after a year or more. Yuk!
Original Wii Remote wrist strap cord (top) and replacement wrist strap cord (bottom)
Original Wii Remote wrist strap cord (top) and replacement wrist strap cord (bottom)
The new strap cords are almost 70 percent thicker than the original strap cords.
Closeup: Original Wii Remote wrist strap cord (top) and replacement wrist strap cord (bottom)
Closeup: Original Wii Remote wrist strap cord (top) and replacement wrist strap cord (bottom)
Extreme closeup: Original Wii Remote wrist strap cord (top) and replacement wrist strap cord (bottom)
Extreme closeup: Original Wii Remote wrist strap cord (top) and replacement wrist strap cord (bottom)
The thickness difference really stands out in this closeup shot.
Wii Remote replacement wrist strap
Wii Remote replacement wrist strap
It’s was slightly more challenging to thread the replacement strap’s end cord through the Wii Remote, but not overly difficult.
Closeup: Wii Remote replacement wrist strap
Closeup: Wii Remote replacement wrist strap
With the replacement strap attached, I’m ready to swing for the fences in Wii Sport baseball.
Wii Remote retail packaging
Wii Remote retail packaging
The packaging from an individual Wii Remote shows four happy gamers, enthusiastically using the remote. I’ve looked really hard at the pictures, but can’t tell if they are all wearing the wrist strap or not.
