Nintendo Wii Straps Are Being Recalled

Nintendo recalls the straps of new Wii video games, because they are easy to tear and fly away from the players' hands, damaging either TV screens or somebody's face.

Nintendo Wii game devices are a novelty in video games. A game controller is attached to the player's wrist by a strap, and when the player moves his hand, the motion is captured on the TV and incorporated into the on-screen action. Wii allows players to play wireless using their hands as a sword or tennis racket.

The Wii technology was release in November, and about 3.2 million connecting straps have been sold since then. But now Nintendo recalls the sold straps, because they're easy to tear.

The thin cord connecting the controller to the wrist strap is the problem. "People refer to it as sewing thread," said Jim Walsh, 27, who has been chronicling the defect and its consequences on a Web site, WiiHaveAProblem.com.

Walsh says, that he receives 20 to 30 e-mails a day, telling stories about how their controllers flew cracking TV screens and beat their girlfriends or moms or sisters black and blue.

Nintendo sold about 476,000 units in the U.S. and plans to ship about 4 millions worldwide. Meanwhile Sony sold 197,000 units in the U.S. and plans to ship about 4 millions worldwide. Both were released in November. The price of a Wii unit is up to $600 on eBay.

Nintendo announced a voluntary recall and released a paper called "Proper Wii Remote Usage" that points out "players should keep at least 3 feet from their televisions and should dry their hands if they become moist."

All Wii buyers may send their details to Nintendo and receive new straps within five to nine days. Nintendo's website is open for players with questions. There's also a hot line for those who need to change the straps.

By Ruzan Harutyunyan for HULIQ.