Wii Spot Podcast from WiiSpot.com

But only if you’re interested!

I suppose that the multiple safety e-mails and information being put out there on the proper usage of the WiiMote wasn’t enough for them. Apparently, Nintendo has decided that it’s not worth all the pain and aggravation being caused by all the various injuries and broken household electronics and items and is prepared to replacement the WiiMote wrist straps on each and every Wii that has been sold up to this point… keep in mind that this will be the tune of 3.2 million straps!

They’ve gone ahead and beefed up the strap from a scrawny 0.6 millimeter diameter to the very buff 1.0 millimeter! It doesn’t sound like much, but it should do the trick.

Wii Remote Wrist Strap Replacement Request Form

Nintendo is offering to replace the original version of the wrist straps for the Wii Remote with a newer version. Because Wii consoles shipped starting in early December already utilized the newer version of the strap, you will need to determine which version of the strap you have before ordering a replacement. To view the difference between the original and the new version of the strap, please click here.

If you have an original version of the strap, please complete the form below to get a replacement (also, to ensure you continue to have a fun & safe experience, please read our Safety Information for Playing Wii by clicking here).

Once your replacement wrist strap has shipped, you will receive a confirmation email from Nintendo. We expect to begin shipping replacement straps around December 21st. It will take 5 to 9 days for delivery depending on your location. Please do not contact Nintendo regarding your replacement wrist strap until after that time period has passed.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your interest in our products.

The BBC reported this story as a product recall, which Nintendo vehemently denied with the following statement:

As of Monday, anyone who has any problems or concerns about the integrity of their Wii Remote wrist straps can call Nintendo Customer Services for a replacement strap. This is not a product recall. The current wrist strap is fine - it has passed all safely standards and does the job. This is simply a precaution because we are aware of the concerns over their safety. All new Wii Remotes and Wii consoles will ship with the new, thicker wrist strap. Even though the original straps are perfectly adequate for normal play, we can’t control the exuberance of players.” - Nintendo representative.

I strongly advise all Wii owners to take advantage of this generous offer made by Nintendo, because we all know by know what happens when a WiiMote goes flying through a tv screen! So go and write down your Wii’s serial number and go get your strap replaced!