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Nintendo's Wii Spreads Mayhem as Wiimote Goes Flying

By Joseph S. Enoch
ConsumerAffairs.com

December 26, 2006

• Study Questions Effect of Violent Video Games • Active Video Games No Substitute for Exercise • Why Are Men More into Gamesmanship? • Study Measures Impact of Media Violence • Manhunt 2: Pushing the Limit of Gore and Violence • Kids Spending More Time Playing Video Games • Parents Urged To Monitor Kids' Video Games • Fight Over Manhunt 2 Could Get Nasty • The Addictiveness of Virtual Violence • Study: Video Games May Sharpen Vision • Mayo Clinic Study Endorses Concept Behind Nintendo's Wii • Researchers Find Video Games Addicting • Report Finds Progress in Keeping Violent Video Games Out of Kids' Hands • Researcher Urges Parents To Reconsider Giving Video Games • Violent Video Games Leave Teens Emotionally Aroused --- Hardware & Programs • Is Nintendo's Wii Really Good Exercise? • Nintendo Wii: The Buzz Goes On • Nintendo Says It Can’t Meet Wii Holiday Demand • Injuries Grow Along With Wii Popularity • Nintendo's Wii Spreads Mayhem as Wiimote Goes Flying • Nintendo Sued Over Broken Wii Strap • Nintendo Recalls Straps For Wii Controller • Gamers Favoring Wii over PS3 • Nintendo Purchasers Complain of Gamesmanship • Nintendo, Sony Offer Competing Visions Of Video Games • PlayStation 3 Takes the Field • PlayStation 3 Brings Big Bucks on eBay • Gamers Complain "Dead Rising" Fatal to Microsoft Xbox

Parents are always telling their children, "no roughhousing indoors." But Nintendo's Wii, this year's hottest item under the tree, encourages vigorous indoor play that is resulting in many broken TVs, windows, lamps and faces.

People across the world are posting photos and stories of various broken household items, including big screen TVs, pets and heedless family members. Many of the stories are documented on the fan site, Wiidamage.com.

It seems that the console's control, the Wiimote, becomes a dangerous projectile when gamers' sweaty hands lose their grip of the control and send it hurtling through the air.

The console, which is motion-sensitive, relies on the gamer to simulate the motions in the game. This has become particularly dangerous with the tennis, baseball and bowling games. According to Wiidamge.com, the website has received 10 stories of destruction caused by the bowling game, seven for tennis and another seven for baseball.

The problem is compounded by the Wiimote's delicate safety strap that is intended to prevent such incidents. There's even a video on Youtube of a sweaty guy offering up a big serve that snaps the strap and sends the Wiimote into a nearby wall.

Luckily, Nintendo read the complaints loud and clear and is recalling the strap in favor of a beefier option.

That hasn't stopped players from playing and thus, destroying household items. Wiidamage .com has many stories and photos about the Wiimote flying through drywall and shattering lamps. In most of those cases, the damage is not too costly, but there are also photos and stories of the projectiles cracking or flying through expensive TV screens.

There are six stories of expensive rear-projection TVs or LCD TVs being destroyed by the Wiimote on Wiidamage.com. Most of the stories did not yield expensive damage however.

Many pictures on the site speak for themselves.

"Wii Damage is the place to come for all your Wii-related bashes, bruises and breakages," according to the website. "Don't get us wrong, we love this thing! But like those corny home video shows, there's something compelling about the havoc that can be wrought in our own living rooms, all in the name of fun, and it is our duty to record it here for your amusement and information."

There's the story of Snickers the Beagle who investigated the living room activities a little too close but went back on sniffing after an accidental smack to the muzzle, not to mention Emily's engagement ring that got bent out of shape during an enthusiastic bowling back swing. Her husband was able to fix the ring for $21.

While consumers are waiting for their recalled strap, Micah Seff, a reporter for IGN, an online gaming publication, suggests:

"One thing that people can do to avoid a hilariously costly mistake is to thread their wrist strap through the plastic loop on the Nunchuck's connection plug. This can help distribute some of the force a little more evenly and can make a potential disaster into something far more fun (although arguably less funny)."

Nintendo gives this advice:

"Hold the Wii Remote firmly and do not let go. Even while wearing the wrist strap, make sure you don't let go of the Wii Remote during game play and do not use excessive motion. For example, in Wii Sports bowling, the proper way to let go of the ball while bowling is to release the "B" button on the Wii Remote -- DO NOT LET GO OF THE Wii REMOTE ITSELF. If you are having so much fun that you start perspiring, take a moment to dry your hands. If you use excessive motion and let go of the Wii Remote, the wrist strap may break and you could lose control of the Wii Remote. This could injure people nearby or cause damage to other objects.

Give yourself plenty of room. You will probably move around while using the Wii Remote, so be careful that all areas that you might move into are clear. Make sure that furniture, objects and people are out of the play area so you don't accidentally bump into them while playing. Also, as indicated in the Wii Operations Manual, it is recommended to stay at least three (3) feet from the television."

Although parents can't be pleased with broken household items, the increased exercise their children are getting is earning the Wii kudos from doctors.

Elise Hewitt, a chiropractor from Portland, Ore. praises the Wii for getting couch potatoes onto their feat but warns that stretching the muscles before play is essential.

"Unlike other video game systems on the market, the new Nintendo system is unique because it involves a considerable amount of physical activity,"Hewitt said in an American Chiropractic Association press release. "While I applaud a game such as this because it gets people off the couch and moving, it's important for children and adults alike not to overexert themselves."

The ACA suggests these stretches for gamers before playing the Wii:

• Neck Rolls: With your shoulders relaxed, drop one ear to your shoulder and gently roll your neck forward and back, holding each position about five seconds. Repeat five times.

• Shoulder Stretch: With shoulders down and relaxed, bring right arm across the chest, parallel to the floor. Place the left hand on the upper arm and apply gentle pressure toward the body. Repeat on the left side.

• Climb the Rope: While standing, look up slightly. Reach up and over your head with your right hand. Then reach even higher with your left hand. Continue by crossing your right hand over your left as if you were climbing a rope. When done correctly, you should feel the stretch in your shoulders and upper back. Do three repetitions on each side.

• Upward Stretch: While standing, weave your fingers together above your head with the palms up. Lean to one side for 10 seconds, then to the other. Repeat this stretch three times. The ACA website goes on to say, "In addition, plan to take frequent breaks - at least once every 45 minutes for most people. Those with less stamina may need to take a break every 20-30 minutes."

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