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The new Wii Remote Jacket  (Source: Nintendo)
Wii Remotes get a "cushiony shield," in case wrist straps weren't enough

Surely to the horror of all third-party Wii accessory companies, Nintendo announced today the Wii Remote Jacket that will be given to all system owners completely free of charge. The Wii Remote Jacket is a silicone cover made specifically to fit the Wii Remote and “provides cushioning for the Wii Remote for people who might accidentally throw or drop their Wii Remotes while playing games.”

Third-party accessory companies already have similar products on the market, which are meant to both enhance grip and to personalize Wii Remotes in various colors. The official Wii Remote Jacket appears to cushion the outer rounded edges of the device, which with some imagination, could produce some trauma should it meet with another living participant.

"We're always looking for ways to improve our products and make sure everyone has a safe and fun experience," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Many electronics manufacturers provide similar protective covers for products like cell phones, PDAs and MP3 players."

Nintendo’s free offering is just the latest in the game company’s effort to address the issue of flying Wii Remotes launched from the slippery grips of overly enthusiastic Wii users. Early batches of Wii consoles and Remotes shipped with wrist straps that were less resistant to flagrant motions. Nintendo quickly issued safety warnings, beefed-up the wrist straps and offered free replacements to all.

Like the wrist strap revision, the Wii Remote Jackets will be offered free to all Wii owners. Those who wish to claim their free Wii Remote Jackets can go to Wii.com or nintendo.com, or call 1-866-431-8367 to place an order. Also, Wii Remote Jackets will begin shipping with Wii consoles, Remotes and Wii Play the week of October 15.

Along with upgraded straps, Nintendo stressed that the Wii Remote Jacket is meant to supplement, not replace, the basic game-play instructions: “Keep a firm grip, don't let go of the controller, use the wrist strap and make sure your play area is free of people or objects,” reminds Nintendo.

With Nintendo stating that the new Wii Remote Jackets were made for safety reasons, it would not be out of the question to assume that the free accessories are somehow connected to company’s legal position. Last December, Nintendo was sued in a class action lawsuit over defective wrist straps. While Nintendo claimed that the lawsuit was “completely without merit,” the company would likely prefer to avoid any further litigation.

The updated wrist straps guard against incidents where the Wii Remote leaves the user’s hands, and the upcoming Wii Remote Jackets appear to protect the environment while the Wii Remote is in active use. With the Wii potentially entering into the hottest selling season yet, Nintendo may simply be trying to cover its bases.

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What about Europe?
By TheNomad on 10/2/2007 4:51:53 AM , Rating: 2
Why is this offer only North America & Canada only? I would change the title of the article from ALL Wii Users to SOME Wii Users.




RE: What about Europe?
By Holytrinity on 10/2/07, Rating: -1
RE: What about Europe?
By Holytrinity on 10/2/07, Rating: -1
RE: What about Europe?
By acer905 on 10/2/07, Rating: 0
RE: What about Europe?
By SavagePotato on 10/2/2007 4:30:39 PM , Rating: 2
Riiiiiiiight because the good old USA discovered North America, and was directly responsible for 100% of industrial development in the history of man.

You know, I can't imagine where people get those American stereotypes with when well informed individuals like this are running around to set the record straight.


RE: What about Europe?
By jacarte8 on 10/2/2007 8:33:38 AM , Rating: 1
quote:
I hate Aboriginals.


Hell yeah! Now is our time to attack, when they least expect it and before they have time to prepare.


RE: What about Europe?
By creathir on 10/2/2007 12:38:45 PM , Rating: 2
I guess you would rather not have light bulbs, electricity, movies, computers, airplanes, and BILLIONS of other devices we have created to make the modern world, and would rather spend your free time speaking German.

Sounds like a plan. Go ahead and put it in action.

- Creathir


RE: What about Europe?
By Bulldog98 on 10/3/2007 7:14:50 PM , Rating: 3
quote:
I guess you would rather not have light bulbs, electricity, movies, computers, airplanes, and BILLIONS of other devices we have created to make the modern world


I just had to create an account when I read this, just so I could correct another typical example of a typical American.

Light Bulbs were invented by an ENGLISHMAN, Electricity was invented by an ENGLISHMAN and guess what? YES Computers were invented by an ENGLISHMAN!!.

I will give you the Aeroplane although that is disputed by some.

And for a little fun the British also discovered / invented Antibiotics, DNA, Gravity, Microwave, Radar, and much more.

Just to be clear I am not being biased or big headed about the things the British have given us, I just wanted to set the record straight. I give full credit to American scientists who have given us equally important things.

I'm just not one for standing round and letting some sterotypical American go around thinking that they rule the world, they invented everything and if it wasn't for them there wouldn't be a world.


RE: What about Europe?
By creathir on 10/10/2007 6:45:21 PM , Rating: 2
I'm sorry... the first USABLE light bulb. ;)

And I should have been more clear: first modern computer (as we think of today)

Anyways, all in good fun.

Believe it or not, I am not a "sterotypical American" who goes around thinking that we rule the world, invented everything, and if it wasn't for them there wouldn't be a world.

I just grow tired of the CONSTANT US bashing when we have contributed greatly to the current world we live in.

My point still is valid on the speaking German thing by the way.

- Creathir


RE: What about Europe?
By rodrigu3 on 10/3/2007 7:06:50 PM , Rating: 1
They should put these folks in Europe in one of those cushioned insanity rooms to play their Wii because apparently, they can't do without the remote cushion. If we're so clumsy, how come you guys need it so badly? Give me a break (but not with your Wiimote please!).


RE: What about Europe?
By colonelclaw on 10/2/2007 8:31:24 AM , Rating: 5
it's actually possible that this has been launched first in north america because that's where nintendo is most afraid of being sued


RE: What about Europe?
By Schadenfroh on 10/2/2007 8:53:19 AM , Rating: 2
Ding ding ding ding ding!

We have a winner people!


RE: What about Europe?
By Exodus220 on 10/2/2007 9:06:58 AM , Rating: 5
Canada is part of North America. Geography must not have been your strongest subject in school. I would not bother listening to your advice about changing the title since you cannot even tell the difference between a continent and a country.


RE: What about Europe?
By 3kliksphilip on 10/2/2007 11:42:10 AM , Rating: 2
I think that was a reasonable question. Though this is mainly an American website. It's a bit like trying to buy Half Life 2 T-shirts in England. You have to pay something like $50 postage, which is INSANE. I'm pleased that this offer is going on, though many Wii owners are missing out. It's so expensive in England that it's almost worth going to America. You even get a load of stuff for free! (Apart from the lack of a free health system, but after seeing how people in my family have been treated I'm not sure I'd miss it.) Oh dear, I seem to have gone off topic. In general, America is where all of these things come from, so it's the first place for all of the improvements to come out as well.


RE: What about Europe?
By AstroCreep on 10/3/2007 12:34:40 PM , Rating: 2
I'm pretty sure I read elsewhere that they are doing this program in Japan too.
I'd venture to believe they'll do it in Europe as well in couple of months.


RE: What about Europe?
By sdifox on 10/4/2007 5:02:43 PM , Rating: 2
quote:
by TheNomad on October 2, 2007 at 4:51 AM
Why is this offer only North America & Canada only? I would change the title of the article from ALL Wii Users to SOME Wii Users.


Because North Americans are lawsuit happy.


How??
By Spivonious on 10/2/2007 8:40:45 AM , Rating: 2
I've had my Wii since February and I have yet to throw the remote, hit the remote on something, hit someone else with the remote, or break the original wriststrap. Am I the exception?

With that said, these jackets look pretty cool, so I may go ahead and order one anyway. I haven't checked, but can I order one for each of my remotes, or is it limited to one?




RE: How??
By Locutus465 on 10/2/2007 9:47:12 AM , Rating: 2
Looks like it's "limited" to 4 per console... Not much of a limit is it? ;)

http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/jacket/jacketrequ...


RE: How??
By snorky on 10/2/2007 10:02:24 AM , Rating: 2
Unfortunately, when you select 2, 3, or 4, you get directed to a page which says you have selected an inappropriate quantity.

since you havent entered in your WII serial number, like I have, you wouldn't know how the system works.

It lets you select 1-4 - but the only answer that works is 1


RE: How??
By Locutus465 on 10/2/2007 9:25:19 PM , Rating: 2
Try calling in, I got the same response on the web... Then I decided to call them on the phone, they're shipping me 4 jackets, no hassel (other than having to wait on hold for a little while).


RE: How??
By tjr508 on 10/4/2007 6:20:55 PM , Rating: 2
Obviously, you need to increase your liquor consumption. In college towns, those wii remotes can be as dangerous as lawn darts.