backtop

Print 49 comment(s) - last by creathir.. on Oct 10 at 6:45 PM

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.

Comments     Threshold


This article is over a month old, voting and posting comments is disabled
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.


Silicone, not Silicon
By TomZ on 10/2/2007 8:55:40 AM , Rating: 3
I'm guessing the material is silicone, not silicon. Very different materials there.




RE: Silicone, not Silicon
By kileil on 10/2/2007 5:26:03 PM , Rating: 5
My girlfriend's crunchy, dry, bosom is proof of what one missed vowel can do.


RE: Silicone, not Silicon
By SilthDraeth on 10/3/2007 10:41:47 AM , Rating: 2
Give this guy a 6 rating!


Nintendo - What are you thinking?
By snorky on 10/2/2007 9:14:12 AM , Rating: 2
Just got off the site - I have 3 Wiimotes - but it would
only let me order one sleave.

Here is my problem - supplying a safety device is a admission that something is wrong. By not giving one for
each wiimote - they have effectively admitted that 2/3 of the controllers in my house are dangerous.

Anyone know a good class action lawyer - lol




RE: Nintendo - What are you thinking?
By MatthewAC on 10/2/2007 9:28:35 AM , Rating: 2
Just call in Nintendo's customer service[1-800-255-3700, I know that by heart, sad, I know >_>].

They'll do anything, repair/replace your DS 6 times[me], repair your Wii, even favors....


RE: Nintendo - What are you thinking?
By MatthewAC on 10/2/2007 9:31:41 AM , Rating: 2
Also, to the op you can order multiples, http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/jacket/jacketrequ... .
The dropdown has options 1-4.


RE: Nintendo - What are you thinking?
By snorky on 10/2/2007 10:05:36 AM , Rating: 2
Doesnt work - any answer other than 1 is rejected when you place the order


By MatthewAC on 10/2/2007 11:21:27 AM , Rating: 2
Well if you already ordered it'll probably reject it, I'm gonna try ordering extras incase I buy more controllers in the future, right now I can't get my serial number because my wii's being repaired.


Thankyou Nintendo
By Mitch101 on 10/2/2007 9:33:22 AM , Rating: 2
Thankyou Nintendo.

However the only downside is if you have a charging cradle then they wont fit with the sleeve on. No biggie.




RE: Thankyou Nintendo
By bunnyfubbles on 10/2/2007 6:06:34 PM , Rating: 2
Well Nintendo doesn't offer a first party charging cradle...although I think they should.

Doesn't matter to me though, because I use a 15 minute charger for my NiMH batts, I doubt there's a 3rd party charging dock that can can come close to that kind of recharge time, let alone match or beat it.


RE: Thankyou Nintendo
By Locutus465 on 10/2/2007 9:27:50 PM , Rating: 2
Correct, there isn't.... But the nyko cradle is sharp looking with 4 controllers sitting up and very convinient... I use that rather than the 15 min rechargable batteries... And because the controller sit on the cradle I'm not too worried about having to stop the game for even 15 minutes to charge up a battery.


RE: Thankyou Nintendo
By SilthDraeth on 10/3/2007 10:44:36 AM , Rating: 2
This is only addressing the end. Most people with rechargeable batteries have one set charged, and ready to swap. I swap my batteries out when I get done playing after a few days, and recharge them.

But you are right the Nyko cradle is pretty sharp looking. I have thought about getting it.


For EU Owners...
By Xavian on 10/2/2007 9:24:41 AM , Rating: 5
Heres the link to the form, to request these jackets:

German Version:
http://wii.nintendo.de/22794.html

Italian Version:
http://wii.nintendo.it/22809.html

UK Version:
http://wiiportal.nintendo-europe.com/22690.html




RE: For EU Owners...
By Xavian on 10/2/2007 9:26:45 AM , Rating: 2
For all others go here:
http://wiiportal.nintendo-europe.com/

and click your country, then click the article about the jackets to request one.


im gonna guess
By meepstone on 10/2/2007 5:23:29 AM , Rating: 2
im guessing they have more consumer base in NA than EU. :/




RE: im gonna guess
By Rotkiv on 10/2/2007 8:32:14 AM , Rating: 3
Nah, its because the Americans are more likely to sue Nintendo than the Europeans ;-)


Killer...
By Locutus465 on 10/2/2007 9:40:44 AM , Rating: 2
I'm not sure if I feel like the jacket is needed, and to be totally honest I'm not sure if I'll use it or not (I use the niko charger so...) But hey, I'm going to pick up 4 of these anyway!




RE: Killer...
By Souka on 10/2/2007 11:43:47 AM , Rating: 2
Playing 4 player games can get dangerous in a small room....rubber ends can be a good thing....


Wow
By Polynikes on 10/2/2007 11:47:21 AM , Rating: 2
I don't see this an admission that there's anything wrong with their product, I simply see it as a means to prevent Nintendo's truly retarded customers from breaking their Wiimotes. I've played my fair share of bowling and tennis and I can't possibly understand how someone could let go while playing. They're probably the same idiots who let go of real sporting equipment. In other words, they're really clumsy.

This is a nice gesture by Nintendo to offer these for free, considering they already "fixed" the wrist straps.




RE: Wow
By deeznuts on 10/2/2007 1:02:05 PM , Rating: 2
It's a response to the Southwest Airlines commercial where the dude's buddy throws the controller into the plasma, I swear it

http://teenagegraffiti.blogspot.com/2007/09/wii-co...

I think Nintendo's actually made two revisions to the straps, no? I swore I saw a second one, but that didn't get as much publicity.


Not only...
By JeffDM on 10/2/2007 10:04:55 PM , Rating: 2
Not only does my Wii have a strap-on, it will include a condom too?




RE: Not only...
By AlphaVirus on 10/3/2007 12:43:16 PM , Rating: 2
I would not recommend you swinging THIS item at your spouse.

"Baby check out this new toy I got!"


How does it work?
By NoSoftwarePatents on 10/2/2007 5:06:26 PM , Rating: 3
I was looking forward to seeing how to wear a jacket with a Wii logo, remotely...




Thanks Marcus!
By clovell on 10/2/2007 11:25:26 AM , Rating: 2
I'll order mine when I get home - thanks for covering this, Marcus! Kinda weird - Nintendo usually e-mails me about stuff like this, but I haven't recieved anything...




Got 4
By Ren01 on 10/2/2007 4:41:55 PM , Rating: 2
I just called the number, and after confirming quantity and address they promptly gave me a shipping number.




Ordered Mine
By mixpix on 10/2/2007 7:20:08 PM , Rating: 2
I have yet to throw the a remote yet. I have tried to put it down and walk away and then notice I still have the strap on. haha

I wonder if this was the "September Surprise"...




Why not
By Shadowmaster625 on 10/3/2007 2:51:52 PM , Rating: 2
Why not just make the thing rubbery to begin with?




So funny
By Adonlude on 10/3/2007 4:15:56 PM , Rating: 2
Ok I am so totally amused by this! Haahahhaha. This is just too funny. How about a transparent gummy covering for my TV so I dont accidentally torpedo my screen trying to throw a Wii strike.




"Intel is investing heavily (think gazillions of dollars and bazillions of engineering man hours) in resources to create an Intel host controllers spec in order to speed time to market of the USB 3.0 technology." -- Intel blogger Nick Knupffer











botimage
Copyright 2012 DailyTech LLC. - RSS Feed | Advertise | About Us | Ethics | FAQ | Terms, Conditions & Privacy Information | Kristopher Kubicki