Nintendo Recalls Wii Straps, DS Adapters

By Geoff Duncan Published December 15, 2006

Responding to complaints from consumers who have damaged televisions and other personal property when the motion-sensing remote on their new Wii video game console flew across the room and, well, broke something, Nintendo has announced it will voluntarily exchange some 3.2 million wrist straps shipped with its Wii video game console systems.

According to Nintendo, versions of the Wii consoles shipped beginning in early December already have the newer, stronger version of the remote strap, so Wii owners will need to determine which version of the strap they have before applying for a replacement. Unfortunately, the difference between the straps is the thickness of the cord which loops into the Wii remote itself: unless you have both versions to compare, it might be difficult for some users to figure out which version they have. The exchange program is straightforward: Nintendo will simply ship a new strap to Wii owners, without requiring return of the old one.

Nintendo also announced it is recalling some 200,000 AC power adapters shipped with Nintendo DS and DS Lite handheld gaming systems because they may in rare cases overheat and pose a risk of burns or property damage. So far, the power adapter recall is limited to Japan, and Nintendo says the power adapter recall does not apply to Nintendo DS or DS Lite systems shipped overseas or to the U.S. market.

The Wii strap replacement and power adapter recalls are expected to cost Nintendo several hundred million yen (one hundred million yen is approximately $850,000 USD) but not enough to have a significant impact on the companies earnings.

Topics

Nintendo

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Gaming

The biggest gaming news of 2023: Insomniac leak, GTA 6 reveal, and more

Lucia and her partner rob a store in GTA 6.

2023 was a roller coaster for the video games industry. On the software side, it was a historic year for new releases. We got everything from big success stories like Baldur's Gate 3 and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to memorable indies in Venba and Chants of Sennaar. But from the business side, 2023 was a lot more tumultuous. While some notable studio acquisitions and game announcements happened, thousands of developers were laid off, entire studios were shut down or hacked, and the provider of one of the most popular game engines landed in hot water after trying to roll out a controversial change.

The most notable gaming news stories of 2023 run the gamut from genuinely exciting to thoroughly disappointed. That speaks to a video game industry bound to head into an odd 2024 that lacks the known quantity bombshells of this year and continues to reel from layoffs. In last year's iteration of this article, my editor said that the 2020s are shaping up to be "the most pivotal decade in gaming history when all is said and done." If this year is anything to go by, that will almost certainly be true. These were the gaming stories that defined 2023, for better and much worse.
The Wii U and 3DS eShops shut down

Gaming

Which Nintendo Switch should you buy this Black Friday?

How to Preorder the Nintendo Switch OLED.

Believe it or not, the Nintendo Switch is almost seven years old already. While a brand new Nintendo console may be right around the corner, Nintendo isn't pulling support on its system in 2024. We already know we're getting games like Princess Peach: Showtime! and Mario vs. Donkey Kong alongside HD re-releases of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon. So if you don't own a Switch already, it's still a good time to jump in.

Of course, Black Friday is the perfect moment to buy a new console. This year's sales event brings some brand new deals on Nintendo's hybrid system thanks to some strong bundles. There are several options to choose from over three different Switch models. So, which of the Nintendo Switch Black Friday deals should you buy?
Original, OLED, or Lite?
The Nintendo Switch breaks down into three models. There's the standard Switch that usually retails for $300, an OLED model that comes with a significantly improved screen for $50 more, and a Lite model that's only $200 but can't be hooked up to a TV. Nintendo hasn't cut the prices on any of those, but it has dropped some of them into bundles that will potentially save you some money in the long run.

Gaming

Play these 3DS and Wii U games before Nintendo shutters their online features

Captain Falcon in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.

In April 2024, Nintendo will discontinue online services across its Wii U and 3DS consoles. While the eShops for both systems were shut down in March 2023, this will remove the online functionality of many apps and games, making gaming on either of these platforms an almost entirely offline experience. As a result, many games on those systems will lose important features and never be quite the same to play afterward. So, you'll need to get some gaming time in by next April if you want to refresh and preserve the memories of playing online on these two underdog Nintendo platforms.
While the aforementioned eShop closures make it impossible to buy new games digitally, plenty of games that you likely already own physical copies of or already had downloaded have online features that won't work properly come April 2024. As such, we recommend you play the following games online before the discontinuation of those services next year.
Kid Icarus Uprising

Kid Icarus Uprising is mostly remembered for its entertaining story, charismatic characters, and odd controls, but it also features a surprisingly fun multiplayer experience in Together Mode. In multiplayer, up to six players can use powerful weapons and abilities from the main adventure in one of two modes. Free-for-all lets players loose on a map, tasking them with racking up the most kills within a set time limit. Light vs. Dark is more complex, as two teams of three face off until enough players are defeated that one respawns as an angel; when that powered-up angel is killed, the match is over.
While far from balanced, Kid Icarus Uprising's Together Mode is one of the most entertaining competitive multiplayer experiences exclusive to 3DS. It can be played locally, using bots to fill in empty spots, so thankfully it won't stop working entirely. Still, it's not easy in 2023 to come across multiple people near you who have copies of Kid Icarus Uprising and want to play. As such, check out this cult classic 3DS game's hidden gem of a mode before praying that the rumors of a remaster eventually become true.
Nintendo Badge Arcade