Have the replacements been replaced?

by Alisha Karabinus { Jan 22nd 2007 at 4:45PM }

Well, either demand for replacement wrist straps was higher than Nintendo anticipated, or they just decided the new console and everything that goes with it was just too pretty. Whatever the reason, some gamers are crying foul because their replacement wrist straps are arriving, and they're not quite what was expected.

In a word, they're ugly. At least, that seems to be the general consensus thus far. But whatever your opinion on the aesthetic qualities of the new new wrist straps, they're certainly different from what we've seen before. But perhaps there is a method to the madness. It's been reported that the new end pieces are rubber instead of plastic. Perhaps the were concerned about a new bevy of Wii-based injuries now that the breakage issue has been addressed. Have cries of "you'll Wii your eye out!" been averted? Either way, reports vary; some folks have the new, rubberized version, and some folks have the sleeker, Nintendo-fied replacements. So long as they work, we're mostly happy. How about you?

Tags: Nintendo, replacement, Wii, Wiimote, wrist strap, WristStrap

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Naruhodou @ Jan 22nd 2007 5:03PM

I just got the new ones in the mail. I don't mind the look, but they don't really tighten as well as the Nintendo-labeled strap. As long as it doesn't snap, I guess.

Steve @ Jan 22nd 2007 5:12PM

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Shaun @ Jan 23rd 2007 7:38AM

Question: I just got a Wii yesterday, do I need to replace the strap?

John M. @ Jan 22nd 2007 5:44PM

I got my wrist straps but mine look liek the original just thicker like they should be you guys all just got jipped here are some pictures of my straps in comparison.
http://jmvids.googlepages.com/Picture004.JPG
http://jmvids.googlepages.com/Picture002.jpg

Naruhodou @ Jan 22nd 2007 6:25PM

I wouldn't say "jipped"..The chord is definitely thicker. It just substitutes the cool Wii-shaped end with a piece of rubber.

amiga_tone @ Jan 22nd 2007 6:00PM

According to Nintendo of Oz the replacement straps are identical aside from the thicker connector thingy:

http://wiisystem.nintendo.com.au/strap_replacement

I haven't had problems with mine as yet so I'm not concerned with replacing them, my DS Lite however uses a DS Phat wrist strap (cause the DS lite strap does not have the thumb guard) which has the core plastic strap exposes near the DS loop connection.

christopher @ Jan 22nd 2007 6:29PM

I just received a replacement remote from nintendo* because the motion sensor inside was stuck. it had the thicker wrist strap but, otherwise, it still looked like the old style.

*I thought it worth mentioning that this was the best support experience i had with any company ever. They were very nice on the phone (sat) and shipped it out 2-day air on the next business day (mon) even though it was a national holiday. They even waived shipping so none of it cost me a dime!

John M. @ Jan 22nd 2007 7:12PM

No I would go with "jipped" the supply was to great so they got them out faster with a demand so high and just popped on a cheap head. I must be really lucky to get a expensive version.

thebigL @ Jan 22nd 2007 7:17PM

Wrist Straps are for Pussies thats all I have to say

derfreddy.de @ Jan 22nd 2007 7:34PM

thank u L
its funny to read about cheap and expensive wriststraps though

Naruhodou @ Jan 22nd 2007 8:45PM

Holy hell.

Trainwrecka @ Jan 23rd 2007 8:25AM

wrist straps bother me ... warioware sucks with a strap. oh well... i still do it.

Brian @ Jan 22nd 2007 9:35PM

i think anyone crying over a different looking strap just needs to stfu and gtfo (lol) its free what else do you want for free? its not nintendo's fault that people can't use their wii's responsibly

Dave @ Jan 22nd 2007 10:45PM

Straps are for girly men.

But I think Nintendo made a mistake when they offered everyone 4 free straps. I can't name a single person who hasn't requested less than 4 free straps, regardless of how many were needed. Oh well.

Wickedneoq @ Jan 22nd 2007 11:23PM

In all honesty, I ordered only 2 straps. *send messages of laughter to the MyGamerCard.net forums, if you wish* I got the earlier ones, the ones that actually say Nintendo on them, but I find that none of the straps really stay tight. There's always some moment that you need to re-tighten the strap. Why couldn't they have made it like a watch-strap or belt?

To properly agree with (12) above, straps ARE for girly men. I've never let go of the Wiimote during gameplay, so there's no chance that I should ever need to overuse the straps, or even break one, if I'm not really using it. They get in the way more than they are helpful. Yes, I've seen the videos of people tossing them around, bouncing them off expensive objects of affection, but should hold onto those controllers better.

Fish @ Jan 23rd 2007 12:18AM

I can't help but notice that this person ordered Four.

I was almost as tempted when placing my order... my first glance I was like "FREE WRIST STRAPS. WOOO" Then I remembered out there somewhere someone else needed one... needed it a lot more than I needed four. I'm betting a bunch of people with one wiimote ordered four... just because they could, and because they're free.

Yay for abusing generosity. God Bless America.

New Wii Owner (formerly New 360 Owner) @ Jan 23rd 2007 2:38AM

I think the ones with the rounded ends are only temporary replacements that Nintendo rushed to replace the early ones. I just got my Wii it has the square ended strap but the threads holding it to the controller are the thicker ones.

Naro @ Jan 26th 2007 6:51PM

I got my replacements and they look like the originals... that is like a joke or something!

bap290 @ Jan 23rd 2007 7:33AM

I don't use the wrist straps. I think it just gets in the way.

Sketch @ Jan 23rd 2007 7:43AM

No, you don't.

I got my replacements on the 26th of December, then II got an e-mail a day later saying my replacements shipped...soon enough, I got two more straps in the mail, I didn't order any more though. .-.

Meg @ Jan 23rd 2007 4:32PM

I got my replacements earlier this week, and they are exactally the same as the old ones only with the thicker cord.

Mabui @ Jan 23rd 2007 8:09PM

I sent out for mine shortly after I heard about it. I was wishy washy on the whole idea at first but I figured I was better safe than sorry. Seems lucky now though, that I managed to get the good (Looking) straps.

Maybe somebody should test out the durability of both to see if one prevails over the other!