Wii Disaster Watch: 11/21/06 Edition

This occasionally recurring feature details the potential mishaps, accidents, slip-ups, and emergency room incidents that may occur at the hands of a video game controller that you swing around in your hand.

I had a conversation with some other reporters at a bar a few days ago concerning Nintendo's new console, the Wii. It was an amusing, lengthy, and oft-tangential conversation, as chats in bars often are. But here's the gist of it: People are going to get hurt from this Wii phenomenon. Knowing gamers' proclivity for getting thoroughly absorbed in the art of playing, what's going to happen now that the "Wiimote" is around?

Well, we're here to tell you.

Yesterday, gaming blog Joystiq posted about a guy whose Wiimote wrist strap broke and smashed in his TV screen. A second TV-smashing horror story, this one from a 7-year-old girl playing Wii Sports' bowling game, showed up on Engadget. And then someone on the Cheap Ass Gamer forum posted some pictures of a Wii-destroyed laptop screen. That's three instances, and as any journalist can tell you, three's not just a pattern, it's a freaking trend.

But this isn't enough. We want to see some minor bodily injuries! So if you've got more Wii disaster tales to alert us to, fill us in. Bonus points to the first person who can direct us to a YouTube video of a two-player Wii match in which one player accidentally smacks the other in the face.

Get ready to pass the popcorn!

[rfelgueiras]

People need to be careful

I played all day yesterday and aside from hitting my friend in the shoulder with a
solid forehand shot, it was harmless. It tells you to attach the strap at the
beginning of every game, so it's up to you if you don't want to listen.

[whidbeyben]

Get a Work Out!

My 13 year old and I boxed 3 rounds in Wii Sports, and although nothing was
smashed, every muscle in my arms and shoulders are feeling the pain. We were
sweating like mad. What a leap forward in the gaming experience.

[Yasha I]

Coment on Workout:

You must need to get out a lot more or at least spend some time in the gym if 3 rounds in a video game can make your arms sore, or at least in pain

[wiilikeit]

Wii Remote Mishap!

While I do not yet have a Wii, I had a potentially disastrous event occur. I went over to my friend's house to play his (he had only had it for 11 hours). We were playing Wii sports (bowling) and it was my turn. Well, I just had to give it that extra oomph and the Wii remote flew out of my hand, broke the wrist strap, struck the ceiling (leaving two chips in the paint), barely missed his month old 56" 1080p HDTV screen, flew into the bathroom and broke the ceramic tissue cover. We put the batteries back in and it worked like a charm. Amazingly, the remote just had a few scratches and a broken wrist strap. I was glad I only had to buy him a new wii remote and not replace his HDTV! Be careful out there!

[elleon713]

Slow news day?

is this the best you can do? Wii-motes flying out of people's hand? be serious.

[non4me]

Wow Butterfingers

Well I wasn't suprised when i heard about it but it was bound to happen and maybe grip the controller at all times and try not to swing it around your arms like some people do with their cellphones.

[spazzyjazzy]

This article is pathetic

what have you become cnet?

[call911matty]

Omfg ?????

If you swinf the wii remote out o your hand while playing i hope it bounces back and smacks you in to the face cause you would have to be a total F^ retard to swing it that hard!

[Casseroleus]

Warning! Don't write drunk.

Two points.
Is this a real article, or a negative ad from either the xbox360 or ps3 people?
Is this really what passes for journalism on CNet these days? I believe this is a summary of the 'article' : I was at a bar and we slurred out some jokes about kids playing with the new wii, and how they could knock stuff over. Then I found a couple of rumors in the internet that supported my alcohol induced argument. Please send my pulitzer to my editor.
Wow, Great stuff. Should I expect the same quality and bias in the editor's choice awards? I find I trust them less after this lead story on the CNet site.
ps. I was just visiting CNet to get review for digital cameras and camcorders.

[ancadre]

This is totally pointless

CNET shouldn't get the Wii involved in this at all, they have nothing to do with people's clumsiness.

Its like saying car manufacturers are causing auto deaths. They have nothing to do with it, if only the actual users were more careful.

[heijutsu]

Anybody else notice the XBOX 360 ad?

Funny how there is an XBOX 360 advertisement on an article slamming the Wii. Unfortunately I think C/net has jumped the shark and can no longer be counted on to report any information of significance, They are now simply ****** who will clearly push their advertisers product and agendas. Guess I can go ahead and delete this bookmark.

[scatteredshadows]

Oh please...

Let me get this straight, a plastic controller can bring sufficient force to shatter a television screen? Much less a SMALL television screen, which is going to be more impact resitant than a large one. I call BS on this. The scond citation is slightly more believable, but not much. A 7 year old has enough strength to ACCIDENTALLY generate that kind of force while engaging in the kind of motion called for in a bowling game? I'd say it's more likely that, if the WII controller were even responsible, that the strap wasn't fitted properly or that the kid, or someone else, THREW the controller. And what evidence is there to prove that the smashed laptop was broken by a WII controller? This "article" is a crock...

[marty83687]

"Oh please..."

THis same thing happened to me tonight. While bowling, the strap broke and the controller hit my 32" LCD TV. This was witnessed by 6 people! Now if you know anything about LCDs you know they are sensitive and though there is only a small spot you can feel on the screen where it hit, half the screen is thrashed! Still don't believe me? I will sell you this TV for only the cost of shipping.

[eighthsquare]

You guys are way too serious

I think that this is simply an article to make you laugh at clumsy people. You obviously recognized the ridiculousness of the article or we wouldn?t all be here. Ease up a bit here people. The Wii is an exciting product because it is so different. I think that Cnet was just poking a little fun at it. Besides some of the instances were reported on different sites, did you go rant on those as well? While it may not be realistic for a 7 yr old to be able to smash a TV with a Wii controller it is a funny mental visual. I think that you guys are still grouchy from not getting a PS3 to flip on Ebay. Get some rest and have a happy Thanksgiving.

-The Eighth Square

[AlanHub]

Editor-Remember to use the bathroom

I have respect for CNET and i think that the article was a joke, but if it wasnt...:
Please if you need to use the bathroom and do your business, do not leave your
business in your pants and then write the story with a stone next to your buttox.
Use the bathroom first, then you will feel more comfortable. If you feel more
comfortable maybe you can write a better story. But just remember don't be
distracted when you want to make the readers happy...because you wont make
us happy.

[earlycuyler]

are you freakin kidding me?????

I played the Wii for about 24 hours after the midnight release and it warns you before playing the games and during games to wear the wrist strap (it's actually kinda annoying at times). I have no sympathy for these people. I can only hope people like this don't go after Nintendo for their own stupidity.

[make_or_break]

Did you even READ the article?

While there's no one else to blame for the broken laptop but the owner himself, the wrist strap--in at least two of the cases--reportedly [i]broke[/i]. The Engadget article even has a JPG showing the broken strap in its reported incident. So if the strap breaks, you'd still lump these two in with the bozo who smashed is laptop LCD?

[Raithah]

Yeah, but surely ...

... they've never talked about the Xbox falling down, and killing small dogs and other cherished pets.

I declare this a conspiracy from Cnet, to start a boycott of Nintendo. We must resist !

[genotypewriter]

"We want to see some minor bodily injuries!"

This statement proves that CNET is made up of losers with no sense of humour. A person with a soul won't joke about wanting to see bodily injuries even on an insect if that insect's minding its own business.

Sure, it's disgusting to see how fanboys go at eachother but anyone who wishes to see worse things happening in an already unfortunate situation are simply satanic.

I've been disgusted with CNET's presentation and technical quality but this post of theirs is the last straw.

[daddosplat]

Thats wii for you kung fu nun chucks!

People watch funniest home videos why? because people do dumb crap usually end up injured and most people laugh try not to be such a cyborg if you really care head on over to africa and start your philanthropic journey. Good luck with that! War nun chuck to the head let the wii battles begin. And remember LOL lifes to short to defend everything nintendo and hate everyone else!

[daddosplat]

Its meant to be funny LOL!

Of course seeing some dude nun-chuck his mom in the chops Priceless! Damn if you do no NINTENDO for a week! Of course that all depends on how much Dad loves Mom. Um good job son way to put a beat down on your mom. Just kidding in no way do I support the hitting on any one especially your MOM. So be careful lets see oh ya I think I already see a few wii beat downs on YOUTUBE you peeps are sick.

[daddosplat]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=t8KfdYgE1Uc

http://youtube.com/watch?v=t8KfdYgE1Uc
not funny!!!!