Washington, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Nintendo of America Inc., today announced a voluntary replacement program for the wrist straps used with controllers for the Wii video game system.

The CPSC says about 2 million units distributed by Nintendo of America Inc. are affected.

If consumers swing the hand-held "Wii Remote" game controllers using excessive force and accidentally let go, the cord connecting the controller to the wrist strap can break, potentially causing the controller to strike bystanders or objects.

Nintendo has received reports of cords on wrist straps breaking, including three reports of minor injuries not requiring medical attention. All of these incidents occurred when consumers were playing the game, "Wii Sports."

The wrist straps are sold with Nintendo's Wii video game system (pronounced "we"). Its controller, called the Wii Remote, is shaped like a TV remote. Sensors determine the Wii Remote's position in 3-D space, which means that a tennis swing, for example, is done through movement of a consumer’s hand rather than by just fingers and thumbs. The cords on the wrist straps included in this program are 0.6mm in diameter. The replacement cords are 1.0 mm in diameter (see photo below).

The Wii video game systems have been sold since November 19, 2006 for approximately $249. The Wii Remote has separately been sold from November 19, 2006 for approximately $39. All Wii video game systems purchased after December 11, 2006 should have the new 1.0 mm cord. All individually sold Wii Remotes purchased after December 18, 2006, should have the new 1.0 mm cord.

Consumers should contact the firm for a replacement wrist strap.

For more information, contact Nintendo toll-free at (800) 859-4519 between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. PT, or visit their Web site at www.support.nintendo.com.

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