The straps for Nintendo's Wii remote, it turns out, really are breaking when they shouldn't be.

After issuing a general "calm down" to its customers a week ago, Nintendo Co. has responded by quietly beefing up the controller's fabric wrist strap, spokeswoman Beth Llewelyn said.

And while most executives would cringe if their flagship product suddenly became associated with shattered electronics and the occasional flesh wound, some observers say the lighthearted buzz could deliver a perfect shot of viral marketing.

Yes, that's the best kind of viral marketing, the kind that breaks $3,000 televisions.

While I applaud Nintendo replacing the crappy security straps for newer versions of the Wii. I think it would be nice if they either issues a general recall for the straps or at least offered to send out replacements to those who want them, ala the DS Lite hinge crack.

Remember that? It was another design flaw that people, fans and Nintendo alike, tried to deny for weeks.

OK, I'm done ranting. Back to Elebits. Brian Crecente

Wii mishaps lead to busted TVs, injuries [AP]

Maybe this has been up since launch day, I'm not really sure, but a reader just sent us a link to Nintendo's safety information page for the Wii which prominently discusses the issue of flying Wii Remotes.

I think this is the first Safety Manual for anything that cautions you about having "too much fun."

Hold the Wii Remote firmly and do not let go. Even while wearing the wrist strap, make sure you don't let go of the Wii Remote during game play and do not use excessive motion. For example, in Wii Sports bowling, the proper way to let go of the ball while bowling is to release the "B" button on the Wii Remote—DO NOT LET GO OF THE Wii REMOTE ITSELF. If you are having so much fun that you start perspiring, take a moment to dry your hands. If you use excessive motion and let go of the Wii Remote, the wrist strap may break and you could lose control of the Wii Remote. This could injure people nearby or cause damage to other objects.

Yes, yes it could. I'm still not letting any kids anywhere near my Wii until I fix it up with some zip ties. Brian Crecente

Wii Safety Precautions [Nintendo, thanks Richard]

Well no, actually it was the spazzy, sweaty-palmed gamer who blow out the window in his house, but the Wii Remote was definitly the tool of glass annihilation.

The gamer, like many before him, says he was just playing when the remote zipped out of his hand and, heedless of the flimsy strap, continued across the room and through the window. Brian Crecente

I Broke My Window! [Nintendo Forums]

Granted, this sweaty-palmed guy shouldn't be swinging the remote quite so hard, but hell it's just a sign of how immersive the games for the Wii are. One more time, for the record: Nintendo, fix your remote straps. Brian Crecente