"Wii Elbow" Sidelines Gamers

File this one under the "Are You Kidding Me?" file.  According to reports from various gaming sites and general publications, cases of injuries stemming from the physical exercise associated with using the Nintendo Wii's motion sensor controller are surfacing, causing some couch-potato chagrin.

The Nintendo Wii launched on Sunday, November 19th across North America.  In the week since, 600,000 units have sold, making it one of the more successful launches in recent console history.

The source on this one is the Wall Street Journal, who report that a twelve year old boy from Kentucky experienced significant muscle pains after using the Wii.  In addition, a computer programmer from the great state of Minnesota complained of "sore shoulders", while a man in Indiana told the newspaper that he was left miserably soaked in sweat after a marathon session of Wii's boxing title.

As a very active techie, this writer is left wondering "what's the problem?"  Most people strain for hours running, cycling, and lifting weights to break a quality sweat (and thus, burning calories).  How much more fun is it to do so while smacking around a virtual combatant? 

Nintendo's marketing department has responded by stating that the console "was not meant to be a Jenny Craig supplement".  Well, it sure can't hurt.

12 comments
Posted by Marty on June 12,2007 at 10:15 PM

today a wii remote ripped out my earing.

I am suing. I now have a massive hole in my ear.

I support Nintendo, but how else am i supposed to pay for the doctors bills to get my ear stitched up?

Posted by mattys on December 19,2006 at 4:06 PM
Well....nobody wins. Class action lawsuit has been filled on a week nobody picked :)
http://www.classcounsel.com/news/nintendo.html
Posted by Executable456 on December 15,2006 at 8:51 PM
You losers at Gizmo.

People try whatever, I mean WHATEVER is possible to bring down something that looks out to families and worldwide gamers. It's absoultley childish. I'd go to court myself if it was neccesary. I want to set up a debate for this. Email me.

nicg47@gmail.com
Posted by Brando on December 14,2006 at 10:33 AM
You're all right, there's little on the Wii that really makes you swing about enough to cause some serious health or property damage.  However, after playing a little Wii Sports boxing with a friend, it's actually not so far-fetched that someone could get hurt playing that game in particular.  If the two of us weren't the Sugar Ray Leonards we are, it could have meant a nasty spill or facial wound.

However, in most cases, if you are wielding the Wiimote like a devastating katana (or any other melee-based weapon), you're probably not doing too good at the game you're playing.  Most of the Wii Sports titles and games like Red Steel and Madden 07 require little more than wrist action, which means you're not likely to have the Wiimote bashing through living room windows.  Well, at least you shouldn't be.

But, does that come at the cost of the hyped-up gameplay and uninformed reports that this thing can provide a nice workout?  Maybe a few injuries would be worthwhile if it burned a few calories.  No pain, no game.
Posted by supporter of the wii on December 8,2006 at 11:40 AM
My point of view on this situation is people should not be so stupid when playing the Wii. They do not need to swing the remote as hard as they do to get the results. I saw the guy that cut his on glass from a lamp because his hand hit glass. In this case he is just plain stupid for not being aware of his own surroundings. For the people that can't hold on to there remotes well thats your fault. The most important this is for people to stop swingthe remote so hard. The remote wont react any faster. Read this (from nintendo) http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/wiisafety.jsp check the site for additional info

"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. "
Posted by Rayn on November 29,2006 at 5:23 PM
Hah!  Well, I stand corrected on sensitivity adjustment.  I am not a Wii fan btw so I'm not totally up to speed on what you can do with it.  I'm just thinking back to my own childhood and thinking I'm invincible and how excited I get over video games :)  Hell, I think I fell off my chair playing tetris before.  Maybe I'm just a little more active than the normal gamer ;)  I just know that if I got a Wii I'd be in an emergency room within a week and I've seen many kids play the same way I do ;)  I however would never sue a company over my own idiocy like so many American's seem to do.  I think the Wii would be fun for a house party with friends but for constant gaming I want something I can minimize movement so I can focus better without risk of personal injury ;)
Posted by mattys on November 29,2006 at 10:43 AM
So we've got:
mattys:                 Dec31-Jan6
matty - Perth WA:  Dec3-9 (I say you get the entire week but extra Kudos if you hit your actual date!)

Rayn:...it sounds like you are building a fine case! Put your money where your mouth is and pick a week :D
Posted by Matt - Perth WA on November 28,2006 at 11:48 PM
This is nuts. Rayn, you've obviously read nothing about the Wii judging by your comment!! It has ADJUSTABLE sensitivity on the remote, so whether you want to slightly swing the remote, or you want to swing it around like a maniac, it will all do the same thing. People hurting themselves from a bit of physical activity should be dragging their butts outside and getting some exercise anyway!!! Anyone who thinks they've got a legitimate reason to sue Nintendo for injuries caused while playing the Wii are dreaming.
Roll on December 7th!!
Posted by Rayn on November 28,2006 at 9:54 PM
Because of the element of activity involved with the Wii I won't be getting one.  Its one thing to need exercise, which I go to the gym for in 1 hour to 2 hour stretches, but when it comes to gaming I like to be comfortably sitting down unless its something like Guitar Hero or DDR or something.  I already suffer from a bad back I've had from sporting injuries, carpal tunnal and migraines.  Does the Wii even offer an option with the controller that doesn't include jumping and slashing and moving?  If I had a Wii I don't know how I'd survive what can be a typical 8 hour gaming stretch with friends or when I have nothing better to do.  One of the problems I see with the controller over say boxing with a punching bag is that there isn't something to stop your arm so I see a ton of over-extension injuries coming out because of this.  I remember the old virtual reality boxing game from like 96 in one of those big pods and I did throw out my elbow because I didn't know how far I had to extend or dodge or what not to actually hit the opponent.
Posted by Jaser on November 28,2006 at 9:32 PM
The Wii may finally make fat Americans get back into shape. Its fun and a nice activity. It shows how people are out of shape if they get tired this fast or something. With this news, I plan to get the Wii to loose some pounds (even though I and normal and in shape).
Posted by Churchie on November 28,2006 at 5:43 PM
I think you're right there.  The Wii shouldn't cause any major problems though.  I heard that there was a disclaimer in the startup screen, so I don't think that people will get away with too much.
Posted by mattys on November 28,2006 at 9:46 AM
Awesome! Place your bets on the first first Wii Lawsuit over a Wii Injury (or heart attack).

I'd place my money on the week after Christmas (dec 31-jan 6). I figure most of the people that have the Wii right now are fanboys and are less likely to sue. I assume a ton of people will get a Wii for Christmas who are a little less loyal. After that it won't take long for someone to see $$. Now I would take the week of Christmas but I assume that would be a tough week to announce a legal case.

hmmm Class Action Suit!!!