Nintendo Announces Wii Remote Jacket
Sadly, I don't have a picture of this product, so let's just assume that it looks somewhat akin to an Eskimo parka in order to attain maximum comedic effect, shall we? Honestly, can you think of a more adorable/humorous image than a Wiimote with an Eskimo parka on? I didn't think so.
Nintendo has announced the upcoming launch of the Wii Remote Jacket, which sounds like it's going to be the equivalent of an iSkin rubber cover for the Wiimote. Looking at the press release, the reasoning for this product becomes apparent in the following paragraph:
The Wii Remote Jacket provides cushioning for the Wii Remote for people who might accidentally throw or drop their Wii Remotes while playing games....
Nintendo recommends players use the new Wii Remote Jacket as a cushiony shield, though the current Wii Remote is a safe product when used properly.
Uh... huh. So, upgrading the safety straps wasn't enough, eh? Apparently people are still being too aggressive with the damn controls and are using them to destroy high-end electronics and/or their siblings' faces. You know, Nintendo, I have to disagree with this latest move. I mean, seriously? I was kind of hoping to read about a Wiimote's involvement in next year's Darwin Award.
[via Destructoid]
Hit the jump to read the official press release.
NINTENDO ANNOUNCES NEW WII REMOTE JACKET ACCESSORY
Free Accessory Enhances Grip, Adds Cushioning
REDMOND, Wash., Oct. 1, 2007 – Nintendo announces the Wii Remote Jacket, a durable, silicone cover for the Wii Remote™ that provides a variety of benefits for the player. Nintendo will include the Wii Remote Jacket with all Wii™ hardware systems and with all Wii Remotes sold separately or packaged with Wii Play™. Hardware featuring the Wii Remote Jacket will begin shipping to retailers on Oct. 2 and is expected to be on retail shelves the week of Oct. 15.
The Wii Remote Jacket provides cushioning for the Wii Remote for people who might accidentally throw or drop their Wii Remotes while playing games. Use of the Wii Remote Jacket is meant to supplement, not replace, the basic game-play instructions: keep a firm grip, don't let go of the controller, use the wrist strap and make sure your play area is free of people or objects. The Wii Remote Jacket also serves as a cover for the Wii Remote. Nintendo recommends players use the new Wii Remote Jacket as a cushiony shield, though the current Wii Remote is a safe product when used properly.
"We're always looking for ways to improve our products and make sure everyone has a safe and fun experience," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "Many electronics manufacturers provide similar protective covers for products like cell phones, PDAs and MP3 players."
Current Wii owners who want to equip their Wii Remotes with the new Wii Remote Jacket free of charge can go to Wii.com or nintendo.com, or call 1-866-431-8367 to place an order. Nintendo will begin taking orders on Oct. 2, and Wii Remote Jackets will begin shipping the week of Oct. 15.
The Wii Remote Jacket is designed to be added and removed easily, in case users want to slip their Wii Remote into an accessory like the upcoming Wii Zapper™.
Boy of Tomorrow
Posted to Miscellany on 1 October 2007
· Comments (4)
Other stuff like this: darwin award, evolution, iskin, nintendo, stupid customers?, wii, wii remote jacket, wiimote
man, that picture is way too misleading. I thought it was a brand new peripheral, not a sweaty hand fix. Way to misrepresent :(
You can order yours here:
http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/jacket/jacketrequest.jsp
(Requires your Wii serial number)
im stoaked, though from the pictures theyve released, the sleeves/condoms i already own look a lot nicer than that thing...though 2 are already falling apart (due to replacing the batteries over and over). im just getting them as replacements for when my current ones die.
These cushion things look so ridiculous that I'm actually thinking of ordering my free one just because it's so stupid!