Nintendo vows to replace 3.2m broken console straps

NINTENDO announced yesterday that it will replace 3.2 million straps for its popular Wii computer game controllers after receiving a rash of reports that the device flew out of players’ hands.

The console went on sale in Ireland and throughout Europe on December 8 and is tipped as a must-have Christmas gift.

The voluntary exchange program is a bittersweet development for Nintendo — a costly hitch in its three-way battle with Sony Corp’s PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Corp’s Xbox 360, but also confirmation of its enthusiastic reception.