Cigarette Smoke Causes Nintendo Wii to Malfunction
As if there weren't enough risks related to smoking cigarettes, it is now being reported that prolonged exposure to second-hand smoke can cause serious damage...to your Nintendo Wii (product page). Essentially, the smoke damages the laser that reads Wii game discs.
Heightened international attention to the issue has coincided with the release of 'Super Smash Bros Brawl,' the latest installment of the Mario Bros franchise. The new game, which was released in the United States on Sunday, contains so much data that it had to be produced on a double-layer DVD. This amount of data requires significantly higher levels of accuracy from the internal laser that helps "play" the disc, and thus amplifies any deficiencies inherent within the system. Apparently, second-hand smoke can seep into the Wii itself and leave residue or other contamination on the laser's lens, thus interfering with the ability of the console to run a game.
If you find yourself unable to host Wii parties due to this issue, rest assure: Nintendo has promised to fix the problem for you. Simply ship the product back -- for free -- to the company. For more information, go to Nintendo's Web site.
From BostonHerald
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
msud434 @ Mar 13th 2008 3:21PM
Nintendo shouldn't have many shipped back. Most people that smoke probably can't even play the Wii because you have to actually move instead of sitting on a couch.
handymf4u @ Mar 13th 2008 3:37PM
Yea msud 434, because everyone that smokes is lazy. What an idiot you are.
Im a carpenter and I'm on my feet, up and down latters, and I carry heavy materials all day every day, and guess what? YES I smoke and have a Wii, but my guess is that if you are anything like you sound, I could run circles around you any day. How much do you weigh anyhow?
Seb @ Mar 13th 2008 5:44PM
seriously, msud434, i'm nineteen and it's not uncommon at all for me to get my friends together and for us to smoke cigarettes and play video games, especially the wii. i smoke, and i run every morning. not lazy, and my lung capacity hasn't even decreased that much. so stop being an ass and shut up before you accidentally say something that's relevant.
BULLS**T @ Mar 13th 2008 6:38PM
What a load of Crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I bet there is more second hand POT smoke than cigarettes. BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING!!!!!!!!!!!
danielle @ Mar 13th 2008 6:38PM
and marijuana smoke too......
the salesperson told us this when we bought the Wii 6 months ago. CAUTION.
Phil @ Mar 13th 2008 10:18PM
Whether smokers want to believe it or not, tobacco smoke does foul electronics. They may not notice that it's coating their walls and ceilings and staining their teeth and fingers, but it is dirty.
msud434 @ Mar 14th 2008 8:59AM
So, handy and seb. It is better to be a smoker than a non-smoker? I guess it is also better to booze it up while playing a Wii? Seb, I think it's funny how you state that your lung capacity has decreased "that much". So it has decreased some. And how sad it is that you have to resort to name calling because you can make a point. And Handy, just b/c you are a construction worker makes you fit? A job that is so tough, most go to work drunk and drugged all day long.
Coastal Postal @ Mar 27th 2008 12:51AM
The idea that some manufacturer would actually take responsibility for contamination to the console caused by smoking amazes me! WTF! It makes as much sense as saying if you piss on your Wii it will damage the laser, but if you send the unit in, we'll fix free... Personally I think the whole idea is bullshit and that smokers should just be warned about damage caused by smoke and the manufacturer not cover subsequent damage caused. ALL electronics ARE subsequently damaged by the coating casued by smoking. That sticky tar coating is corrosive and micro-miniature components will fail over time. But telling smokers to quit is obviously a waste of time, so be sure you take full advantage of this free benefit until Nintendo finally realizes the futile nature of this offer.
Tad Dow @ Apr 17th 2008 3:44AM
The smoke had nothing to do with the SSBB/Wii recall. It was crappy, cheap-o lasers Ninty put in the launch Wii's because they never really thought about having to deal with DVD9's or other dual-layer discs, ie, the kind that Smash Bros was the first to use..
They were saving face by blaming smoke AND dust. Of course, it's a factor, but not the huge ones cost and short-sightedness turned out to be. That's why it was free to "clean" them.
Do some research before you use this idiotically non-researched post to go on an anti-smoking, I'm holier than you rampage.