Back when the Wii was still new and exciting, there were widespread reports of people having their wrist straps breaking. These broken straps would lead to launched remotes, which led to broken windows, cracked TV screens, and even shattered fish bowls. I myself had a Wii-mote launch out of my hands during a rousing game of Wii-Tennis. Luckily the giant cardboard cut-out of Bruce Willis that stands in my living room stopped the Wii-mote from hitting the wall and breaking.

Nintendo listened to the concerns of its customers and made replacement straps available for free online. People got their new and improved straps, and the problem seemed pretty much solved. The new straps were thicker, stronger, and less likely to break and send your Wii-mote flying at your cat’s head. Yesterday, Nintendo took their wrist strap solution to the next level, by releasing a Wii Remote Jacket. As with the strap, gamers can get one for free by filling out a form at Nintendo’s website.

The Jacket fits around the Wii-mote much like a cell phone protector fits around a cell phone. It has extra padding, so that if the Wii-mote does manage to slip out of your hands, everyone within throwing range should be safe from harm. This will come as good news to people who constantly lose their grip and let their Wii-motes fly; but as even better news to their friends who have black eyes after nine holes of Wii-Golf with them.

- Jason Iatomasi