No more throwing Wii remotes through your LCD TV

New invention aims to prevent the Wii throw

Play Grip, Inc., an Atlanta-based startup that designs and markets video game accessories, introduces its first product designed to help prevent players from dropping or throwing their Wii Remote during game play.

The “Play Grip Leather” will be unveiled during the grand opening of the Sky Bar at STRIP in Atlantic Station on April 10, 2008 from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm with a Nintendo Wii available for attendees to play, using the new product. The Play Grip Leather is available at Amazon.com by searching “Play Grip”.

Play Grip, Inc. says the Play Grip Leather will give Wii players more protection against damage caused by Wii Remotes than is currently provided.

In late 2005, Nintendo, maker of the Wii was prompted to replace wrist straps with a stronger version, after initial reports of them breaking and launching the Wii Remote as a dangerous projectile. The Wii Remotes caused damage to home theater equipment, windows, walls, and other items. Later, Nintendo began shipping with each new console and Wii Remote, the Wii Remote Jacket, a rubbery cushion surrounding the game controller.

Although the Wii Remote Jacket may lessen the blow of impact, only the Play Grip Leather actually helps prevent players from accidentally dropping or throwing the game controller during game play.

“I saw a report of a three-year-old playing the Wii, and the little kid broke the TV when the Wii Remote flew out of his hand and right through the screen. He did everything he was told to do, strap and all. His face was crushed. That's when the idea hit me to actually tether the remote to the hand in some way,” says Sydney Lewis-Picard, President and CEO of Play Grip, Inc.

The Nintendo Wii is the most popular gaming console, with total world-wide sales of more than 22.5 million as of March 15^th, 2008, according to VGChartz.com, which tracks sales data for video games and consoles. The number of Wii Remotes shipped averages about two per console.