Hand Injuries Prompt Nintendo to Provide Protective Gloves for "Mario Party" Video Game Users

Redmond, WA (SafetyAlerts) - Nintendo of America, Inc. has agreed to provide protective gloves to all consumers throughout the nation who own the "Mario Party" video game.  Nintendo had received numerous complaints that children unexpectedly sustained hand wounds while playing certain segments of this video game. The hand injuries included burns, lacerations, punctures, cuts, bleeding, tearing and blistering of skin.

Mario Party is a popular video game marketed to children between the ages of 7 - 13 and played on the Nintendo 64 home game system, which consists of a game deck and a hand-held controller with a plastic control stick with grooves etched into a circular tip.

This video game features numerous mini-games, five of which present a risk of hand injuries. In those game segments, children are encouraged to use all their might to rapidly rotate the joystick to succeed at various virtual tasks.

The mini-games associated with the injuries include: Paddle Battle, Tug O'War, Pedal Power, Cast Aways, and Deep Sea Divers, along with a practice game feature, Mecha Fly Guy.

Consumers consistently have reported that they needed to use the palms of their hands to rotate the joystick with sufficient speed to succeed at those game segments, resulting in injury.

As of January, 2000, approximately 1,150,000 Mario Party games had been distributed throughout the United States.

Nintendo will provide up to four protective gloves to each household of consumers who own the video game, representing a commitment by Nintendo of up to $85 million.

In order to obtain a protective glove, consumers should contact Nintendo at (800) 521-0900.

Notice of this product warning was sent via email to SafeMail subscribers March 9, 2000.

Safety Alerts compiles comprehensive safety recall information for the United States. SafeMail is a free email service to warn consumers of faulty products and contaminated foods. For complete information regarding current recalls, past recalls and timely product warning notification visit: www.safetyalerts.com.

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