Increase in TV damage caused by the Wii console

The launch of Nintendo's innovative Wii console in 2006 was a major turning point in the video game industry, with the company promoting its product as a solution for the typical 'couch potato' image of the average gamer.




By encouraging more active and energetic participation than had been seen before in home video games, the Wii was embraced by many consumers as an effective way to keep fit while playing – though not all the news was positive, as news shortly followed that more exuberant players were causing damage not only to themselves, but also to their properties.




At the height of the console's popularity in the UK, NHS doctors claimed that 10 patients per week needed treatment due to excessive use of the console, which often requires users to stand and move their bodies along with the controller, rather than simply pushing buttons. While it was hardly Nintendo's intention for players to needlessly injure themselves through overenthusiastic playing, the company did respond promptly by issuing a set of safety warnings to users, covering everything from the need to take regular breaks, to advice on how far to stand from the television to avoid causing damage.

One of the primary culprits of damage is the game Wii Sports, which is bundled as standard with many consoles and includes a range of games from tennis to bowling, that can be played alone or in the company of friends and family. Users of this title have reported symptoms such as backache and knee problems, and a slippery grip can see hand-held controllers flying in the heat of the moment and causing all sorts of damage to home contents.




TV screens are not only in danger from being smashed by careless users, but some may also be damaged by static images left on the screen, when games are paused or when the action is relatively stationary. This ‘screen burn’ is not just a problem with the Wii, but has long been a concern of TV owners since the dawn of home video game consoles, especially those with an older TV. Nintendo advises users to check whether their television is compatible before attempting to use the Wii console with it.




Users who are concerned about the effects to their property can take out TV insurance to provide cover in the effect that it becomes damaged, though are advised to check whether this will cover accidental damage caused by stray controllers breaking the screen. Fortunately, many home contents insurance policies will provide cover for precisely this form of accidental damage.