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Wii Remote charger recalled

Psyclone and React controller recharge stations yanked from shelves due to overheating battery packs causing burns.

Metaphorically, the Wii has been the hottest console in the game industry for years. Now, though, a third-party peripheral for the game is being recalled for generating dangerous amounts of actual heat.

Rarely malfunctioning consumer product...or silent searer?

Rarely malfunctioning consumer product...or silent searer?

Some 220,000 battery charger accessories for the Wii were recalled this week by distributor Griffin International. The battery packs have a problem with overheating, which poses a fire hazard and can burn users. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Griffin received six reports of overheating problems related to the product, with two people suffering minor burns on their hands.

The $50 4-Dock Battery Recharge Stations have been sold since January 2008 under the React brand name at Best Buy stores and under the Psyclone Essentials label at Target, Toys 'R' Us, and Amazon.com.

"We have chosen to voluntarily recall the Psyclone and React Wii 4-Dock Recharge Station products upon learning of extremely isolated cases of the battery overheating, causing the batteries in the unit to short circuit," Psyclone said on its Web site. "Even though the number of cases is very small, we are committed to ensuring our customers are completely satisfied with our products."

The Psyclone page contradicts the USCPSC notice of the recall, saying the company is aware of only four units having problems, with no injuries reported. Griffin advises consumers to stop using the recharge stations immediately and contact the company at 888-344-4702 or e-mail productsafety@psyclonegamer.com to return the product for a free replacement.

39 Comments

  • shadowysea07

    Posted Aug 30, 2009 11:19 am GMT

    wow thats stupid who would buy a 50 dollar charger? you can get them for 20 at walmart

  • RealityFan2686

    Posted Aug 21, 2009 4:14 pm GMT

    Does that count if you already have the charger??

  • chedder221

    Posted Aug 14, 2009 7:06 pm GMT

    good thing i just get the rechargable batteries

  • eYesEEDeaDppL

    Posted Aug 14, 2009 12:38 pm GMT

    Good thing I have Nyko...

  • gameking5000

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 11:19 pm GMT

    Safety first =)

  • FarmFreshDX

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 8:39 pm GMT

    nini, you're definitely over-reacting. "Wii Remote charger recalled" doesn't specify first or third party. Should they say "220,000 Wii Remote chargers by distributor Griffin International recalled?" I don't think that would fit on the front page.

  • ColonelX24

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 1:36 am GMT

    Hey Nintendo's lazy so I use rechargeable batteries they die you pop in the others charge the dead ones it works. Now this shows me I made the right choice not buying the charger. First the horse thing now this....

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Aug 13, 2009 1:07 am GMT

    Test it properly first and then release it. It isn't difficult, it just shows laziness and lack of consideration for your consumers.

  • 1357900

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 7:35 pm GMT

    @ Kbs64: I also use the Energizer 2200 mAh rechargeable, b/c I can use the batteries for other things, too. Not to mention, I head a lot of charger cradles were unsafe. The new, & current UL label is a reflective holographic. There are a bunch of knock-off UL label clones. Some of the knock-off labeled devices are ok, while some are fire traps.

  • DeeCrutch

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 4:08 pm GMT

    This was my biggest problem when I was considering buying a Wii for my kids. It bugged the hell outta me that Nintendo didn't have its own 'official' charger, so I either would have to buy batteries all the time or go the rechargeable AA route, which I am gonna do at some point.

    For the record, I have the 360 recharge station, and I haven't had any problems at all with it. The batteries get a little warm while they are recharging, but that is to be expected. Other than that, it has worked like it was supposed to and I am satisfied with it.

  • ahyumifan

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 4:05 pm GMT

    I just use AA batteries. They are much better. 36 batts at 10 bucks of so in Costco.

  • Generic_Dude

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 3:54 pm GMT

    I got the 2-controller charger -- I hope there's nothing wrong with those too. On an unrelated note, it's a cheap POS and the prongs got stuck in one of the battery packs and bent to the point of not being useable anymore, so it's really a 1-controller charger now, lol.

  • Kbs64

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 3:53 pm GMT

    @snake2215449:

    I bought the Engergizer Batteries too then I switched to the Energizer Rechargable 2200 mAh) and I've had it over 1 1/2 with only 4 batteries. They are showing their age now but they still last 17+ hours. I use to be able to get at least 25-30+ hours when they were new. They've saved me so much money!!!

  • hatieshorrer

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 3:53 pm GMT

    Thats why I only buy Nintendo licensed products for my Nintendo stuff.

    @bulletsword

    You have a point I use rechargeable AA batteries on my Wii.

  • crunchb3rry

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 3:50 pm GMT

    I've noticed the 360 battery packs get hot as hell when you recharge them. You have to set the controller upside down or they get extremely hot if there's no airflow around it.

  • bulletsword

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 3:48 pm GMT

    Nyko's got the charging things done right, but I dont see why Nintendo doesn't have their own since the other two consoles have them. the Wii even has two perfectly good USB ports.

  • Genexi2

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 3:46 pm GMT

    Damn, $50? You can buy two packs of 4 rechargable batteries with charger for that price.

    Not to mention standard rechargable AAs are not just limited to the controller....

  • Kbs64

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 3:46 pm GMT

    You know maybe this is the reason why Nintendo was agaist making a rechargable Wii Remote Station ... Any thoughts???

  • HyruleanLink

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 3:30 pm GMT

    Wow. I am glad I stuck to regular old batteries.

  • nini200

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 3:14 pm GMT

    so true mhder. At first, I thought it was actually a 1st party Nintendo Product that was doing this based on what the gamespot article stated, but then once I read it, they say it's a third party product. They make it seem as if it is a first party Nintendo product in the headlines to try and help their precious overheating 360 gain some clout on Nintendo. Good try GS, but this is yet another failed attempt at trying to belittle Nintendo.

  • mhder

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 3:03 pm GMT

    Amazing people would blame nintendo for a 3rd party product on this board. Blame yourself for not buying a standard battery charger. A wii-mote charger LIMITS you to only charging that, a battery charger can be used for other things too. Makes no sense to me why people would buy something that can only be used for one device. But since I'm reading the very original "wii is collecting dust" comments again, I guess I shouldn't expect much from today's so called core gamers.

  • Serraph105

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 2:41 pm GMT

    I still dont get why Nintendo didnt come outwith their own battery charger

  • Stonetowerghost

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 2:30 pm GMT

    Shut off the rumble and sound if u want to get the most outta ur battery. I compared the options at one point, and my remote lasted TWICE as long with no rumble/charge.

  • snake2215449

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 2:23 pm GMT

    I use Energizer Lithium for my Wii Remote, and it finishes after about 2 months, playing 1 hour a day..... so I dont need any charger

  • Sharhan96

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 2:20 pm GMT

    the wii mote also seems to have flaws, to those that dont have a battery charger get one, because the mote has to be placed in a place untouchable because the slightest movement can result in wasting batteries, the problem with the wii mote is that it doesnt have a button that needs to pressed that turns the wii mote on like the 360's or ps3 controllers. instead any button that is touched will make it shine on and off......gets annoying.

  • D3A7HJ0K3R

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 2:20 pm GMT

    just buy a wall battery charger, take em out , let them charge overnight, put in the remote, then yell at nintendo for their crap happy games.

  • D3A7HJ0K3R

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 2:18 pm GMT

    why would someone buy this anyway,

  • Linkman0714

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 2:15 pm GMT

    lol this would be a problem for me if i actually played my wii but since nintendo keeps making crap all mine does is collect dust

  • Cwagmire21

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 2:14 pm GMT

    You get what you pay for.

  • KBABZ

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 2:10 pm GMT

    Well they have a good initiative, usually it has to be a high rate of failure or risk to user for them to be recalled, instead of the reported 6 out of 220,000.

  • Petri87 posted Aug 12, 2009 1:40 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Petri87

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 1:40 pm GMT (hide)

    Keep our children safe from Nintendo! They are trying to burn down our houses whit the help of third party hitmen.

  • atopp399

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 1:33 pm GMT

    I just use Duracell rechargeables. I am still on my first set.

  • ChAoS_UNLEASHD

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 1:20 pm GMT

    third party manufacturer's FTL, atleast these ones anyway, i've never even heard of them

  • tremor33

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 1:04 pm GMT

    It's easier to buy rechargeable batteries than a wiimote stand. I had the Nyko one and it sucked.

  • GameBeaten

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 1:01 pm GMT

    This is what you get from third-party periphrals.

  • monson21502

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 12:59 pm GMT

    the wii motes should be recalled also. everytime i went to play my wii the i had to put new batteries in them.i would only play it every other week if i was lucky. and only play a few games at a few hours at a time. the wii mote turns on to easy. you almost have to hang them up so nobodys breathes on them

  • NuKkU

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 12:42 pm GMT

    lol thats pretty funny i bet Nintendo will hurt a bit from this

  • skullboy950

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 12:29 pm GMT

    Meh, not a very good peripheral anyway, Nyko's is much better.

  • bigM10231

    Posted Aug 12, 2009 12:21 pm GMT

    My Hand IT BUUUUUURRRRNNNSS!!!! from the acid

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