Broken Wii U Game Pad replacements will be available ‘for a fee’ says Nintendo

Yesterday I spoke to Nintendo and found out that gamers will need to keep their old Wii in order to transfer all of their Virtual Console/Wii Ware purchases to the Wii U.

I reached out to Nintendo again today to see if they could give me any details about how Wii U owners will replace broken Wii U Game Pads. Nintendo has said they won’t be selling them separately in America at launch. If you’re a gamer who is prone to accidents what will you do?

No matter how well you take care of your game controllers something bad may happen. Your children may think your Wii U Game Pad would make a good football, your dog may find it an entertaining chew toy or you may accidentally drop the controller in frustration during gameplay.

It happens. But if they aren’t selling the controller at retail how will users replace broken ones? Nintendo of America Representative Owen Allen shed some light on the matter.

Hello,

Thanks for writing. I can appreciate your interest in the Wii U! To address your inquiries directly, I can tell you that individual replacement Wii U GamePad controllers will be available from Nintendo Consumer Service for a fee. In regard to warranty coverage for that accessory, at this time no specific announcements have been made. However, it’s worth noting that Nintendo warranties do not cover physical damage.

Sincerely,

Owen Allen
Nintendo of America Inc.

First I will say I find it odd to hear the Wii U Game Pad, the console’s unique controller that is suppose to be the big selling point of the entire system is referred to as “that accessory”. Just a strange choice of words.

Individual replacement controllers being purchasable from Nintendo Customer Service is a good thing. It means we can at least get a second Wii U Game Pad shipped to us from Nintendo should you break the one that comes with your console.

But the important thing is how much this fee will be. Allen didn’t mention how much this fee would be and I’m sure Nintendo is still finalizing that right now. But many people are predicting that individual Wii U Game Pads could cost upwards of $150 at retail whenever they do release in America in stand alone packaging.

But if this fee is, say $50-$80 it would give gamers who make a mistake of leaving their controller in the wrong hands a solid discount.

Nintendo isn’t required to give anyone a discount on their own broken controllers. Like Allen points out, physical damage isn’t covered under the warranty and if Nintendo gives any discount for people looking to replace their broken controllers consider it a gift.

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Written by Kevin Femmel

Kevin is the editor-in-chief of Gimme Gimme Games.

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