TOKYO : The Japanese electronic game maker Nintendo said it would replace wrist straps on its new Wii console with a "newer version" after reports of controllers crashing into users' television screens.

But the company denied it was recalling the equipment, saying there was "no problem with the current wrist strap if it is used reasonably and instructions furnished by Nintendo in user manuals included with the game are followed."

"Nintendo is offering to replace the original version of the wrist straps for the Wii Remote with a newer version," the company said in a statement posted on its website.

"We have received some reports that when consumers swing the Wii Remote with the original version of the wrist-strap using excessive force and accidentally let go, the cord connecting the controller to the wrist strap can break, potentially causing the Wii Remote to strike bystanders or objects."

Earlier Friday, Nintendo spokesman Yasuhiro Minagawa said the first version of the controller strap "turned out to be insufficient in its strength for some customers" and would be replaced with a thicker one.

"The decision comes after reports that some users in the United States threw their controllers when playing with Wii sports software," he said.

The new Wii features a controller that can be used as a sword, tennis racket or car steering wheel in the games shown on screen.

Wii set itself apart from Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3 consoles by designing a system that got players moving and encouraged family or friends to join in the activity.

But websites dubbed "Wii have a problem" and "Wii damage" have chronicled injuries and wreckage reportedly inflicted by Nintendo game controllers sent awry in the heat of play by wild swipes, loose grips or snapped wrist straps.

Wii controllers have been hurled or thrust into television and computer screens, according to online accounts, breaking windows, glasses, dishes, stereos, walls and ceiling fans.

The official Wii website warns users to "hold the Wii Remote firmly and do not let go" when playing, while taking a moment to dry perspiring hands to prevent injury to people or damage to objects.

Nintendo, which launched the Wii in the United States last month and in Japan on Saturday, has been getting rave reviews for its new controller and games that shy away from blood-and-guts action.

The Wii outsold the rival PlayStation 3 by more than double in the United States in November, according to industry tracking group NPD, which estimates that Nintendo sold 476,140 of its Wii consoles against Sony's 196,580 PS3s.

Consoles shipped from early December already have the thicker strap.

Nintendo also said Friday that it would recall 200,000 AC/DC power adaptors for Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite portable game machines.

Nintendo said some adaptors supplied by Nagano Japan Radio Co Ltd (JRC) between January and October this year could generate excessive heat and possibly cause burn injury during charging.

Nintendo said to date, it had recorded nine such incidents of overheating. One such incident burned a hole in the body of the portable game machine but no injuries have been reported.

The Kyoto-based company said models with defective AC/DC adaptors were sold only in Japan.

Cumulative sales of Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite have so far reached 13 million units.