A Wii word of caution: Don't drink and play
PLAYING with a new Christmas Nintendo Wii video game console after a boozy Christmas lunch could see gamers spending Boxing Day in hospital.
Doctors have warned that playing action games that involve physical exertion could leave unsteady fans with broken bones, torn tendons and painful bruising.
They say hugely popular Wii Fit exercise routines that may involve players standing on a special “balance board” can be particularly risky after a generous portion of festive cheer.
Los Angeles doctor Maurice Meisler told the Sunday Express: “The dangers should be pretty obvious. Playing any game under the influence of alcohol is crazy. You’re almost inviting some form of personal injury.
“I’ve treated several people for injuries resulting from Wii play. One guy broke his collar bone after crashing into a coffee table trying to return service in the tennis version.
“It’s easy to forget when facing a giant TV screen that you’re actually trying to replicate your sporting heroes in a very confined space at home. There will undoubtedly be folks nursing Wii injuries here and everywhere else the game is sold over the festive period.”
US television fitness guru Michael Torchia even claims “slick advertising” for the Wii Fit exercise games contributes to obesity because people believe it actually makes them fit.
A Nintendo spokesman said: “We would never advise anyone to par-ticipate if their judgement was even slightly impaired.”