Nintendo recalls lapel pins

Publisher says it will replace free of charge lead-paint-contaminated emblems sold at Nintendo "Fun & Games" and Nintendo World Store between 2004 and 2007.

Product recalls are nothing new in the gaming industry, but typically the objects of concern have to do with the electronics themselves. Such is not the case with Nintendo's latest recall. The publisher said today that it is recalling all lapel pins sold or given away as promotional items at its Nintendo "Fun & Games" employee store in Redmond, Washington, and its Nintendo World Store in New York, New York, between 2004 and 2007.

These lapel pins should not be ingested, for a variety of reasons.

According to Nintendo, the lapel pins are coated by paint that contains an unsafe level of lead, as determined by US government regulations. The pins, which measure approximately 1/2 inch to 2 inches per side, depict various Nintendo characters, and Nintendo said it will be replacing the items with uncontaminated versions free of charge. More information on the recall is available on Nintendo's Web site, and lapel pin owners can call Nintendo at (800) 431-0971 to arrange for replacement pins.

"Nintendo of America is working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to voluntarily recall character lapel pins that were sold in the US at company stores and given away as promotional items to employees of retailers who sell Nintendo products between 2004 and 2007," the publisher said in a statement. "The pins contain amounts of lead that potentially could cause health problems if ingested or swallowed. NOA purchased the pins from Bluegrass Promotional Marketing (Charlotte, NC), which imported them via Pro Source Inc. (Troutdale, OR). By their nature, these lapel pins are not intended for children, but NOA is voluntarily informing consumers about this issue and encouraging them to return them to NOA. Nintendo of America apologizes for any inconvenience this causes lapel pin owners."

Lapel pins aren't the first items recalled by Nintendo in recent years. Following the Wii's launch in November 2006, the publisher said it would replace free of charge Wii Remote wrist straps following reports that the tethering device was snapping under extensive play. That same day, the publisher also said it would be recalling faulty Nintendo DS chargers sold in Japan, saying they were prone to overheating.

46 Comments

  • EdwardoMario16

    Posted May 1, 2008 3:38 pm PT

    The Kirby Pin looks appetizing. It must taste like strawberries.

  • Trashcan_Man

    Posted May 1, 2008 3:18 pm PT

    I wanna Starman [EB] pin!!!!

  • BtmnHatesRbn

    Posted May 1, 2008 6:28 am PT

    And this is news how? Oh, I see, any story to knockdown Nintendo. Seriously, who cares about lead in a pin? (And watch the GameSpot morons come out now with dumb responses.)

  • Phoenix2Raven

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 10:45 pm PT

    kinda funny cause some people still have lead in their heads, cause they use to drill that right into ur teeth for cavities here. now they are sooo concern cause its in some toys. fine get rid of the toys but they are blowing it way out of proportion. like americans dont make similar stupid decisions in regards to health safety.

  • PhantomPhoot

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 7:35 pm PT

    This whole lead thing is overblown. Everything has lead in it, and it seems like a ploy to get people to stop buying Chinese products. I mean, seriously, how can the people inspecting these things not realize this until it's too late?

    This lead-based moment was brought to you by Fox News: "We Scare Because We Care".

  • psp8976

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 5:34 pm PT

    do not jinx it man just do not jinx it okay

  • shoeman12

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 4:23 pm PT

    jeez, nearly every day they find lead in something new.

  • quincy0191

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 3:48 pm PT

    Know what else is dangerous? Eating sharp and pointy things no matter how much lead they have in them.

  • VenomRitual

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 9:00 am PT

    it's a pin thoug. how many people go putting them in their mouth?

  • kavadias1981

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 8:51 am PT

    I wish there was a Ninty world in my city, doh!

  • Rect_Pola

    Posted Apr 30, 2008 5:28 am PT

    The thought process of little kids is on par with the average housepet:

    Food goes in my mouth.
    If I can fit it in my mouth, it must therefore be food.

  • Gamer-XZ

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 9:41 pm PT

    Recall, well I guess it's for the- wait a sec, I just ate a whole box of them. ...I'm dead, arent I?

  • MamoruNoHakkyou

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 8:39 pm PT

    I actually got the Samus pin back in July 2006. I must say swallowing the pin has never crossed my mind. As for the replacements, the site says it will be of a different character (seeing as how they aren't selling these designs anymore...) I don't think I would want to get rid of Samus even if she is dangerous if swallowed. I'm going to call and see what other options they have for exchange.

  • Ultima-Chocochu

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 8:39 pm PT

    Nice
    I can't not understand that I is not spose to eat, It look so delicious
    Kirby pink marshmallow YAY!

    I love Nintendo though, least they're replacing them, even though I don't see anyone eating them, some kids are stupid XD

  • Onsokuni

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 8:05 pm PT

    What? Why recall? Mine tasted fine...

  • AvIdGaMeR444

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 7:49 pm PT

    Teh Nintendo is trying to poison your children! Run!

  • Tylendal

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 7:41 pm PT

    They're recalling lapel pins because they're dangerous when ingested? o_0

  • SmArTaLeC1321

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 7:27 pm PT

    Save the children Nintendo! Oh wait it's your fault if they die from lead poisoning....

  • ocdog45

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 5:58 pm PT

    whomp whomp!

  • awssk8er716

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 5:50 pm PT

    Maybe they were safe pins to digest, and taste really good!
    Nintendo recalled them to eat them because the pins are so delicious!

    Well thats my theory.

  • Vash67

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 5:44 pm PT

    Well, as far as I know, nobody has died from eating these yet so maybe Nintendo is lying. Maybe they are safe to eat! Maybe they want to give you the ones that aren't safe to eat. They'd do that.

  • diablo_del_bano

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 5:43 pm PT

    "These lapel pins should not be ingested, for a variety of reasons."

    Aside from very small children, who the hell eats pins?

  • nate1222

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 5:01 pm PT

    Let me guess: They were made in China....

  • Yo-gan

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 4:53 pm PT

    I agree with louzero

  • Killer2401

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 4:49 pm PT

    LOL towel!!!

  • AngelCage

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 4:41 pm PT

    "The pins contain amounts of lead that potentially could cause health problems if ingested or swallowed ... By their nature, these lapel pins are not intended for children"

    Ha! cause i know a lot of adult persons who really like put weird things on their mouths... emm... ok, maybe that sounds bad. I was trying to said something like "only little kids swallow these kind of things, not an adult... a normal one"

    It's a shame that these producs by nature aren't intended for childrens (the kind of childrens who actually like to eat whatever they see), but in general and by nature too, every single nintendo product ARE intended to childrens... i simply can't respect a pro who uses a warrio pin in his suit... pity.

  • xatman911

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 4:21 pm PT

    May be if you can collect enough of them , you can make yourself those lead aprons for bad/nuclear cooking at home. lol. Its funny how lead causes so much trouble in inner body when you compare it with benefits it offers against radiation.

  • peeweeshift

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 4:21 pm PT

    lol just keep them of reach of children, its not like your gonna swallow it.

  • louzero

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 4:19 pm PT

    You know they may have made a mistake, but at least Nintendo is humble enough to admit they made a mistake. Sony or Microsoft wouldnt have been so cool about this.

  • towelie892

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 3:36 pm PT

    Recall?! But they're so delicious!

  • cfamgcn

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 3:23 pm PT

    At least they do recognize these kind of things...

  • mariomusicmaker

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 3:06 pm PT

    Wow, took them a long time to catch this one.... good oll lead paint. great for unwanted pregnancy's... i said nothing...

  • Ted_Zanarukando

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 2:42 pm PT

    These lapel pins must have been made in (the People's Republic of) China. If it contains lead paint, then it must be made in China. Instead the lapel pins should be made in a country besides China.

  • Storm_Marine

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 2:26 pm PT

    "By their nature, these lapel pins are not intended for children"

    LOL.

  • cancer_777

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 2:17 pm PT

    ... does anyone know anything about manufacturing?/? Nintendo doesnt make the pins they most likely got a chinese third party to make them (and no im not profiling there are lots of chinese made products with lead out there) the real fault on Nintendo was not to test the final product.

  • Gravidtron

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 2:08 pm PT

    Recalled!? What the hell am I going to garnish my sandwiches with now?

  • icym

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 1:57 pm PT

    but... leed be guhd! GUHD LEED!

  • chansaet posted Apr 29, 2008 1:56 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    chansaet

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 1:56 pm PT (hide)

    Tsk Tsk Tsk nintendo for even selling label pins with lead.

  • mhder

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 1:39 pm PT

    "lol a pokemon product not intended for kids. bull crap its not intended for kids." I only see one pokemon there.

  • Proust

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 1:15 pm PT

    Lead-paint? Cutting some corners Nintendo? Right now Greenpeace members around the world are all thinking 'I told you so'.

  • dipper145

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 1:10 pm PT

    between 2004 and 2007? Nintendo was selling lead painted pins for 3 years? Wow. Thats pretty bad. If you already ate your pin be prepared for a bunch of serious problems later down the line that will lead(haha) to your eventual death.

  • mikethemonkey

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 1:10 pm PT

    Oh crap! I've been sitting here licking my lapel pin for weeks! Please say it isn't so! I'm dying! WHY ME???

  • dannyaq posted Apr 29, 2008 12:31 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    dannyaq

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 12:31 pm PT (hide)

    lol a pokemon product not intended for kids. bull crap its not intended for kids.

  • ColdfireTrilogy

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 12:24 pm PT

    awwww don worry Phillie, the small lead content wont hurt you XD

  • dmcphillie

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 12:17 pm PT

    but, what if i already ate mine?? Eh

  • Jamaipanese

    Posted Apr 29, 2008 12:01 pm PT

    I wish I owned a couple -_-...rofl

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