Computer and Video Games reports on a rumor that the always on connectivity of the Wii's WiiConnect24 is being blamed for downing some of the consoles.

The site points out that a number "disgruntled gamers" are blaming the service for causing their Wiis to stop working. Hardly scientific, but the site does point out that while the power consumption is miniscual when in the connect mode, the fans aren't running either, so it can warm up. Anecdotally, my Wii gets slightly warm when "off" but never hot at all.

Nintendo Europe dismissed the speculation:

Nintendo has told CVG: "we've had no reports in the UK of anything like this happening," and advises users to contact the Nintendo Service Centre for further advice on 0870 60 60247 should a fault occur.

The only thing I've noticed personally, is that within the past month or so I've had to twice physically unplug and then replug the Wii's power supply to get it to work. Otherwise the thing looked dead, not even a light on. But again this is just recent and only has happened twice.

Right now I'd say this is just a rumor, a case of premature dot-connecting.

WiiConnect24 breaking Wii consoles [CVG]

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