Nintendo UK has learnt that several blocks of Nintendo DS Lite handheld consoles have been imported into the UK from countries not belonging to the European Economic Area. Some of these have had the original chargers substituted with a charger manufactured by a third party, with the aim of adapting them to the UK electrical system.

In addition, a number of third party chargers that often do not bear the CE mark and/or the name of the manufacturer are being sold separately as Nintendo DS, Nintendo DS Lite and Game Boy accessories.

Any third party chargers have not been subject to Nintendo’s strict testing and quality control procedures and, following reports in the market place, Nintendo is concerned that some of them may pose safety risks to consumers.  These chargers must be connected to the electric network, and in many occasions they are manipulated by children and teenagers. Nintendo has already been made aware of some actual chargers that could give rise to safety concerns, and therefore wishes to express its deep concern about them.

Moreover, notwithstanding the potential safety risks posed by some of these chargers, Nintendo is also concerned that consumers will not know they have purchased a third party charger or that the Nintendo DS Lite they have purchased has had the original Nintendo charger substituted with a third party charger, and therefore they will not know that any defects or damages that they may cause will not be covered by the Nintendo’s manufacturer warranty. 

Nintendo has brought this issue to the attention of Trading Standards and we are continuing to work alongside them, retailers and our legal teams to investigate and tackle the issue and source of the unsafe chargers. If anyone is worried or concerned that they might have a substituted, non-official charger, they should click here for a clear explanation that can help them determine if their charger is an official Nintendo product.