Mario Party owners to get protective mittens

Fans of Mario Party will know all about blisters - half its mini-games involved twirling the stick around on your palm as if your life depended on it, leaving behind a legacy that's known in the medical profession as 'Mario Palm', an affliction similar to ISS Thumb and Joggers Nipple. So many players were struck down by the ailment that Nintendo were forced to drop stick-twirling in Mario Party 2.

Mario Party-induced repetitive strain injuries are now set to become a thing of the past - for US players, at least - because Nintendo of America have agreed to provide up to four protective gloves to every owner of the game. $80 million has been put aside.

We haven't managed to get out hands on any yet, but as soon as we do, you can rest assured that Ashwin will mysteriously disappear into the loos with them.