Arm-wrestling arcade game breaks arms in Japan

A Japanese arm wrestling game is being withdrawn from arcades across the country after three players broke their arms, company officials said.

Arm Spirit, which is distributed by Atlus, is to be removed from 150 game emporiums as "a precaution".



"We think that maybe some players get over-excited and twist their arms in an unnatural way," company spokesman Ayano Sakiyama said.

"The machine isn't that strong, much less so than a muscular man. Even women should be able to beat it."

Arm Spirit gamers advance through 10 levels, pitting their strength against a French maid, a drunken martial arts master and a Chihuahua dog before reaching the final challenge - a professional wrestler.