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Nintendo is Partnering With a Nonprofit to Bring Gaming Consoles to Hospitalized Kids

Nintendo is Partnering With a Nonprofit to Bring Gaming Consoles to Hospitalized Kids
Nintendo has partnered with a nonprofit to bring gaming consoles to hospitalized kids.

Starlight Nintendo Switch Gaming stations have been making their way to hospitals and health care facilities across the country.

Each station comes preloaded with more than 25 games from Super Mario Party to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

The station is specially designed and manufactured by Nintendo for use in a hospital setting.

The device can be completely cleaned with disinfectant to meet a hospital's strict safety infection protocols and includes a mounted playback monitor that can roll anywhere in a hospital, so children can enjoy some of their favorite Nintendo video games from the comfort of their own hospital beds or in a playroom with a group of other children.

Gaming delivers happiness to kids stuck in the hospital by providing entertainment and much-needed distraction from stressful situations. According to Starlight Children's Foundation, it can even provide emotional support, resulting in reduced anxiety and improved mood.

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Doctors, nurses, clinicians, and child life specialists are able to use a single Starlight Gaming station in a variety of settings, from entertaining children during a relative's visit to the emergency room, to distracting kids during an otherwise painful medical treatment, to giving kids something fun to do during long periods of isolation or with a group of other kids, or helping them to relax and feel comfortable when communicating with caregivers about their diagnosis.

In 28 years, the partnership of Starlight with Nintendo of America has delivered Gaming stations to over 800 hospitals and healthcare facilities all over the country—bringing smiles to an estimated 11.6 million seriously ill children.

"Over the years, Starlight Gaming stations have provided millions of seriously ill children with the healing power of play, entertainment, socialization, and emotional support, and have helped to normalize an otherwise scary situation or setting for families," Adam Garone, CEO of Starlight, said. "We're so grateful to Nintendo and their employees for such a long and continuing partnership fueled by innovation, impact, and generous support."

"It's been our pleasure to work with Starlight and observe them bringing happiness to kids when they need it the most," Don James, Nintendo of America's Executive Vice President of Operations, added. "As with everything we do, we hope the new Starlight Nintendo Switch gaming stations will put smiles on the faces of children and their families."

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