Hospitalized kids across the country will soon be able to pass the time in a wholesome way thanks to a partnership between Nintendo of America and the Starlight Children’s Foundation, a nonprofit aiming to bring joy to seriously ill children and their families.
As part of the initiative, new Nintendo Switch gaming stations are currently being rolled out to children’s hospitals all over the United States, a project which debuted last year at the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital in Tacoma, Washington.
“The gaming stations are important distraction tools that normalize the health care environment and help kids through difficult experiences,” said Julie Hertzog, child life supervisor at Mary Bridge. “They provide choices for kids, motivate them, and give them the opportunity to have fun when it is needed most.”
The new gaming stations feature a Nintendo Switch console that is pre-loaded with 25 of the system’s best games, including classics such as “Super Mario Party” and “The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.” They are easy to clean and can be wheeled anywhere in the hospital — an added bonus at a time when many hospital playrooms are closed due to the pandemic.
